Summary
WithToy Story 5confirmed for a 2026 release, the fourth sequel in the Pixar film series needs to focus on two characters who have been used very sparingly so far. While theToy Story 5casthasn’t yet been formally announced, it would make sense for this duo to return for the upcoming project afterToy Story 4’s ending. Whilethere’s never been a shortage of colorful and exciting characters in theToy Storyfranchise, the 2026 effort risks falling into a common trap if it isn’t careful.
Pixar sequels seem to be the best source of revenue for the animation studioin recent years, with new stories not performing particularly well at the box office. While 2023’sElementaleventually turned a profit, it was a slow burner and fell very short of Pixar’s highest earners. BeforeElemental, 2017’sCocowas the last non-sequel Pixar movie to be a box office smash.All theToy Storymovieshave done very well financially, so the fifth will likely flourish too. However, it also needs to be mindful of always looking to the future.
All 9 Pixar Movie Sequels, Ranked Worst To Best
Pixar has successfully built an animation empire with incredible stories, building on some of the most popular franchises with compelling sequels.
Ducky & Bunny Need More Screen Time In Toy Story 5
Key & Peele’s Toy Story 4 characters were a highlight of the movie
Toy Story 4was a deeply emotional affair, but it also maintained the franchise’s comedic elements. The funniest moments in the movie came from Ducky and Bunny, who were voiced by the legendary comedy duo, Key and Peele. The zany plushies felt very much like characters their voice artists would play in their live-action sketch show, and they were brilliantly suited to theToy Storyuniverse. In the next movie,Pixar needs to give them more chances to bring about belly laughsfrom the audience.
Toy Story 5is slated for a theatrical release on June 04, 2025.
While the upcoming movie being the series' stopping point isn’t confirmed, it’s possible thatToy Story 5could end the franchise. The third and fourth movies have already given fans two tear-jerking conclusions, so a third that once again doesn’t serve as the story’s final ending could mean retreading old ground. If so,it would be a shame for Ducky and Bunny to be limitedto just a few moments of comedic brilliance.
Toy Story 5 Needs Ducky & Bunny To Prove The Series Isn’t Repeating Itself
Ducky & Bunny can stop the 2026 sequel from becoming a nostalgia trap
There’s no denying that a huge number of those who will go to seeToy Story 5will be existing fans of the franchise, and many will have seen the first movie as children. So, nostalgia will be a powerful tool during the marketing process. However, relying too much on this factor could result in the upcoming sequel being too similar to previousToy Storymovies. By giving Ducky and Bunny larger roles,Pixar can prove that it doesn’t need to lean on more time-honored charactersforToy Story 5to be successful.
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.
