Taylor Swift Stuns at the ‘Toy Story 5’ World Premiere With Surprise Performance Alongside Randy Newman
Disney and Pixar pulled out all the stops for the world premiere of Toy Story 5 in Los Angeles, delivering an emotional night filled with nostalgia, star power, and one unforgettable surprise.
Held at the iconic Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, the highly anticipated premiere brought together the beloved voices behind the franchise, including Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Conan O’Brien, Greta Lee, Craig Robinson, Tony Hale, and filmmakers Andrew Stanton, Kenna Harris, and Lindsey Collins.
But it was Taylor Swift who left the audience speechless.
The 14-time GRAMMY Award winner surprised guests with the live debut of “I Knew It, I Knew You,” a brand-new original song she wrote and produced with Jack Antonoff for Toy Story 5. As if that wasn’t enough, Swift then welcomed legendary composer Randy Newman to the stage for a heartfelt duet of the timeless classic “You’ve Got a Friend in Me.”
The beloved song, originally written and performed by Newman for 1995’s Toy Story, has become synonymous with the franchise and has appeared in every installment. Seeing Swift and Newman perform it together instantly became one of Disney’s most memorable premiere moments in recent years.
The evening wasn’t just about celebrating a movie. During the red carpet, attendees wrote heartfelt messages to children in hospitals as part of Disney, Pixar, and Starlight Children’s Foundation’s ongoing partnership. Through the Disney Movie Moments program, Toy Story 5 will be made available to nearly 400 hospitals nationwide while it’s still in theaters. Select hospitals in Oakland, Orlando, and Washington, D.C. will also receive themed play spaces inspired by Bonnie’s room, special screenings, character visits, and family activities.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 09: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO STANDALONE PUBLICATION USE. NO SPECIAL INTEREST OR SINGLE ARTIST PUBLICATION USE; NO BOOK USE) (L-R) Joan Cusack and Taylor Swift attend the Toy Story 5 Los Angeles World Premiere at Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California on June 09, 2026. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for for TAS Rights Management)
As for the film itself, Toy Story 5 introduces a timely new challenge for Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and the gang: technology. In the film, Bonnie’s toys come face-to-face with Lilypad, a new tablet device voiced by Greta Lee, whose ideas about what’s best for kids threaten to change playtime forever.
Directed by Academy Award winner Andrew Stanton and co-directed by Kenna Harris, the latest chapter asks a question that feels more relevant than ever: Can traditional imagination compete in a tech-driven world?
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After three decades of friendship, laughter, and tears, Toy Story 5 appears ready to remind audiences why these characters continue to resonate across generations. And if the emotional response from the world premiere is any indication, Disney and Pixar may have another instant classic on their hands.
Toy Story 5 is rated PG and releases exclusively in theaters nationwide on June 19, 2026.
