‘Toy Story 5’ teaser trailer drops: toys vs. tech, Greta Lee’s Lilypad shakes up the playroom

Disney and Pixar unveiled the first “Toy Story 5” teaser trailer today, confirming a summer 2026 date and introducing a very 21st-century nemesis for Woody and Buzz. The clip sets up a “toys vs. tech” showdown anchored by Greta Lee, who voices Lilypad—a cheerful, frog-shaped smart tablet that instantly becomes the coolest “toy” in the room and a direct challenge to the gang’s purpose.

What’s in the ‘Toy Story 5’ teaser trailer

The teaser opens on a cozy birthday unboxing: Bonnie tears into a shiny package to reveal Lilypad, a glossy, voice-activated tablet with a bubbly personality and endless mini-games. As the device chirps instructions, the camera cuts to the closet where Woody, Buzz, Jessie, Forky and friends trade anxious looks. Quick gags follow—Buzz attempting to “pair” with something, Rex panicking about updates, Forky jabbing the home button—before the tone turns earnest. Woody steps forward with a classic pep talk about being there for a kid, even when the rules of play change.

Visual hints pack the margins: a charging dock that doubles as a “throne,” a night scene where Lilypad’s screen glow washes over the toys, and a tag line that lands like a dare—“The age of toys is never over.”

Greta Lee’s Lilypad: a new kind of antagonist

Greta Lee (fresh off a run of acclaimed roles) voices Lilypad, a sleek gadget designed to be helpful, delightful—and, perhaps, a tad possessive. She’s not a villain in the mustache-twirling sense; the teaser plays her as a disruptive force whose endless interactivity squeezes the space where imagination used to roam. That nuance matters: the conflict seems less about smashing screens and more about redefining what it means to be a toy when a tablet can talk back, gamify chores, and command a child’s attention.

Release date, creative team, and returning cast

“Toy Story 5” is slated for June 19, 2026, exclusively in theaters. The film is directed by Andrew Stanton with co-director McKenna Harris and produced by a veteran Pixar team. The teaser confirms the return of Tom Hanks (Woody), Tim Allen (Buzz), Joan Cusack (Jessie) and Tony Hale (Forky). It also teases fresh comic energy with Conan O’Brien as “Smarty Pants,” a potty-training tech toy, and a new voice for Combat Carl.

What the teaser signals about the story

• Reunion energy: Woody, who charted a different path at the end of “Toy Story 4,” is shown back alongside the crew—suggesting a plot mechanism that brings the family together early.

• Play philosophy: Expect Pixar to explore attention, attachment, and imagination in the era of always-on devices—without scolding kids or parents.

• High-concept set pieces: Quick flashes hint at an action beat inside a big-box electronics aisle, plus a suspense gag in “Airplane Mode” where Lilypad powers down at the worst possible time.

Why “toys vs. tech” is the right swing now

The franchise has always tracked real shifts in childhood: from Andy’s bedroom to daycare chaos to new ownership and identity. The next frontier is obvious—screens as playmates. By making the gadget sentient, the film can dramatize a modern dilemma with empathy: Is a toy’s job to entertain at all costs, or to make space for a child’s imagination? And if a gadget monopolizes attention, where do physical friends fit?

Key questions after the first look

• Is Lilypad truly an antagonist—or an ally who needs to learn boundaries?

• How does Woody’s return square with his “life with Bo” choice? The teaser implies a thoughtful reconciliation rather than a retcon.

• Will Buzz’s arc confront identity again—this time as “one of many”? A brief shot of multiple boxed Lightyears suggests a subplot about uniqueness in a mass-produced world.

• How big is the world outside Bonnie’s room? Glimpses of a school makerspace and a warehouse hint at a broader canvas.

Timeline: what’s next in the rollout

• Winter 2025–26: Character posters and a longer trailer that lays out the central mission (likely a rescue or a reset of house rules).

• Spring 2026: Final trailer, soundtrack details, and tie-in reveals (yes, Lilypad-adjacent toys seem inevitable).

• June 19, 2026: Theatrical release worldwide.

The “Toy Story 5” teaser trailer lands a clean premise with emotional upside: our favorite toys taking on a lovable, disruptive gadget voiced by Greta Lee. If the film balances satire of screen life with the series’ trademark heart—and gives Woody and Buzz a reunion that feels earned—this fifth chapter could refresh the franchise for a new generation without losing what made it timeless.