The announcement ofToy Story 5’s premise means that Andy probably won’t be returning in the movie, despite all the theories to the contrary — and for now, that’s a good thing. AlthoughToy Story 3was touted as the final chapter, and thenToy Story 4was touted as the final chapter, Disney still wants to make more money from this property, so it’s gotPixar working onToy Story 5. After Disney suffered a string of box office bombs, returning CEO Bob Iger decided to focus on sequels to the studio’s most reliable franchise — and that includesToy Story.
Most of the details aboutToy Story 5are being kept under wraps. Tom Hanks and Tim Allen are confirmed to return as the voices of Woody and Buzz. Andrew Stanton is co-directing the new sequel with McKenna Harris for a release date of June 10, 2025. At the D23 Expo earlier this year, some plot details were revealed aboutToy Story 5. It’ll revolve around the toys fighting technology for their kid’s attention, and it’ll also involve an army of Buzz Lightyear action figures being controlled by computers. This is a promising sign after allthose Andy return theories.
Toy Story 5’s Toys vs. Tech Premise Means There’s Little Room For Andy To Appear
It’ll Be Another Bonnie-Centric Story
As soon asToy Story 5was announced, theories started flying that Andy would return in the sequel. Andy passed on his toys to Bonnie before leaving for college inToy Story 3, but some fans expected him to come back inToy Story 5. Based on the story details and concept art revealed by Pixar,Toy Story 5seems to be about Bonnie choosing her iPad over her toys. This is a pretty straightforward premise for another standalone adventure with these toys thatdoesn’t suggest Andy will be part of the story in any way.
Toy Story Needs To Spend More Time With Bonnie Before Considering Bringing Andy Back
It’s Way Too Early For Andy’s Return
Whileit’s not a bad idea to eventually bring back Andyto be reunited with Woody, Buzz, and the gang,it’s far too early for the series to do that. The toys had three whole movies with Andy before being passed on to Bonnie. Audiences got to see Andy grow up — and, in many cases, grew up alongside him. So far, they’ve only had one movie (and a handful of shorts) with Bonnie. If they went back to Andy, or even just saw Andy again, inToy Story 5, then it would seem much too soon.
Toy Story 5 Reveals How It Can Bring Back A Woody Plotline Toy Story 4 Completely Forgot About
Although details about Toy Story 5’s plot are scarce, there is one confirmed element that can allow the movie to fix a shortcoming of its predecessor.
Andy didn’t pass on the toys until he was a fully grown adult leaving home. It made sense for him to give his toys to someone else, because he got too old to play with them himself. ButBonnie is still a little kid; she’s much too young to be giving her toys to another kid, or giving them back to the guy who gave them to her.
Andy Should Only Return When It’s Time For Toy Story To End For Good
Andy’s Return Can Bring The Series Full Circle
If Andy comes back too soon, it’ll undermine the beautiful finality of his departureinToy Story 3.The end ofToy Story 3felt like the end of an era. When Woody and Buzz watched Andy drive off to college and prepared to enter the next stage of their lives without him, it was the first time many kids felt a true feeling of loss and closure, and experienced an emotional farewell. If the franchise brings Andy back just a couple of movies later, it’ll ruin that. In some ways, continuing the series at all ruined that.
When Woody and Buzz watched Andy drive off to college and prepared to enter the next stage of their lives without him, it was the first time many kids felt a true feeling of loss and closure, and experienced an emotional farewell. If the franchise brings Andy back just a couple of movies later, it’ll ruin that.
ButToy Story 4managed to stick the landing, and hopefully,Toy Story 5can do the same. Andy should come back eventually — the toys (and the audience) deserve to see him one last time — buthe shouldn’t return until it’s time to endToy Storyfor good.Toy Storyhas supposedly ended for good twice now. Aftermarketing bothToy Story 3andToy Story 4as the final movieand then still making more, Pixar probably won’t make that mistake again.
It’s highly unlikely thatToy Story 5will really be the last film.Toy Story 6is inevitable to complete the current trilogy, thenToy Story 7,8, and9will probably follow. Disney won’t stop wanting Pixar to makeToy Storymovies until they stop making money, and they’re still a long way from losing their touch at the box office. When both studios do finally agree to end theToy Storysaga, it would be the perfect time for Andy to return and bring the series full circle.
Toy Story 5
Cast
Toy Story 5 follows Buzz, Woody, Jessie, and the rest of the gang as they confront a new challenge to playtime posed by advanced technology. Set to release in 2026, this installment continues the beloved Toy Story series with its familiar cast facing modern dilemmas.
