Fans are starting to weigh in Toy Story 5 after Pixar released the film’s full trailer on Thursday, offering the first extended look at the long-awaited return of Woody, Buzz Lightyear and the rest of the beloved toy gang.
The trailer confirms that original voice stars Tom Hanks and Tim Allen are back as Woody and Buzz, along with Joan Cusack as Jessie.
It also introduces a new threat to traditional playtime in the form of Lilypad, a frog-shaped smart tablet voiced by Greta Lee that creates a clash between classic toys and modern technology.
The story centers on what happens when Bonnie’s toys find their roles challenged by the arrival of the high-tech device, raising a familiar question to the franchise: what is the purpose of a toy in a world increasingly dominated by screens?
The trailer shows Woody and Buzz reuniting to confront this shift, along with Jessie, Forky and others to protect Bonnie’s sense of play.
Toy Story 5 trailer: Fan reactions
Online reactions were swift and wide-ranging, with fans sharing humor, skepticism and cautious optimism.
One fan wrote: “Can’t wait for the Woody x Roblox collab,” while another added: “Can’t wait to rip my nieces and nephews off their iPads to take them to see this movie they’re learning nothing from.”
Some viewers focused on character development, particularly Buzz Lightyear’s recent portrayals.
One fan wrote: “Really hope they can bring Buzz back from being the boring useful idiot he’s turned into the last two movies,” while another added: “Only had one line at the end there but nice to know Mr. Potato Head was recast.”
Others welcomed the film’s apparent themes, even while acknowledging the franchise’s long history.
One fan wrote: “Personally, I think making the movie’s message about how kids have unlimited access to technology and the negative effects of copious amounts of screen time and social media is a good thing.”
Another chimed in: “Toy Story 3 was perfect and they never needed to continue this series but at least I thought Toy Story 4 was still shockingly good and looks promising to me.”
There were also reflections on the passage of time, both for the characters and the actors behind them.
One observer wrote, “I was going to say that Joan Cusack and some of the other VAs sound pretty old in the trailer, but I guess that could work given the message of the film.”
The voice cast largely reunites in the fifth installment, with returning performances from Tony Hale as Forky, Blake Clark as Slinky Dog, and many other familiar names, while newcomers include Conan O’Brien, who talks about a toilet-training tech toy called Smarty Pants.
Seven years after Toy Story 4comes the sequel as Pixar’s longest-running franchise continues to evolve.
Toy Story 5 is set to open in theaters on June 19, and if early fan reactions are any indication, the conversation around toys, screens, and childhood is already well underway.
