Disney and Pixar have a real hit on their hands. Toy Story 5 took more than $312m (£236m) at the global box office in its first three days, the strongest opening weekend in the history of the animated franchise and a much-needed shot in the arm for a studio that has endured a few years.
Released on June 19, the fifth chapter of the Toy Story saga reunites Woody, Jessie and Buzz Lightyear, only this time their fiercest rival is not a rival toy but a tablet computer. The premise has clearly come with families: audiences gave the film the coveted “A” CinemaScore, and the numbers followed.
The opening grossed about $160m in North America and about $152m in international markets, according to figures reported by Variety. That makes it the second-biggest worldwide launch of the year so far, behind only Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which remains the highest-grossing release of 2026 and took north of $1bn.
In the business behind the toys, the outcome carries real weight. With a production budget of around $250m, Toy Story 5 needs to earn at least twice that amount to cover marketing and distribution costs before it can turn a profit. On the evidence of the opening weekend, that seems within reach.
Pixar has form here. Studio films have historically made back their budgets, often several times over, with many titles taking three times what they cost to make and promote. The sequels in particular have been reliable earners: The Incredibles 2 and Inside Out 2 both passed the $1bn mark, as did the third and fourth installments of Toy Story.
The win is especially important given the run that has preceded it. Recent Pixar and Disney releases such as alien adventure Elio and Toy Story spin-off Lightyear have done well, while The Mandalorian and Grogu, the studio’s latest big-budget Star Wars release, is yet to double its $165m budget. The franchise’s flagship opening is helping to steady the ship, and follows a wider recovery for Disney’s UK business as its theatrical and broadcasting arms gain a firmer footing.
The result counters the industry’s challenging image. Overall box office receipts have fallen since the Covid-19 pandemic, as studios struggle to lure audiences back to cinemas and viewing habits shift to streaming platforms. The pressure has been keenly felt by big-budget producers, many of whom have stumbled despite huge marketing spend, and tight domestic budgets have prompted some viewers to opt out of streaming altogether.
Against this backdrop, the top-performing marquee release is exactly the kind of results distributors and exhibitors have been waiting for, as the trade hopes a strong summer slide, including Apple’s much-promoted F1 motor racing feature, can keep the momentum going.
Toy Story remains one of Pixar’s most profitable properties, having grossed more than $3bn at the global box office since Woody and Buzz first hit the screen in 1995. The original film, set in a world where toys come to life when no one is watching, revolutionized the use of computer-generated imagery and propelled Pixar to the forefront of animation studios.
This latest opening, pegged by Deadline as a potential franchise and year-to-date record before release, suggests that the series’ passion isn’t dead. After a tough stretch, Disney and Pixar will hope it’s a sign the magic is back.
