In a surprising revelation, animated film enthusiasts recently uncovered that the teaser of the much-anticipated “Toy Story 5,” presented at Disney’s D23 conference, bears an uncanny resemblance to animations used in an Apple Watch from several years prior. The film, scheduled to debut in 2026, is expected to bring back beloved characters such as Woody, Buzz, and Jessie, but fans were quick to spot a detail that suggests Pixar might be leaning on past creations.
A side-by-side comparison made by an observant user shows that the animations in the teaser closely mimic those created by Pixar for the watchOS 4, which was released back in 2017. Despite some editing to remove original black backgrounds in favor of a blue one, it is evident that the character animations of Woody waving, Jessie winking, and Buzz saluting were repurposed for the new teaser.
This discovery sparked conversations among fans about the uniqueness and originality of the animations tied to such a high-profile release, especially since Pixar is known for its innovation and cutting-edge animation techniques. The fan who initially noticed the similarity pointed out that, with two years until the movie’s release, there remains an opportunity for Pixar to deliver fresh and new animations for “Toy Story 5.”
Other fans joined in the discussion, expressing disappointment over the teaser’s lack of fresh content, diverging from what could be expected from a film studio with a stellar reputation for creativity. It remains to be seen whether Pixar will respond to this feedback and update the teaser with new animations or if the initial teaser will set the tone for the upcoming movie’s promotional approach.
While this occurrence has opened a dialogue regarding recycled content in film teasers, it provides a good conversation starter on the importance of originality in the entertainment industry. It’s a gentle reminder to creators and studios that audiences are attentive and value new content, which often serves as a driving force for excitement and engagement with a new film release.
