Pixar’s Toy Story 5 hits theaters on June 19, and fans are getting a clearer picture of which characters are returning to Pixar’s iconic franchise—and which ones are still unconfirmed. Per the synopsis, “Buzz, Woody, Jessie and the rest of the gang’s jobs get exponentially harder when they go head-to-head with a new threat to playtime,” and that threat is a tablet known as Lilypad.
With the film premiering next week, you might be wondering which characters are officially in the movie. Here’s a breakdown of every confirmed returning toy, plus the fan favorites noticeably missing from the current lineup.
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Table of Contents
Confirmed Returning Characters
Woody
Woody is expected to return in Toy Story 5, marking a major continuation of his story after the events of Toy Story 4. Tom Hanks is expected to reprise the role.
Buzz Lightyear
Buzz Lightyear is also confirmed to return, continuing his role as one of the franchise’s central characters. Tim Allen is expected to return as the voice of Buzz.
Jessie
Jessie is confirmed to return and may take on a more prominent leadership role within the group in the new film.
Forky
Forky is expected to return following his introduction in Toy Story 4, where he quickly became a standout character.
Mr. Potato Head
One of the original toys, Mr. Potato Head is expected to appear again in the upcoming installment.
Rex, Hamm, and Slinky Dog
The core group of Andy’s original toys—including Rex, Hamm, and Slinky Dog—are also expected to return.
New Characters Joining Toy Story 5
Lilypad
A new tech-focused character is expected to play a major role in the story’s central conflict.
Smarty Pants
Voiced by Conan O’Brien, Smarty Pants is one of the newly announced additions to the Toy Story universe.
What This Means for Toy Story 5

Photo: Pixar
The current lineup suggests a mix of core nostalgia and new characters, with Pixar likely balancing legacy toys against a new generation of additions.
The film opens in theaters on June 19
Featured Photo: Pixar
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