Pixar’s latest showcase at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival wasn’t just a peek behind the curtain. It felt like a turning point. The studio laid out its upcoming slate with confidence, bringing familiar faces back for Toy Story 5, introducing a quirky new adventure with Gatto, and previewing two bold originals in Hoopers and Elio. Each project shows Pixar evolving while still tapping into what it does best: telling heartfelt stories with personality and visual flair.
Toy Story 5: The Toys vs Tech
Pixar’s flagship franchise returns with Toy Story 5, and this time the toys are facing a whole new kind of rival: technology. Set for release on June 19, 2026, the story centers on Bonnie’s latest obsession, a sleek interactive tablet named Lillypad. As Woody, Buzz, and the gang come to terms with being relics in a digital-first world, the film asks a timely question: what happens to imagination when screens take over?
Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and Joan Cusack are all back, with Andrew Stanton and McKenna Harris directing. A particularly creative twist is the movie opening with a surreal scene of a shipment of Buzz Lightyears stranded on a desert island, trying to contact Star Command. Ernie Hudson also joins the cast as Combat Carl, stepping in after the passing of Carl Weathers.
Gatto: Existential Whiskers in Venice
One of the most intriguing announcements was Gatto, a completely original story directed by Luca’s Enrico Casarosa. Set in Venice, the film follows Nero, a black cat who’s terrified of water and starting to question whether he’s lived the right lives. He crosses paths with Maya, a street musician, and their friendship opens up a story that blends quiet introspection with whimsical charm. The animation style borrows from hand-painted textures and is deliberately more painterly than traditional Pixar fare. It’s currently slated for summer 2027, and early concept art hints at something visually distinct and emotionally resonant.
Hoopers: Eco Activism Gets Furry
Hoopers brings some comedic chaos with a premise that sounds like a late night pitch gone right. When Mabel, a nature-loving teen voiced by Piper Curda, tries to stop a highway from cutting through her woods, she finds herself in a robot beaver’s body. That’s right, a brain swapping experiment lets her rally forest creatures, led by Bobby Moynihan’s beaver King George, to fight back against Mayor Jerry, voiced by Jon Hamm. The project looks to mix slapstick with a clear environmental message, and it might be Pixar’s most offbeat comedy in years.
From high-stakes tech anxiety in Toy Story 5 to meditative feline reflections in Gatto, Pixar’s next few years look both adventurous and self-aware. The studio isn’t just iterating anymore. It’s actively trying to stretch. And that might be exactly what animation needs right now.
Sources
Variety, Deadline
gfpods.com 
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