Overview
- Director Andrew Stanton confirmed that Jessie moves into the primary role for Toy Story 5, marking the first time the franchise is built around her rather than Woody or Buzz.
- The film’s main conflict pits traditional toys against a frog‑shaped smart tablet called Lilypad, which represents how modern devices can reshape children's play and social life.
- Toy Story 5 opens in cinemas on Friday, June 19, 2026, and Pixar and Disney are pushing premium formats, park tie‑ins, merchandise and a high‑profile soundtrack to drive the release.
- Early critical response is mixed: many reviewers praise Joan Cusack’s performance, the humor and the production values, while others say the story is overstuffed or heavy‑handed in its message about tech.
- The movie revisits Jessie’s abandonment backstory from earlier films and its tech theme ties into wider debates over children’s screen time, a topic likely to shape how parents and policymakers respond to the film.