Toy Story 5 first look: Meet the tablet villain stealing Bonnie’s attention
Buzz, Woody and Jessie face off against a screen-time baddie in the newest Toy Story sequel
The toys are back – and this time, they’re battling something very familiar to many modern families: screen time.
Pixar has given us our first glimpse at Toy Story 5, and the next chapter in the beloved franchise will pit Woody, Buzz and Jessie against a sneaky new villain – a frog-faced tech tablet named Lily Pad.
Unveiled during a showcase at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France, this early teaser already has fans talking – and parents nodding in recognition.
Lily Pad: a modern villain for modern playtime struggles
In Toy Story 5, Bonnie – now eight years old – is gifted a Lily Pad tablet for school and online games. But the device quickly turns from educational aid to playtime disruptor, convincing Bonnie that digital adventures are far more exciting than her old-school toys.
Pixar Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter described Lily Pad as “sneaky” and “prickly”, adding that the villain represents the challenge of “modern digital distractions” in a toy’s world. In concept art shared at the event, Lily Pad looms menacingly over Buzz Lightyear, Jessie and Bullseye – a touchscreen tyrant in the toybox.
This sets up a story that’s likely to resonate with parents and children alike, especially as many households juggle how to balance tech time and imaginative play.
Buzz Lightyears on a beach? Here's what the opening scene looks like
Festivalgoers at Annecy were treated to some of the film’s opening scenes, which show a shipping container full of Buzz Lightyear figures washed up on a beach, all struggling to regain their “Star Command” identity. It’s a dramatic start that hints at big themes – identity, purpose, and what happens when you feel replaced.
While Woody’s role in this instalment hasn’t been fully revealed yet, Tom Hanks (Woody), Tim Allen (Buzz) and Joan Cusack (Jessie) are all confirmed to return. Ernie Hudson will also join the voice cast as Combat Carl – a character originally voiced by the late Carl Weathers.
Why this story could hit home for millennial mums
For millennial mums raising kids in the age of tablets and YouTube, Toy Story 5 looks set to strike a chord. The Lily Pad character isn’t just a villain – she’s a reflection of real-world parenting dilemmas around screen time, digital friendships and how quickly kids can drift from their once-beloved toys.
The film, written and directed by Pixar veteran Andrew Stanton (marking his directorial debut in the franchise), promises to continue Toy Story’s tradition of tackling big emotional themes wrapped in child-friendly adventures.
From the heart-wrenching goodbye of Toy Story 3 to the identity crisis explored in Toy Story 4, this fifth outing looks set to tackle a very 2020s challenge: staying relevant in a tech-first world.
What else is coming from Pixar
Alongside the Toy Story 5 sneak peek, Pixar revealed several upcoming projects.
Hoppers (March 2026): An eco-heist adventure where a 14-year-old girl uploads her mind into a robotic beaver to save her local pond.
Gatto (Summer 2027): A storybook-style film following Nero, a Venetian cat with ties to the feline mob, now searching for meaning.
Plus, new footage from Zootopia 2 (out November) and Elio (a cosmic coming-of-age story landing in cinemas 20 June).
When will Toy Story 5 be released?
The film is currently scheduled to hit cinemas on 19 June 2026, giving plenty of time for speculation, excitement, and maybe a few tough conversations at home about how much screen time is too much.
And if you’ve been meaning to revisit the previous adventures, Toy Story 1–4 are all available to stream now on Disney+.
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Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.