Animation fans around the world just had their minds completely blown by what might be the most exciting movie announcements of 2025. Pixar’s Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter stepped onto the stage at France’s Annecy Animation Festival and proceeded to drop bombshell after bombshell that has everyone questioning whether they’re dreaming or if Pixar really just promised to deliver everything on their wishlist.
We’re talking about Toy Story 5 with Tom Hanks and Tim Allen returning, a gorgeous new film set in Venice that looks unlike anything Pixar has ever created, and preview footage that had festival audiences literally cheering and going wild in their seats. This wasn’t just a routine preview event, this was Pixar essentially saying they’re about to redefine what’s possible in animation.
The scale and ambition of what Pixar just revealed suggests they’re not just making more movies, they’re preparing to push the boundaries of storytelling and visual innovation in ways that could change how we think about animated entertainment for the next decade.
The Venice masterpiece that nobody saw coming
Gatto might be the most visually stunning Pixar film ever created, and that’s saying something considering the studio’s track record of gorgeous animation. Set in Venice and following a black cat named Nero who’s questioning his life choices, this film represents a return to Italy for director Enrico Casarosa and producer Andrea Warren, the brilliant team behind the beloved Luca.
What makes Gatto particularly exciting is its completely unique hand-painted visual style that Pixar has apparently never attempted before. The animation tests that Docter showed at Annecy featured rich Venetian colors and a blend of 2D hand-painted textures with cutting-edge computer animation that had the audience cheering before they even knew what the story was about.
The plot details sound equally compelling, with Nero owing debts to a local feline mob boss and being forced into an unlikely friendship with Maya, a street artist who adopts him against his will. This odd couple dynamic set against the mysterious and potentially dangerous backdrop of Venice creates storytelling possibilities that feel both intimate and epic.
The fact that this film won’t arrive until summer 2027 means Pixar is taking their time to perfect what could be their most visually ambitious project ever. Given how much fans still adore Luca years after its Disney Plus release, the anticipation for Casarosa’s follow-up is going to be absolutely massive.
Toy Story 5 brings everyone home
The confirmation that Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and Joan Cusack are all returning for Toy Story 5 should make every Disney fan who grew up with these characters feel like Christmas morning just arrived early. After thirty years of Woody, Buzz, and Jessie adventures, the fact that the original voice cast is still committed to these roles demonstrates the special magic that makes this franchise irreplaceable.
The concept for Toy Story 5 sounds both familiar and completely fresh, focusing on eight-year-old Bonnie discovering a new toy tablet that creates the kind of technology versus tradition conflict that feels perfectly suited for our current moment. Docter’s description of it as “Toys Meet Tech” suggests storylines that will resonate with parents dealing with screen time battles and kids navigating digital versus physical play.
The two-minute preview that Pixar showed apparently had festival audiences immediately excited, which bodes well for a film that needs to justify its existence after the seemingly perfect conclusion of Toy Story 4. The fact that this represents the 30th anniversary of the franchise that revolutionized animation adds extra significance to what could be a celebration of both Pixar’s legacy and its future.
The summer 2026 release date also means we don’t have to wait too long to see how Pixar handles the challenge of continuing a story that many fans thought had already reached its natural conclusion.
Elio’s cosmic adventure looks incredible
The 27-minute Elio preview that audiences got to see at Annecy sounds like the kind of immersive experience that reminds you why Pixar movies work so much better in theaters than on streaming platforms. Directors Madeline Sharafian and Domee Shi, along with producer Mary Alice Drumm, apparently created something that took viewers from tears to joy while introducing the luscious Communiverse setting.
The concept of Elio being mistaken for Earth’s leader and joining a galactic assembly filled with carefully designed alien creatures sounds like the perfect setup for both comedy and genuine emotional storytelling. The creatures described range from quirky squids to furry ostriches, all living in environments inspired by marine life and macrophotography.
Having Zoe Saldaña voice Aunt Olga adds serious star power to a project that already sounds visually spectacular. The fact that this film hits global theaters next week means audiences won’t have to wait long to experience what festival attendees are already calling enchanting.
The female-driven creative team behind Elio also represents Pixar’s continued commitment to diverse storytelling perspectives, which has consistently resulted in some of their most innovative and emotionally resonant films.
Hoppers brings environmental adventure with humor
While less detailed information was revealed about Hoppers, the concept of a girl using technology to place her consciousness into a robotic beaver in order to save her favorite pond from highway construction sounds like exactly the kind of story Pixar excels at telling. Environmental themes combined with technological innovation and genuine humor could create something special.
Having Jon Hamm and Bobby Moynihan providing voice talent suggests the film will balance its ecological message with the kind of comedy that makes important themes accessible to both kids and adults. Director Daniel Chong’s background with We Bare Bears indicates an understanding of how to create characters that feel both funny and emotionally genuine.
The description of Hoppers as a “strikingly beautiful girl-turns-beaver modern ecological adventure” suggests visual innovation that could make environmental storytelling feel fresh and exciting rather than preachy or heavy-handed.
The fact that this film gets to explore mysteries within the animal world also opens up possibilities for the kind of world-building that has made Pixar’s best films feel like complete universes worth revisiting.
Why Annecy matters for animation fans
Pixar’s decision to use the Annecy Animation Festival as their major announcement platform demonstrates the company’s respect for animation as an art form and their commitment to the global animation community. Pete Docter’s description of Annecy as “the greatest festival in the world” reflects genuine appreciation for venues that celebrate animation innovation.
The fact that Annecy audiences get to see exclusive footage and early previews creates a sense of community and shared discovery that’s become increasingly rare in our preview-saturated entertainment landscape. These festival experiences generate the kind of authentic excitement that can’t be manufactured through typical marketing campaigns.
Docter’s induction into Annecy’s Walk of Fame also represents recognition of his contributions to animation innovation over multiple decades, from his work as supervising animator on the original Toy Story to his current role shaping Pixar’s creative direction.
The festival setting also allows Pixar to showcase their commitment to animation as a global art form rather than just American entertainment, which becomes particularly relevant with films like Gatto that celebrate international settings and cultural perspectives.
The innovation that keeps pushing boundaries
What makes these Pixar announcements particularly exciting is how each film appears to represent different approaches to animation innovation. Gatto’s hand-painted textures, Elio’s cosmic environments, Hoppers’ ecological themes, and Toy Story 5’s technology integration all suggest a studio that’s continuing to experiment rather than just repeating successful formulas.
The return to theatrical releases for all these films also represents Pixar’s recognition that certain cinematic experiences require the big screen to achieve their full impact. While streaming platforms provide accessibility, the communal experience of discovering new animated worlds in theaters creates memories and emotional connections that last for decades.
The timeline spanning from next week’s Elio release through 2027’s Gatto premiere gives audiences a steady stream of Pixar content while allowing each film the development time necessary to achieve the studio’s quality standards.
The diversity of storytelling approaches across these four films also demonstrates Pixar’s commitment to serving different audience interests while maintaining the emotional authenticity that defines their brand.
The animation future that looks absolutely incredible
Pixar’s Annecy announcements represent more than just a slate of upcoming films, they’re a promise that animation continues evolving as both an art form and entertainment medium. The combination of beloved returning characters and completely new creative territories suggests a studio that understands both the value of legacy and the necessity of innovation.
The visual innovation showcased in these previews, from Gatto’s hand-painted Venice to Elio’s cosmic environments, demonstrates that Pixar remains committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in animated storytelling. These aren’t just sequels and spin-offs, they’re genuine artistic statements that could influence animation for years to come.
Most importantly, the audience reactions described from Annecy suggest that Pixar has created projects that generate the kind of genuine excitement and emotional connection that makes moviegoing feel magical. In an entertainment landscape often dominated by franchise obligations and commercial calculations, these announcements promise films that prioritize storytelling innovation and emotional authenticity.
