Although I’m a massive fan of the franchise, I can’t help but feel likeToy Story 5is pretty unnecessary, but I would look forward to the fourth sequel much more if the overall arc were to take a specific and intriguing turn. WithToy Story 5’s release dateconfirmed as June 01, 2025, there’s still a notable wait until the movie hits cinema screens. The story details so far are very sparse. While manycharacters could return inToy Story 5, some comebacks would make far more sense than others.
TheToy Story 5reveals as D23 prove that the core group of characters will play a role, but just how prominent they will be remains vague. The confirmation of Tom Hanks and Tim Allen reprising their respective roles as Woody and Buzz Lightyear is welcome news. However, the franchise’s potential future may depend on a character overhaul - and it should begin withToy Story 5. Otherwise, other sequels could become even more stagnant. At this point, I have almost no doubt they’ll continue to make Pixar a lot of money, but the franchise’s long-term creativity must be considered.
Toy Story 5 Moving Away From Woody And Buzz Would Make The Sequel Worth It
Pixar needs to introduce new main characters to make sure the Toy Story franchise can move on
Buzz and Woody have long been the talismans of theToy Storyfranchise- even if the fourth movie was essentially aToy Story 3epilogue focusing on Woody’s struggle to move on from Andy. Regardless, Buzz has also played a huge role in making the series a success. I grew up watching their dynamic evolve from bitter rivalry and turn into an unbreakable friendship. That being said, I really hopeToy Story 5starts to move away from both characters for the sake of the franchise’s longevity.
WithToy Story 5on the way, I wouldn’t be surprised if more sequels materialized down the line.
Toy Story 4already felt like a deviation from a solid, planned-out trilogy. So, the very fact that it was made at all suggests that Pixar isn’t averse to continuing to make these movies - even if the overall series has its legacy tarnished a little as a result. WithToy Story 5on the way, I wouldn’t be surprised if more sequels materialized down the line. If so,the follow-ups surely can’t continue to thrust Buzz and Woody into the limelightwhen so much of their story has already been told.
Pixar Just Admitted To Its Biggest Lightyear Mistake With This Toy Story 5 Reveal
Pixar has finally revealed important information about Toy Story 5, and it corrects a recent issue with Buzz that’s arisen in recent years.
At a certain point, new main characters need to replace the Space Ranger and the Cowboy. I thinkit would be a little too sudden for this process to happen within the runtime ofToy Story 5, but the upcoming sequel can certainly begin the process. That way, a speculativeToy Story 6,7, or beyond wouldn’t need to rely so heavily on Buzz and Woody. Whiletheir farewell at the end ofToy Story 4teases this change has already happened, their immediate reunion one movie later suggests the opposite.
Toy Story 4 Already Said Goodbye To Woody (So What Changed?)
The upcoming 2026 sequel is undoing Woody’s difficult exit
I’m sure I’m not alone in admitting to shedding a tear or two duringToy Story 3’s ending. The characters may have been saying goodbye to Andy, but I also knew they were in safe hands with Bonnie.Toy Story 4’s ending was also emotional but for a different reason. With Woody splintering off from the toys to live free from ownership, Tom Hank’s character was separating himself from the main cast. It was, in a lot of ways, sadder than the third movie’s ending. However,Pixar is already undoing the moment by bringing Woody backinToy Story 5.
1995
100%
1999
2010
98%
2019
97%
2022
74%
2026
TBC
When another sequel was announced, I was immediately convinced that Woody would return. AlthoughToy Story 5could (and probably should) have honored Woody’s departure, the thought of making a movie about Bonnie’s toys without his presence just doesn’t feel right. I’m sure that Pixar felt similarly because the dyad of Buzz and Woody is what the franchise lives and breathes by. So, the friends parting ways forever at the end ofToy Story 4was always destined to be retconned as soon asToy Story 5was revealed to be happening.
Why Toy Story Will Probably Never Move Away From Woody, Buzz, And The Others
Replacing the faces of the Toy Story franchise could hurt the profitability of the movies
Despite my strong feelings about Pixar not continuing to wheel out Buzz and Woody over and over again, I’m also very aware that it’s unlikely to stop in future sequels. The characters are just too integral to the franchise’s success, and placing any other characters at the forefront after so many years would surely be a recipe for failure. The movies are so successful in large part due to the familiarity of the characters and the nostalgia they instill. That isn’t just true of Buzz and Woody, but also of Rex, Ham, Slinky, and all the other toys.
Toy Story 5 Just Made Andy’s Return Even More Likely
Andy has appeared in the first four Toy Story movies, and Toy Story 5’s premise gives him the perfect chance to keep his franchise steak going.
On the other hand,Pixar has already demonstrated a willingness to say farewell to established charactersand swap them out for suitable replacements. Therefore, if the studio wanted to leave Buzz and Woody behind, I genuinely believe they’d do a great job of pulling it off. Some evidence for this can even be found within theToy Storyfranchise itself, with Andy being replaced by Bonnie at the end of the third movie. So,Toy Story 5starting Buzz and Woody’s gradual exit wouldn’t be entirely unprecedented.
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.
