There’s a new sheriff in town at the box office.
Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5 has roared to the biggest opening weekend of 2026, pulling in a massive $160 million domestically and $312 million worldwide. The fifth installment in Pixar’s beloved franchise has not only surpassed expectations but also delivered the biggest debut in the series’ history, proving that audiences still have plenty of love for Woody, Buzz, and the gang.
The film’s opening eclipses the previous franchise record set by Toy Story 4 and marks the strongest box office debut of the year, outperforming major releases including The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. Industry analysts had projected an opening between $160 million and $175 million, with the film ultimately landing squarely in that range.
Directed by Andrew Stanton and co-directed by Kenna Harris, Toy Story 5 reunites franchise favorites voiced by Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and Joan Cusack while introducing a new generation of characters, including the tablet villain Lilypad, voiced by Greta Lee. The story explores the growing tension between traditional toys and children’s increasing dependence on screens, a theme that has resonated with families and critics alike.
The response has been overwhelmingly positive. The film earned an “A” CinemaScore, along with a 93% critics score and 95% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, signaling another major win for Pixar and Disney as the summer movie season continues its resurgence.
With its record-breaking debut, Toy Story 5 has already become one of Pixar’s biggest successes and could be on track to become the highest-grossing entry in the franchise. More importantly, it has once again proven that after nearly three decades, audiences still believe that they’ve got a friend in these toys.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter and additional box office reporting.
