Pixar has provided fans with an exciting first look at the concept art for ‘Toy Story 5’, set to hit theaters in just a year. During the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in Annecy, France, on Friday, Pixar’s chief creative officer, Pete Docter, shared insights about the new journey of Buzz and Woody and hinted at other projects in the pipeline.
Attendees were treated to initial footage of ‘Toy Story 5’, showcasing Buzz Lightyear awakening on a beach, surrounded by numerous Buzz toys. These toys appear to have washed ashore after a shipping container fell overboard. As they regain their memories of serving Star Command, they devise a plan to escape the island by crafting a makeshift raft.
Docter also announced the return of Joan Cusack as the voice of Jessie, the beloved cowgirl doll first introduced in ‘Toy Story 2’. He presented fresh concept art featuring Jessie alongside Bullseye and Buzz, as they confront a new challenge: a frog-themed tablet named Lily Pad, which vies for Bonnie’s attention.
“It’s a new tech tablet, which allows Bonnie to chat with their friends and play games and other things too,” Docter explained during a presentation on June 5 in New York City. “But Lily can also be a bit sneaky and prickly to be around. And because, in her mind, it’s a lot better to be socialized, and Bonnie needs to move on from toys.”
The storyline will also depict Jessie managing Bonnie’s room in Woody’s absence, following the events of ‘Toy Story 4’, until Woody returns to reunite with his friends. “Woody is called back to help,” Docter revealed. “But it’s been a while since they’ve all seen each other, and he and Buzz don’t always see eye to eye.”
The film is directed by Andrew Stanton, known for classics like ‘Finding Nemo’ and ‘WALL-E’. Although this is his first directorial role in the ‘Toy Story’ series, Stanton contributed as a screenwriter for all four previous films. ‘Toy Story 5’ is set to release on June 19, 2026.
Tom Hanks and Tim Allen will reprise their roles as Woody and Buzz, respectively. Notably, Conan O’Brien has been cast as a new character named Smarty Pants, while Ernie Hudson will take over the role of Combat Carl, previously voiced by the late Carl Weathers in ‘Toy Story 4’.
In addition to ‘Toy Story 5’, Pixar also announced a new original film titled ‘Gatto’, scheduled for release in summer 2027. Set in Venice, the story follows a black cat named Nero who befriends a street musician while navigating challenges involving the feline mob. This film will be the second feature from director Enrico Casarosa, who previously created ‘Luca’, which spotlighted his Italian roots.
Docter shared that ‘Gatto’ aims to offer a unique visual style. “Venice is like a living painting,” he said on June 5. “We’re trying to bring the depth and dimension that you expect from a Pixar film, [while] at the same time capturing that painterly texture.”
Upcoming from Pixar is ‘Hoppers’, a comedy featuring young nature enthusiast Mabe as she strives to stop the construction of a highway threatening her woodland home. Footage from this project was also presented during the Annecy festival. Mabe finds herself hopping into the body of a robotic beaver, leading to an engaging adventure.
“Mabel hops into this adorable beaver,” Docter described on June 5. “It’s kind of like Avatar, but cuter when she first hops. It is an incredible experience: to now inhabit an animal body is absolutely surreal. She loves it. And going out into nature is a dream come true.”
Hoppers stars Piper Curda as Mabel, Jon Hamm as the antagonist Mayor Jerry, and Bobby Moynihan as King George of the beavers. It is set for release on March 6, 2026.