Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5 has arrived in theaters with a record-breaking opening weekend, collecting $160 million domestically and $312 million worldwide. The latest installment in the beloved animated franchise reunites audiences with Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, and several familiar faces while introducing a new generation of toys that challenge the gang’s place in Bonnie’s world.
Set years after the events of Toy Story 4, the film follows Bonnie, now eight years old, as she struggles to make friends and becomes increasingly attached to a smart tablet called Lilypad. As technology begins to dominate playtime, Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and the rest of the toys face a new challenge unlike anything they have encountered before.
Like every Toy Story film, the characters are brought to life by an impressive voice cast that combines Hollywood veterans, comedians, musicians, and returning franchise favorites. Here’s a closer look at some of the biggest names behind the toys.
Tom Hanks Returns as Woody
Few animated characters are as closely associated with an actor as Woody is with Tom Hanks. Since the original Toy Story premiered in 1995, Hanks has voiced the pull-string cowboy who serves as the emotional heart of the franchise.
Across five films, Woody has evolved from Andy’s favorite toy into one of animation’s most beloved characters. Hanks’ warm and relatable performance has played a major role in that success, helping audiences connect with Woody’s loyalty, insecurities, and leadership.
Outside of animation, Hanks remains one of Hollywood’s most celebrated actors. His filmography includes Academy Award-winning performances in Philadelphia and Forrest Gump, as well as acclaimed roles in Saving Private Ryan, Cast Away, Apollo 13, and Captain Phillips.
Three decades after first stepping into Woody’s boots, Hanks continues to be one of the defining voices of the franchise.
Tim Allen Continues as Buzz Lightyear
Joining Woody once again is Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear, the heroic Space Ranger who has become one of Pixar’s most recognizable characters.
Allen has voiced Buzz since the first film and helped transform the character from a delusional action figure into Woody’s closest friend and trusted partner. Buzz remains one of the most popular characters in the franchise and continues to play a major role in Toy Story 5.
Beyond Pixar, Allen is best known for the sitcom Home Improvement and Disney’s long-running The Santa Clause franchise. His performance as Buzz has earned widespread praise over the years and remains one of the most iconic voice performances in modern animation.
Greta Lee Voices New Character Lilypad
One of the biggest additions to Toy Story 5 is Lilypad, a frog-shaped smart tablet that becomes Bonnie’s newest obsession.
The character represents the film’s central theme of traditional toys competing with modern technology for children’s attention. As Bonnie grows increasingly attached to her digital companion, the existing toys find themselves fighting to remain relevant.
Lilypad is voiced by Greta Lee, whose profile has risen dramatically in recent years. Lee earned widespread acclaim for her performance in Past Lives and has also appeared in projects such as Russian Doll, The Morning Show, and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
As the primary new character in the film, Lilypad plays a crucial role in driving the story forward.
Conan O’Brien Joins the Franchise as Smarty Pants
Another major newcomer is Smarty Pants, an electronic potty-training toy voiced by comedian and television host Conan O’Brien.
Best known for his decades-long career in late-night television, O’Brien brings his trademark humor and energy to the franchise. The comedian currently hosts the popular podcast Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend and recently expanded his television presence through the travel series Conan O’Brien Must Go.
His addition marks one of the highest-profile celebrity castings in Toy Story 5 and introduces another modern toy into Bonnie’s growing collection.
Joan Cusack Returns as Jessie
Joan Cusack reprises her role as Jessie, the energetic cowgirl doll who first appeared in Toy Story 2.
Over the years, Jessie has become one of the franchise’s most beloved characters, known for her optimism, bravery, and strong emotional connection with Woody and Buzz. In Toy Story 5, Jessie reportedly takes on an even larger leadership role as the toys attempt to navigate a rapidly changing world.
Cusack has enjoyed a distinguished career in film and television, earning Academy Award nominations for Working Girl and In & Out. She has also appeared in School of Rock, Runaway Bride, and voiced characters in animated films such as Chicken Little.
Her performance remains an essential part of the franchise’s enduring appeal.
Keanu Reeves Reprises Duke Caboom
After making a memorable debut in Toy Story 4, Keanu Reeves returns as Duke Caboom.
The Canadian stuntman toy quickly became a fan favorite thanks to Reeves’ comedic performance and the character’s over-the-top confidence. Duke’s popularity helped him become one of the standout additions to the franchise’s newer generation of toys.
Reeves, of course, is one of Hollywood’s most recognizable stars, known globally for franchises such as John Wick, The Matrix, and Speed.
His return provides another familiar face for longtime fans of the series.
Jeff Bergman Voices Mr. Potato Head
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 for Toy Story 5. Bergman is widely respected within the animation industry and is best known for voicing iconic Looney Tunes characters, including Bugs Bunny.
Mr. Potato Head has been a key member of the toy ensemble since the original film, and Bergman’s performance helps ensure that one of the franchise’s most beloved characters remains part of the story.
Other Returning and New Voices in Toy Story 5
Beyond the headline names, Toy Story 5 features an extensive supporting cast. John Ratzenberger returns as Hamm, Wallace Shawn once again voices Rex, Annie Potts reprises Bo Peep, Bonnie Hunt returns as Dolly, Kristen Schaal voices Trixie, Blake Clark returns as Slinky Dog, and Tony Hale reprises his role as Forky. New additions include Craig Robinson as Atlas, Shelby Rabara as Snappy, Matty Matheson as Dr. Nutcase, Alan Cumming as Evil Bullseye, and Ernie Hudson as Combat Carl, taking over the role previously voiced by the late Carl Weathers. Anna Vocino voices Mrs. Potato Head, while John Hopkins takes over the role of Mr. Pricklepants from Timothy Dalton.
Together, the cast combines returning Pixar veterans with several high-profile newcomers, giving the latest installment one of the largest ensembles in franchise history.
As Toy Story 5 continues its strong theatrical run, the film once again demonstrates that the voices behind the toys remain just as important as the characters themselves. While Woody, Buzz, and Jessie continue to anchor the franchise, new additions such as Lilypad and Smarty Pants help introduce fresh dynamics for a new generation of audiences. Three decades after the original film changed animation forever, the series continues to evolve while remaining rooted in the characters that made audiences fall in love with Toy Story in the first place.
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