Disney Pixar Rewrites Jessie’s ‘Toy Story’ History 27 Years Later

After three decades of adventures, heartbreak, and unforgettable friendships, Pixar is preparing to take the Toy Storyfranchise into entirely new territory.

Arriving in theaters on June 19, Toy Story 5 represents one of the most significant changes the series has undertaken since Woody and Buzz Lightyear first appeared on screen in 1995. While previous installments focused on rival toys, collectors, and even daycare politics, the upcoming sequel tackles a challenge far more familiar to modern families: technology.

The story centers on Bonnie, whose attention has increasingly shifted away from her toys and toward a new smart device named Lilypad, voiced by Greta Lee. The introduction of the tablet-like character creates a conflict unlike anything the franchise has explored before, forcing Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz (Tim Allen), Jessie (Joan Cusack), and the rest of the gang to confront a world where screens often take priority over traditional playtime.

It’s a notable evolution for a franchise that has long examined the relationship between children and their toys. Rather than revisiting familiar themes, Pixar appears ready to address how childhood itself has changed in the digital age.

The shift extends beyond the story’s central premise. Following Woody’s departure at the end of Toy Story 4 (2019), Jessie is expected to assume a much larger role in the narrative. The cowgirl has become one of Bonnie’s most important toys, positioning her as a key emotional figure for the franchise moving forward.

While Woody and Buzz remain central to the story, Toy Story 5 appears designed to broaden its focus and give other longtime favorites an opportunity to step into the spotlight. For Pixar, it’s a creative gamble that could redefine what audiences expect from the series.

Adding to the excitement, weeks of fan speculation surrounding Taylor Swift’s involvement in the project were confirmed earlier this week. The Grammy-winning artist has contributed an original song titled “I Knew It, I Knew You” to the film’s soundtrack. The country ditty will serve as Jessie’s signature song in the movie, giving the beloved cowgirl her own defining musical moment as she takes on a larger role within the story.

And, on the same day that Swift dropped her new music, Disney and Pixar have rewritten Toy Story history and given the first official look at Jessie’s original owner, Emily. Jessie first appeared in 1999’s Toy Story 2, where she tells Woody about her past owner, Emily. Audiences never saw Emily in the sequel movie, but now, 27 years later, she has been put front and center.

In an X post, the official Disney Studios Japan account shared a new trailer featuring Jessie and Emily, reframing the important “When She Loved Me” sequence from almost thirty years ago. The translated text reads:

July 3 Release “Toy Story 5”
🌟Emotional Japanese Trailer Unveiled🌟

Jessie’s happy memories.
And the painful farewell that arrives, along with encounters with friends👢

Jessie, who has found a new place to belong,
What can she do for Bonnie.

The bond between toys and humans
that “Toy Story” has depicted—its answer is here💫
Shed tears at that answer—

7/3公開『トイ・ストーリー５』
🌟感動の日本版予告解禁🌟

ジェシーの幸せな思い出。
そして訪れる辛い別れと仲間との出会い👢

新たな居場所を見つけたジェシーが
ボニーのためにできることとは。

「トイ・ストーリー」が描いてきた
おもちゃと人間の絆、その答えがここに💫
その答えに涙する― pic.twitter.com/oDMaNm3a6T

— ディズニー・スタジオ（アニメーション）公式 (@DisneyStudioJ_A) June 4, 2026

Toy Story 5 Could Become the Biggest Movie in the Franchise

With less than a month remaining until release, anticipation continues to build. If projections become reality, Toy Story 5 will not only introduce a bold new direction for Pixar’s most iconic franchise but could also establish itself as the biggest opening chapter in the series’ history.

The studio has assembled a veteran creative team to guide the next chapter. Andrew Stanton directs and writes the film alongside Kenna Harris, while Lindsey Collins serves as producer. Returning cast members will reprise their iconic roles, joined by several newcomers as the world of Toy Story continues to expand.

The stakes are particularly high given the franchise’s enduring box office appeal. Despite Pixar’s recent theatrical resurgence–with the likes of billion-dollar smash Inside Out 2 (2024) and the critically-acclaimed Hoppers (2026)–Toy Story remains one of Disney’s most valuable properties, and early projections suggest the fifth installment could deliver a record-breaking debut.

According to early industry tracking reported by Deadline, Toy Story 5 is expected to open to approximately $150 million domestically. Should those figures hold, the sequel would surpass Toy Story 4‘s $120.9 million opening weekend and claim the biggest debut in franchise history. There is even a possibility it could challenge Incredibles 2 (2018), which still holds the record for the largest domestic opening weekend ever for an animated film at $182.6 million.

For Disney and Pixar, it would be the clearest indication yet that the next era of Toy Story has officially arrived. The new Toy Story movie was announced years ago upon Bob Iger’s return to The Walt Disney Company, where he also announced sequels in the Frozen and Zootopia franchises. The latter, Zootopia 2 (2025), went on to become the highest-grossing Disney animated movie of all time.

But could Toy Story 5 take it down?

How do you feel about revisiting this iconic scene from Toy Story 2 and finally seeing Emily for the first time? Let us know in the comments down below!