Let’s be honest: we all thought we were done crying after the fourth film. But Pixar has other plans. During a moving presentation at CinemaCon on 16th April 2026, the studio proved that there is still plenty of life—and a lot of heartbreak—left in the toy box. Toy Story 5, which lands in cinemas on 19th June 2026, is pivoting away from the "lost toy" themes of the past to tackle something much closer to home: the way screens are slowly replacing physical play. It’s a story that feels incredibly relevant for any parent (or former child) navigating the tablet era.

The New Kid on the Block (and She’s Digital)

The footage introduced us to the film’s new heavy-hitter, Lilypad. Voiced with a perfect "too-cool-for-school" tone by Greta Lee, Lilypad isn't a toy—she’s a tablet. She doesn't want to play pretend; she wants to manage Bonnie’s social life through dance groups and instant messaging. In one standout clip, we saw Jessie lose her cool when Lilypad essentially called her "vintage" (which is toy-speak for "obsolete"). It’s a bit of a gut-punch to see our favourite cowgirl trying to fight a device that Bonnie can’t seem to put down, and it sets up a conflict that feels a lot more grounded than your typical "evil toy" trope.

A Slightly Rougher-Around-the-Edges Sheriff

Then, there’s the big one: Woody is back. But if you were expecting the pristine sheriff of old, think again. The 2026 footage shows a Woody who has clearly been through it. He’s rocking a poncho, he’s got a bit of a "dad bod" going on, and there’s a very noticeable bald patch on his head. Seeing him reunite with Buzz was the highlight of the presentation, even if the two spent most of the time bickering over who was actually in charge. Despite the miles on his clock, Woody’s heart is still in the right place, reminding the gang—and us—that while tech can do everything, a toy is there for the one thing that actually matters: being a friend.

Why This One Feels Different

What really struck the audience at CinemaCon was how much this feels like a love letter to the "analog" childhood. Between the jokes about Woody’s new look and the slapstick of Jessie vs the Tablet, there’s a real sense of anxiety about what happens when kids stop making up their own stories and start following an algorithm. With Tom Hanks and Tim Allen returning to lend their iconic voices, the film feels like a warm hug that’s also trying to tell us something important. It’s shaping up to be the must-watch family event of the summer, and you’ll likely want to leave your own phone in your pocket for this one.

Rumour Has It: The animation team reportedly spent months studying how light reflects off cracked tablet screens to make Lilypad look as "real" as possible, ensuring that her presence feels like a genuine, cold intrusion into the warm, fuzzy world of Bonnie’s bedroom.