ESPN’s “We’re Going” Super Bowl LXI campaign just got its biggest creative moment yet: a brand-new animated spot called “Toy Story 5.5” that debuted during Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs, featuring animated versions of ESPN personalities alongside Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, and the rest of the Toy Story gang.
What Is “Toy Story 5.5”?
The new spot is part of ESPN’s ongoing “We’re Going” campaign, which has been building toward Super Bowl LXI in Los Angeles in February 2027 — the first Super Bowl ESPN has ever broadcast. “Toy Story 5.5” taps into the release of Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5, which hits theaters exclusively on June 19, 2026, to deliver what might be the most ambitious ad in the campaign so far. If you have not grabbed your tickets yet, Toy Story 5 tickets are on sale now at all major chains.
The spot features animated versions of ESPN Super Bowl commentators Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, and Lisa Salters, alongside action figures of Pat McAfee, Adam Schefter, Peyton and Eli Manning, Randy Moss, and Jason Kelce. ESPN mascot App-E also makes a cameo. The spot opens with Laura Rutledge and NFL analyst Marcus Spears in an office scene debating why the toy action figures are not being packed — because they need to hold the fort down while everyone else heads out.
Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and Joan Cusack reprise their roles as Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and Jessie respectively, making this a full crossover with the actual Toy Story 5 film rather than just a visual style nod.
What Is the “We’re Going” Campaign?
ESPN launched “We’re Going” back in February 2026 following Super Bowl LX, reimagining the classic “I’m Going to Disney World” Super Bowl tradition on a massive scale. The original spot featured more than 60 Disney characters — including Darth Vader, Iron Man, Grogu, Stitch, Moana, and the Muppets — all united around one destination: Super Bowl LXI. Each new installment of the campaign adds to that momentum, and “Toy Story 5.5” is the latest chapter in what ESPN has described as a year-long adventure leading up to kickoff.
What Is Toy Story 5 About?
Toy Story 5 centers on Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and the rest of the gang facing their biggest challenge yet: electronics. The film’s central conflict pits the classic analog toys against Lilypad, voiced by Greta Lee, a tablet device in a frog-themed case who arrives with her own ideas about what is best for their kid Bonnie. Conan O’Brien voices a new character named Smarty Pants, and Ernie Hudson steps in as Combat Carl following the passing of Carl Weathers in 2024.
The film is directed by Academy Award winner Andrew Stanton, co-directed by Kenna Harris, produced by Lindsey Collins, and features an original score by Oscar winner Randy Newman returning for his fifth Toy Story film. It opens exclusively in theaters June 19, 2026. FLN has the full breakdown of every Toy Story 5 product announced during Roundup Reveal Week if you want to see the full scope of what Disney and Pixar have lined up around the release.
Why This Matters for Disney Fans
The “We’re Going” campaign is one of the more creative pieces of Disney cross-platform marketing in recent memory. Using the Toy Story 5 release window to drop an ESPN ad that is essentially a mini Toy Story short — complete with the original voice cast — is the kind of move that only works because Disney owns both properties. For fans heading to theaters for Toy Story 5 this summer, the “Toy Story 5.5” spot is worth tracking down before you go. It sets the tone perfectly for what the film’s “toy meets tech” premise is doing.
If you are still planning your opening weekend setup, FLN has the complete guide to every Toy Story 5 popcorn bucket and tumbler available at theaters across AMC, Regal, Cinemark, Marcus, and more. Walmart is also selling a Toy Story 5 Snack Container with a $15 Fandango Movie Reward for $39.99 if you want to bring the collectible experience home before you even walk into the theater.
Our Take
This is genuinely clever. ESPN getting the actual Toy Story 5 voice cast to animate their sports personalities is not a typical brand partnership — it is a full creative collaboration, and the result looks like it belongs in the Toy Story universe rather than feeling like an ad that borrowed the aesthetic. The timing with the NBA Finals is smart too. Disney is going to have Toy Story 5 front of mind for casual viewers who might not be tracking the theatrical release date, and this spot will do real work. If the rest of the “We’re Going” spots between now and February 2027 land at this level, it is going to be a genuinely great campaign to watch unfold.
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