Is your child’s tablet trying to kill Woody? The shocking twist in the new Toy Story 5 trailer

The familiar, comforting sight of Andy’s room is a distant memory. In the first, pulse-quickening teaser for Toy Story 5, the toys we’ve grown up with are no longer facing the sentimental angst of a child growing up; they are confronting their own obsolescence. The tagline says it all: “The age of toys is over.” And the harbinger of this new, digital era isn’t a menacing bear or a spoiled child, but a sleek, smiling, frog-shaped smart tablet named Lilypad.

Disney and Pixar have unleashed a wave of nostalgia and anxiety with the debut trailer for the highly anticipated sequel, set to hit theaters in Summer 2026. The brief but potent glimpse reintroduces us to the voices we know and love—Tom Hanks’ devoted Woody, Tim Allen’s intrepid Buzz Lightyear, and Joan Cusack’s spirited Jessie—but places them in a scenario that feels more existentially threatening than any they have ever faced.

Gone are the days of simple, tangible play. The trailer opens on a scene of palpable dread. The gang huddles together, their plastic and plush bodies trembling as a package is delivered to their new child, Bonnie. The unboxing ritual, once a moment of pure joy and possibility, is now fraught with fear. As the cardboard flaps open, it’s not a new action figure or a cuddly doll that emerges, but a piece of glowing, minimalist technology. Lilypad, voiced with charming menace by Past Lives star Greta Lee, introduces herself not with a growl, but with a friendly, digital chime. She is the “all-new threat to playtime,” and her weapon is the very world she represents.

Co-directors Andrew Stanton (the legendary mind behind Finding Nemo and WALL-E) and McKenna Harris have promised a “playfully antagonistic tone,” and the dynamic is immediately clear. How does a pull-string cowboy compete with an infinite universe of apps and videos? How does a space ranger’s laser stack up against augmented reality? Lilypad isn’t evil in the way Stinky Pete or Lotso were; she is simply more captivating, offering a solitary, screen-based engagement that leaves Woody, Buzz, and the rest of the gang gathering dust on the shelf. It’s a battle for a child’s attention, and for the first time, our heroes seem hopelessly outgunned.

The film marks a pivotal moment for Pixar. It is the first sequel in the franchise to be made without the involvement of ousted chief John Lasseter and arrives on the heels of the studio’s recent box-office struggles, including the commercial disappointment of Lightyear and the historic underperformance of Elio. The pressure is on for Toy Story 5 to not only continue a beloved saga but to reassert Pixar’s dominance in the animation landscape.

The returning cast is joined by new voices, including Conan O’Brien as a toilet-training tech assistant named Smarty Pants—a fittingly absurd counterpoint to Lilypad’s sleek efficiency. In a poignant casting shift following the passing of Carl Weathers, Ernie Hudson will take over the role of the gung-ho Combat Carl.

The genius of this first look lies in its relatability. It taps into a very real, generational anxiety felt by parents and kids alike: the displacement of physical play by the digital realm. Toy Story 5 isn’t just continuing a story; it’s holding up a mirror to the modern playroom. By pitting the timeless charm of Woody’s loyalty against the instant gratification of Lilypad’ screen, Pixar is setting the stage for its most poignant and relevant conflict yet. The question is no longer “Who gets played with?” but “What does it mean to be a toy in a world that might not need them anymore?” The answer, when it arrives in 2026, will determine the fate of our oldest friends.

FAQ Section

Q1: When is the Toy Story 5 release date?
A1: Toy Story 5 is scheduled to be released in theaters in Summer 2026.

Q2: Who is the new villain in Toy Story 5?
A2: The new antagonist is a high-tech, frog-shaped smart tablet named Lilypad, voiced by Greta Lee. She represents the threat of digital technology to traditional, physical play.

Q3: Is the original voice cast returning for Toy Story 5?
A3: Yes, Tom Hanks (Woody), Tim Allen (Buzz Lightyear), and Joan Cusack (Jessie) are all confirmed to be returning.

Q4: Who are the directors of Toy Story 5?
A4: The film is co-directed by Andrew Stanton (a Pixar veteran who directed Finding Nemo and WALL-E) and McKenna Harris, marking her feature directorial debut.

Q5: What is the plot of Toy Story 5?
A5: Based on the teaser, the plot will center on the toys facing their greatest challenge yet: obsolescence in the age of digital tablets and screens, as personified by the new character, Lilypad.