‘Toy Story’ Franchise Will Change Forever Next Month, Fourth Movie To Be Taken Down

The Toy Story franchise will change forever next month when the fifth film in the beloved series is released worldwide.

For nearly three decades, Pixar’s Toy Story franchise has remained one of Disney’s most reliable box office powerhouses. From Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz Lightyear’s (Tim Allen) first adventure in 1995 to the emotional farewell delivered in Toy Story 4 (2019), each installment has left a lasting mark on audiences. Now, the franchise is preparing for what could be its biggest shake-up yet.

Rather than simply revisiting familiar territory, Toy Story 5 (2026) introduces a dramatically different premise. The story centers on a battle between traditional toys and modern technology, exploring how children’s play habits have evolved in a world increasingly dominated by screens and digital devices.

At the heart of that conflict is Bonnie, whose attention is no longer focused solely on her toys. Instead, she becomes attached to a new piece of technology known as Lilypad (Greta Lee), a smart tablet that quickly changes the dynamic within her room. The introduction of Lilypad signals a significant departure from previous entries in the franchise. Instead of facing rival toys, collectors, or daycare centers, Woody, Buzz, and their friends must confront something far more relevant to modern childhood.

For the first time, Jessie (Joan Cusack) is expected to take on a substantially larger leadership role within the story. Following Woody’s departure at the end of Toy Story 4, the cowgirl has become one of the central figures among Bonnie’s toys, positioning her as a key emotional anchor for the fifth installment. That shift represents one of the most significant changes Pixar has made to the franchise since its inception. While Woody and Buzz remain vital parts of the story, Toy Story 5 appears ready to expand its focus and allow other characters to step forward.

Disney and Pixar clearly believe audiences are ready for that evolution. The studio has assembled an experienced creative team for the project, with Andrew Stanton directing and writing alongside co-writer Kenna Harris and Lindsey Collins producing. Returning cast members will once again bring fan-favorite characters to life while a host of new faces join the expanding world of Toy Story.

Pixar has enjoyed renewed theatrical success in recent years, but Toy Story remains one of the studio’s most valuable brands. A strong performance would further cement the franchise’s place at the top of family entertainment while demonstrating that audiences are still eager to see these characters embark on new adventures.

When Toy Story 5 arrives in theaters on June 19, Disney and Pixar are expected to rewrite the record books. Early industry tracking, per Deadline, suggests the sequel could open to around $150 million domestically, a figure that would surpass Toy Story 4‘s $120.9 million opening and make the new film the biggest opening weekend in franchise history.

If projections hold, Toy Story 4 will effectively be knocked off its pedestal, losing its position as the highest-opening film in the beloved series. For Disney, it would mark another major milestone for a franchise that many believed had already reached its natural conclusion. There is also a chance it could fly past Pixar’s Incredibles 2 (2018), which still holds the highest domestic opening for an animated movie in history at $182.6 million.

The impressive projections come as Pixar takes one of its biggest creative risks in years. Just as importantly, it would prove that Pixar can successfully evolve one of its most iconic properties without relying entirely on nostalgia. Not only that, but anticipation surrounding Taylor Swift’s rumored role in the project continues to grow, with a mysterious cloud-themed countdown appearing on the Grammy Award-winner’s website a few weeks ago and now a billboard sporting the same clouds and a big “TS” being spotted in public.

With less than a month remaining until release, all signs point toward a major box office event. Should current projections become reality, Toy Story 5 will not only introduce sweeping changes to the franchise itself—it will also dethrone Toy Story 4 as the series’ opening-weekend champion.

For Disney and Pixar, that would be the clearest sign yet that the next chapter of Toy Story has truly arrived.

What are your thoughts about the upcoming Toy Story 5 movie? Let us know in the comments down below!