With “Inside Out 2” blowing the roof off the summer box office, Disney and Pixar are all steam ahead on the sequel train. Next up on the slate is a return to the IP that reshaped the world of animation, “Toy Story 5.” Disney CEO Bob Iger announced development on the new installment in early 2023, with a release date later being set for June 19, 2026. At the same time as Iger’s announcement came, Buzz Lightyear star Tim Allen also shared via X, formerly known as Twitter, that he would be lending his voice to the iconic character once again. Though it had been rumored Pixar brain trust member and creative mainstay Andrew Stanton would be directing the 5th entry in the long-running animated film series, his involvement was confirmed at D23 today, in addition to new details being revealed.
Stanton has contributed to every “Toy Story” script since the inception of the inaugural Pixar film, but this will be the first time he’s engaged on this IP as a director. Past Pixar films Stanton has directed or co-directed include “A Bug’s Life” and “Finding Dory,” as well as “Finding Nemo” and “WALL-E,” both of which earned him Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature.
The last installment in the franchise, “Toy Story 4,” garnered the series’ largest cash haul to date with over $1 billion at the global box office, as well as the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, a feat also managed by its predecessor, “Toy Story 3.”
At D23, in addition to Stanton being announced as the new film’s director, additional plot details were revealed. “Toy Story 5” will center around what happens to children when they start to become obsessed with electronics. A brief teaser was revealed as well and can be viewed below.
