Let’s just say Pixar didn’t come to play at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival this year—they came to blow the roof off.
In a jam-packed Friday showcase that had animation lovers buzzing, Pixar Animation Studios pulled back the curtain on a slate of upcoming projects that span fresh original tales and nostalgic reunions. From the return of Woody and Buzz in Toy Story 5, to a brand-new cat-led adventure titled Gatto, and a hilarious woodland-robot comedy Hoopers, the audience was taken on a rollercoaster of emotion, innovation, and classic Pixar charm.
Here’s everything you need to know from this highly anticipated presentation, plus a few fun surprises that Pixar kept up their sleeve.
🔥 A Legendary Return: Toy Story 5 Officially Confirmed
Let’s start with the showstopper—Toy Story 5 is officially happening, folks. Pixar’s Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter took center stage to drop major intel and treat attendees to a world premiere snippet that set the crowd ablaze.
What’s New This Time?
Directed by Finding Nemo’s Andrew Stanton alongside newcomer McKenna Harris, with Jessica Choi producing, the fifth installment tackles a modern twist: What happens when toys are no longer a child’s first love? In today’s world, it’s not cowboys or astronauts—it's tablets and screens.
Docter described the new chapter as “Toys meet Tech,” explaining that Woody, Buzz, and company now face their toughest challenge yet—Bonnie Anderson’s favorite plaything is no longer a plush or plastic pal. It’s a high-tech tablet named Lillypad.
The film is set to release on June 19, 2026, perfectly timed with the franchise’s nostalgic 30th anniversary, which Pixar honored by sharing some heartfelt behind-the-scenes clips from the OG 1995 Toy Story—the one that changed animation forever.
Epic Opening Scene Reveal:
Imagine this—a crate full of Buzz Lightyears waking up on a mysterious desert island, totally cut off from Star Command. That’s the wild tone-setter for the new movie, and yes, it was shown exclusively at Annecy. The twist? The Buzzes don’t realize they’re toys anymore. It’s quirky, a bit haunting, and totally Pixar.
Veteran voices are back too—Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and Joan Cusack will reprise their iconic roles. In a heartfelt tribute, Ernie Hudson will take over the voice of Combat Carl, a character originally voiced by the late Carl Weathers.
🎨 Original Magic Alert: Gatto – The Italian Cat With a Twist
As if the nostalgia wasn't enough, Pete Docter also took the wraps off an exciting original Pixar feature titled Gatto. And no, it’s not your average cat tale.
What’s the Story?
Set in the dreamy, postcard-worthy city of Venice, Gatto introduces us to Nero, a black cat with a fear of water (awkward when you live in a city built on canals). Directed by Luca filmmaker Enrico Casarosa, the movie dives into Nero’s unlikely friendship with Maya, a soulful street musician dealing with her own sense of isolation.
From the early concept art and animation tests shown at Annecy, one thing’s clear—Gatto is going for a more painterly, almost hand-crafted visual style, making it stand out from traditional Pixar fare. Think Studio Ghibli vibes with a splash of European charm. The film is scheduled to drop in the summer of 2027, and it already looks like one for the ages.
🦫 Brain Swaps and Beaver Battles: Meet Hoopers
Next up, Pixar flexed its comedic chops with a first-look clip from Hoopers, another original project that feels like classic Pixar chaos in the best way.
Plot Summary:
Piper Curda voices Mabel, a nature-loving teen who finds herself in the middle of a battle against greedy industrialization. When her local mayor—played hilariously by Jon Hamm—wants to bulldoze the town’s woodlands to build a highway, Mabel takes extreme action. How extreme? She swaps her brain into a robot beaver. Yep, you read that right.
In her new furry metal body, Mabel dives into a pond where she meets a colony of animals who’ve been displaced by the mayor’s plans. She’s got to convince them, including the dignified and slightly pompous King George the Beaver (voiced by SNL alum Bobby Moynihan), to help her stop the destruction.
It’s bizarre. It’s adorable. It’s everything we love about Pixar being weird and wonderful.
🛸 25 Minutes of Pure Cosmic Delight: Elio Makes Its Mark
And if that wasn’t enough, fans at Annecy got treated to a whopping 25 minutes of exclusive footage from Pixar’s next theatrical release, Elio, which hits theaters on June 20, 2025.
What’s It About?
Directed by Madeline Sharafian and Domee Shi (Turning Red), Elio follows an 11-year-old boy named Elio Solis, voiced by Yonas Kibreab, who somehow becomes Earth’s ambassador after aliens mistake him for a representative of humanity. Oops.
The film has a sci-fi foundation but leans heavily into coming-of-age and identity themes. It’s got heart, it’s got humor, and it's beautifully weird. The voice cast includes some serious star power too—Zoe Saldaña, Remy Edgerly, Brad Garrett, Jameela Jamil, and Shirley Henderson.
Elio made its Los Angeles debut earlier this week, but Annecy got the real treat—a full extended preview that had viewers chuckling, gasping, and tearing up all in one sitting.
✨ Final Thoughts: Pixar’s Future Looks Brighter Than Ever
With a blend of original storytelling and nostalgic legacy, Pixar’s Annecy showcase made one thing abundantly clear—they’re not slowing down anytime soon.
Whether you’re all-in for the Toy Story 5 reunion, intrigued by the emotional depth of Gatto, excited to see a beaver-led rebellion in Hoopers, or can’t wait to travel the galaxy with Elio, there’s something magical ahead for every fan.
A few takeaways:
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🔄 Toy Story 5 balances nostalgia with modern-day dilemmas.
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🐾 Gatto could become Pixar’s most visually artistic project to date.
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🤖 Hoopers is peak quirky fun with a sprinkle of social commentary.
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🪐 Elio proves Pixar still knows how to tug the heartstrings in space.
So mark your calendars, animation lovers. The next few years of Pixar magic are already shaping up to be unforgettable.
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