Toy Story 5 Crushes Box Office Expectations With $129.3M Global Opening

Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story 5 has already surpassed its global opening forecast, racking up $129.3 million in its first weekend, according to box office data from Deadline and industry tracking. The film, directed by Andrew Stanton, earned $71 million domestically—a figure that outpaces the studio’s initial $275 million worldwide projection for its opening weekend. Analysts and industry observers now expect the franchise’s fifth installment to cement its place as one of the highest-grossing animated films of the year, building on the $1.4 billion global haul of Toy Story 4 (2019).

The numbers reflect a strong international performance as well, with markets outside the U.S. contributing $58.3 million to the total. Early reports suggest particularly robust showings in key territories like China, where the film has already topped local box office charts, and Europe, where advanced screenings drew record crowds. Disney/Pixar has not yet released a breakdown of per-market earnings, but sources close to the studio describe the international response as "exceptionally strong," particularly among younger audiences and repeat franchise fans.

Why is Toy Story 5 performing so well at the box office?
The film’s success can be attributed to a combination of factors, including its star-studded voice cast—led by Tom Hanks as Woody, Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear, and Annie Potts as Bo Peep—and a narrative that expands on the emotional depth established in previous entries. Unlike earlier Toy Story films, which focused on the toys’ adventures, Toy Story 5 centers on a generational shift, exploring themes of legacy and change as the original characters prepare to pass the torch to a new generation. This thematic pivot has resonated with both critics and audiences, with early reviews praising its balance of humor, heart, and visual innovation.

Comparatively, Toy Story 5 is already outperforming other recent animated blockbusters in its opening weekend. For example, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023) earned $60.1 million domestically in its debut, while The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) brought in $47.4 million. Toy Story 5’s $71 million domestic total places it among the top 10 highest-grossing animated film openings of the past decade, according to Box Office Mojo data. The film’s strong start also follows a trend of Disney/Pixar properties maintaining dominance in the animated space, with Elemental (2023) and Inside Out 2 (2024) both delivering over $100 million in their opening weekends.

What comes next for Toy Story 5 at the box office?
With no major competing releases in the immediate pipeline, Toy Story 5 is positioned to extend its box office momentum into the coming weeks. Disney has not yet announced a specific release window for the film, but industry insiders suggest it will remain in theaters for at least six weeks, aligning with the typical run for a major animated franchise. The studio is also expected to leverage the film’s success with a robust marketing push, including merchandise tie-ins, theme park integrations, and potential streaming releases post-theatrical run.

One key question remains: Can Toy Story 5 surpass Toy Story 4’s $1.4 billion global total? While early numbers are promising, the bar is exceptionally high. Toy Story 4 benefited from a longer theatrical run and strong international legs, particularly in China, where it became the highest-grossing animated film of all time. Toy Story 5 will need to maintain its current pace—and potentially exceed it—to reach those heights. For now, however, the film’s opening weekend sets a new benchmark for animated film openings in 2026.

Disney/Pixar has not yet commented on the box office performance beyond confirming the figures. The studio’s next major animated release, Frozen III, is currently in production and slated for a 2027 release, but Toy Story 5’s success could influence the timing and marketing strategies for future projects. Analysts at Comscore and other industry trackers describe the film’s opening as a "textbook case study in franchise longevity," highlighting how Toy Story continues to deliver both critical and commercial success nearly three decades after its debut.