It’s been over five years since the last Toy Story film broke our hearts. But noughties fans can rest easy: the franchise has dropped a first look at the upcoming Toy Story 5 film, complete with a poster, teaser trailer, and some information about new characters.
In the teaser, we see our first glimpse of the antagonist: a high-tech smart tablet (suspiciously iPad like, in fact) in the shape of a frog called Lilypad. Voiced by Greta Lee, she’s shaping up to be the gang’s biggest threat so far, by competing with them for playtime.
The trailer doubles down on this. “In summer 2026, the age of toys is over?” the strapline reads – and as all the toys (hello, Potato Heads) clutch each other in fear, the tablet comes to life.
"Hi there, I'm Lilypad,” it says. “Let's play."
“It’s been a hilarious and poignant journey exploring how our favourite team of legacy toys might respond to today’s world of technology, and we’re thrilled to share this first glimpse with audiences,” director Andrew Stanton and co-director Kenna Harris said in a statement.
“Having the remarkably talented Greta Lee bring Lilypad to life — balancing a playfully antagonistic tone with humour and heart — has been incredible.”
The film will also see the return of our old favourites: Woody, voiced by Tom Hanks once more; Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) and Joan Cusack as Jessie. Tony Hale is also back, as the voice of Forky. In addition, Conan O’Brien will be joining the cast – apparently playing a high-tech toilet training toy called Smarty Pants.
Viewers have also been quick to point out a potential plot hole: at the end of the fourth film, Woody decided to leave the rest of the toys and stay with the ownerless Bo Peep.
"See but like how did Woody get back there after staying with Bo peep such a plot hole,” one user wrote on X, while another wrote, “they’re gonna pretend 4 didn’t exist because Woody is there with the others.”
Toy Story 5 will be out on June 19, 2026: all the more time to watch the originals once more.
The film series is one of the most successful of all time. Toy Story 3 became the first animated film to gross over $1bn in 2010, and the series has won four Academy Awards since the first film came out in 1995.
© The Standard Ltd