Pixar is seemingly never letting go of the The Toy Story film series has "ended" a couple of times in the past 15 years. First, Woody and co. returned for Toy Story 3, which concluded with Andy leaving for college. Then, the franchise was revived without Andy in Toy Story 4. The fourth movie featured the toy characters going on a road trip with their new owner, Bonnie, where Woody reunited with Bo Peep.
Andrew Stanton, who has writing credits on the first four Toy Story movies, returns to direct and write Toy Story 5, which will be released on June 19, 2026. Meanwhile, Tom Hanks and Tim Allen are set to reprise their roles as Woody and Buzz Lightyear, respectively.
Following Toy Story 4's release, it was unclear if Woody staying with Bo Peep while the other toys returned home with Bonnie would serve as the franchise's official ending. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected Disney's profits. Consequently, the company decided to circle back to what worked in the past, and Toy Story is one of Disney/Pixar's most reliable IPs. Just like that, Toy Story 5 was born. Toy Story 5's story reportedly revolves around the toys struggling to compete with technology for children's attention. So, the film is likely a sequel, meaning Andy won't appear.
Who Was Andy's Favorite Toy Before Woody?
Andy's Life Before Woody Is Unknown
If Andy were to return in a future Toy Story project, the easiest way to bring him back would be via a prequel. Nothing concrete is known about Andy's life before the events of the first movie. Of course, he was quite young at the time, and there wouldn't be many significant moments to warrant the making of a whole film. However, one aspect of Andy's life pre-Toy Story that has plagued fans for three decades could make for a great movie plot — who was Andy's favorite toy before he got Woody?
Toy Story Movie |
Release Date |
Box Office |
Tomatometer |
Audience Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Toy Story |
November 22, 1995 |
$394.4 million |
100% |
92% |
Toy Story 2 |
November 24, 1999 |
$511.4 million |
100% |
87% |
Toy Story 3 |
June 18, 2010 |
$1.067 billion |
98% |
90% |
Toy Story 4 |
June 21, 2019 |
$1.07 billion |
97% |
94% |
Toy Story 5 |
June 19, 2026 |
TBD |
TBD |
TBD |
Since the beginning of Toy Story, Woody has always been Andy's favorite (aside from his brief Buzz Lightyear phase). There must have been someone that came before Tom Hanks' character, though. Most children get their first toy the day they are born, and the first Toy Story movie confirmed Woody became Andy's favorite when he was in kindergarten. Some fans have shared their theories concerning Andy's first favorite toy (like on this Reddit thread), with some believing it was Mr. Potato Head, while others think it was a toy no longer around. Ultimately, we simply don't have the answer.
A Toy Story Prequel Could Show How Andy & Woody's Friendship Came To Be
The Franchise Began With Andy & Woody Already Close
Regardless of who Andy's first favorite toy was in the Toy Story universe, this premise would be the perfect way to weave him back into the story. A prequel allows Andy's return and could show the early days of his and Woody's friendship. Meanwhile, Andy would have to be an adult in a sequel, and perhaps Pixar should save that version of his return for the real Toy Story ending.
The origins of their close bond are unknown, but a possible prequel could finally give the audience answers about Andy's life pre-Woody and how the cowboy entered the young kid's world.
When the first movie begins, Andy and Woody are already as thick as thieves. The origins of their close bond are unknown, but a possible prequel could finally give the audience answers about Andy's life pre-Woody and how the cowboy entered the young kid's world. It would be a sweet, emotional story, perfect for Pixar.
New Toy Story 5 Plot Tease Suggests Buzz Will Replace Woody As The Main Character
Woody has been the face of the Toy Story franchise since the first movie in 1995, but the next film might feature Buzz taking over that role.
A Toy Story Prequel About Andy's First Toys Wouldn't Have To Be A Movie
A Prequel Could Be A Short
The good news is that a Toy Story prequel wouldn't have to be the sixth movie in the franchise. Instead, Andy's origin story could be a Disney+ TV show, a special, or a short, while Toy Story 6 (if and when Pixar greenlights it) could continue the chronological order of the films. Nowadays, the options for a prequel are endless. The idea of exploring the early days of Andy and Woody's friendship doesn't confine Pixar to one type of media, making Andy's Toy Story return even more possible.
Source: Reddit
