Every Voice Actor in ‘Toy Story 5’ and the New Characters Shaping Pixar’s Bold Sequel

When a franchise stretches across more than three decades, each new chapter carries a particular kind of scrutiny. ‘Toy Story 5’ is a 2026 American animated adventure comedy-drama produced by Pixar Animation Studios for Walt Disney Pictures, directed by Andrew Stanton, and set two years after the events of ‘Toy Story 4.’ The film trades nostalgia for a genuinely timely premise, putting Woody, Buzz, and the entire gang up against something more unsettling than any villain they have faced before.

The newly introduced character of Lilypad, a frog-shaped smart tablet, throws playtime into disarray when the toys’ owner Bonnie begins to favor the screen over her toys, forcing Woody, Buzz, and their friends to rally to preserve both Bonnie’s childhood and their places in her life. The voice cast assembled to tell that story is one of the most expansive in franchise history, mixing long-standing franchise pillars with a wave of high-profile newcomers.

The Returning Voice Cast of ‘Toy Story 5’

Tom Hanks returns as Woody, the pull-string cowboy doll he has voiced in every ‘Toy Story’ film, with the loyal leader of the toys drawing attention in trailers when fans noticed he appeared to have a bald spot, a quiet nod to the passage of more than 30 years since the original film. Hanks has been the emotional anchor of the franchise since its inception, and his presence here signals that the series has no intention of drifting too far from its roots.

Also returning are Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear, Joan Cusack as cowgirl Jessie, Annie Potts as the adventure-loving Bo Peep, Bonnie Hunt as the wise rag-doll Dolly, Wallace Shawn as Rex, John Ratzenberger as Hamm, Kristen Schaal as Trixie, Blake Clark as Slinky Dog, and Tony Hale as Forky. The depth of this ensemble is a reminder that ‘Toy Story’ has always functioned as a genuine company of players rather than a two-star vehicle.

Keanu Reeves, who made his debut in the ‘Toy Story’ world with the fourth installment, returns to voice stuntman toy Duke Caboom, a character that became a fan favorite thanks to Reeves’ comedic performance and the character’s over-the-top confidence. His continued involvement helps bridge the franchise’s newer generation of characters with the spirit of the original ensemble.

One of the franchise’s most notable recastings involves Mr. Potato Head. Following the passing of comedy legend Don Rickles, veteran voice actor Jeff Bergman has taken over the role, with Bergman widely respected within the animation industry for voicing iconic Looney Tunes characters including Bugs Bunny. Additionally, Ernie Hudson steps in to voice Combat Carl, a G.I. Joe-inspired military action figure, taking over the role from the late Carl Weathers.

Greta Lee and the New Characters Entering the Franchise

One of the biggest additions to ‘Toy Story 5’ is Lilypad, a frog-shaped smart tablet that becomes Bonnie’s newest obsession, representing the film’s central theme of traditional toys competing with modern technology for children’s attention. Lilypad is voiced by Greta Lee, whose profile has risen dramatically in recent years following her acclaimed performance in ‘Past Lives’ and appearances in ‘Russian Doll,’ ‘The Morning Show,’ and ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.’

Actor, comedian, and musician Craig Robinson takes on the role of Atlas, a cheerful talking GPS hippo toy. Robinson is best known for his role as Darryl Philbin on ‘The Office’ and for starring in his own NBC sitcom, ‘Mr. Robinson,’ with his voice acting résumé including roles in ‘Shrek Forever After’ and ‘Sausage Party.’

Conan O’Brien lends his voice to Smarty Pants, a new toilet-training tech toy, while Alan Cumming appears in a cameo as Evil Bullseye, a mischievous playtime alter ego of Bullseye. Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny makes his first appearance in the ‘Toy Story’ franchise as Pizza with Sunglasses, a forgotten toy anxiously awaiting his owner’s return.

The Central Theme Driving the ‘Toy Story 5’ Story

‘Toy Story 5’ deals with children increasingly eschewing traditional toys in favor of touchscreen devices like tablets, with director Andrew Stanton explaining that the film is a “realisation of an existential problem: that nobody’s really playing with toys anymore” and asking what increasing screen time means for children. That framing elevates what might have been a straightforward franchise entry into something with more cultural weight.

At the film’s premiere in June 2026, Stanton revealed that ‘Toy Story 3’ was the “end of the Andy years,” adding that they “got another trilogy with Bonnie,” a statement widely interpreted as Pixar planning a sixth film. The scope of that ambition makes the casting choices here feel like long-term investments rather than one-off collaborations.

Randy Newman returned to score ‘Toy Story 5,’ having previously composed the first four films, while Taylor Swift contributed an original song titled “I Knew It, I Knew You,” written and produced by Swift and Jack Antonoff, which topped the US Billboard Hot 100 upon its release.

How ‘Toy Story 5’ Is Performing at the Box Office

‘Toy Story 5’ should remain the de facto choice among families, backed by reviews sitting at 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and an “A” grade on CinemaScore exit polls. Those numbers reflect an audience that arrived enthusiastic and left satisfied, a combination that bodes well for long legs in theaters.

The film opened to $160 million domestically, ranking as the second-largest animated opening weekend in history, behind only 2018’s ‘Incredibles 2’ with $182.7 million, and setting a new franchise record by surpassing ‘Toy Story 4’s’ $120 million debut from 2019. The global picture is equally striking.

After just five days in theaters, ‘Toy Story 5’ crossed the $200 million domestic mark faster than it took ‘Zootopia 2’ to reach that same milestone in November 2025, with its fifth day in theaters producing the highest-grossing Tuesday of the entire year at $23.7 million domestically. For a franchise that many assumed had reached its conclusion with the fourth installment, these numbers represent a remarkable second wind.

Even without new installments to fuel interest, ‘Toy Story’ earns more than $1 billion annually in worldwide retail sales across consumer products, games, and publishing, a baseline that makes the theatrical performance feel less like a standalone event and more like the latest chapter in a genuinely enduring cultural institution. With Stanton suggesting the Bonnie era is just getting started, it’s worth asking: which of the new characters, Lilypad, Atlas, or Smarty Pants, do you think has the most potential to become a franchise staple alongside Woody and Buzz?