It’s a new chapter for Pixar’s most iconic franchise–and this time, Jessie is stepping into the spotlight.
When Toy Story premiered in 1995 as the first fully computer-animated feature film, it redefined animation and storytelling. The movie grossed over $400 million globally, becoming the second-highest-earning film of its year and setting the stage for one of cinema’s most beloved franchises.
Since then, Pixar’s world of toys has expanded far beyond the big screen, inspiring television specials, short films, and immersive lands at Disney theme parks around the world.
After Toy Story 3 wrapped up the original trilogy in 2010, Toy Story 4 (2019) appeared to close the curtain on Woody and Buzz’s story. But in 2022, when Bob Iger returned as CEO of The Walt Disney Company, he confirmed new installments in several major franchises, including Frozen 3, Zootopia 2, and Toy Story 5. The latter is scheduled to hit theaters on June 19, 2026, with Zootopia 2 arriving first on November 28, 2025.
While Tom Hanks and Tim Allen are confirmed to reprise their roles as Woody and Buzz, some fans have questioned whether another sequel is necessary. Pixar, however, seems ready to take the series in a fresh direction.
At the end of Toy Story 4, Woody departed to help lost toys find new homes, leaving Jessie–voiced by Joan Cusack–in charge of Bonnie’s room, with Buzz acting as her second-in-command. According to Pixar, the upcoming film will explore how technology has transformed playtime, introducing a new character: a tablet toy named Lilypad.
Tim Allen teased earlier this year that Toy Story 5 is “a story about Jessie” and “very clever,” assuring fans it will be “worth it.” Appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, he added, “They reboot everything. It’s all about Jessie, which is really cool. She’s in trouble, and she needs help. We’re all over, so she has to gather everybody.”
Recent merchandise leaks shared by social media user Opposing Horse (@OpposingHorse) hint at Jessie’s expanded role and several new characters. T-shirts showcase Jessie labeled as the “Cowgirl in Charge” alongside new toys like Atlas the “chatty hippo” and Snappy the “cutest camera.” Another image shows Woody donning a poncho, sparking even more speculation about the film’s setting.
Earlier promotional material, showing Jessie surrounded by returning favorites like Rex, Hamm, and Dolly but without the Potato Heads or Slinky Dog, stirred online debate. Some fans speculated about the missing characters, posting comments like “NO POTATO HEADS THIS IS TERRIBLE” and “Woke incoming.” However, many noted that Don Rickles (Mr. Potato Head) and Estelle Harris (Mrs. Potato Head) passed away in 2017 and 2022, respectively. Pixar honored Rickles in Toy Story 4 through archived voice recordings.
Despite the speculation, Disney and Pixar confirmed the return of Slinky Dog, Forky, and Bullseye. Ernie Hudson joins as the new voice of Combat Carl, succeeding the late Carl Weathers, while Conan O’Brien voices a new toy named Smarty Pants. Anna Faris will reportedly voice Lilypad.
Jessie’s long-awaited time to shine has finally arrived–and with new characters, fresh ideas, and Pixar’s trademark heart, Toy Story 5 looks poised to usher the franchise into a new era.
