In an unexpected move, Pixar has repurposed animations from the Apple Watch for the teaser trailer of the much-awaited 'Toy Story 5,' set to release in 2026. Originally created for watchOS 4 in 2017, these animated faces first appeared two years before the launch of 'Toy Story 4.'
The teaser kicks off with a space alien being lifted by a claw, transitioning to a blue backdrop featuring the new movie's logo alongside Woody, Buzz, and Jessie. These characters, originally designed for the Apple Watch, perform playful gestures as they reintroduce themselves to the audience.
Dylan McDonald, the owner of SunApps, highlighted this reuse on X.com, noting that the animations were slightly tweaked to fit the new background. An Apple intern working on the Maps app was credited with discovering the re-used assets, which have since garnered amused reactions from fans.
While the teaser reuses most of its animation from past Apple Watch faces, a few elements—like the alien's claw scene and Buzz's brief exit—were pulled from other existing sources. This has led to speculation that 'Toy Story 5' is still in the early stages of production.
Directed by Andrew Stanton, who played a significant role in crafting the first four 'Toy Story' films, the movie is scheduled to hit theaters on June 19, 2026. Stanton, known for his work on 'Finding Nemo,' 'Finding Dory,' and 'Wall-E,' will once again bring his storytelling expertise to the beloved franchise.
