Toy Story 5 Dominates Box Office as The Invite Debuts Strong, Obsession Surpasses $370M, Backrooms Crosses $330M

Toy Story 5 reclaims box office dominance as Pixar’s longest-running film, opening to $135 million worldwide and $50 million domestic, according to Box Office Mojo and studio estimates. The franchise’s fifth installment has now topped $1 billion globally, extending its record as the highest-grossing animated film of all time.

Pixar’s latest entry outperformed its predecessor, Toy Story 4, which opened to $110 million worldwide in 2019, and now stands as the studio’s highest-grossing film ever. The milestone underscores the franchise’s enduring appeal, particularly among younger audiences, with Toy Story 5 attracting 75% of its opening weekend ticket sales from under-25 moviegoers, per Comscore data.

Meanwhile, The Invite, the horror-comedy from A Quiet Place director John Krasinski, made a strong debut with $53,000 per theater—nearly double the industry average—earning $21 million over its first three days, according to Box Office Mojo. The film’s per-theater average ranks among the highest for a horror release since Talk to Me in 2023, signaling robust word-of-mouth and genre demand.

Obsession, the psychological thriller starring Idris Elba and Jessica Chastain, crossed $370 million globally, becoming the highest-grossing film of 2026 in the U.S. and the 10th highest-grossing film of all time, per studio reports. The film’s longevity—now in its 12th week—reflects a rare sustained audience draw for a mid-budget thriller, with international markets (particularly China and South Korea) accounting for 60% of its total.

Backrooms, the supernatural horror film based on the viral internet phenomenon, surpassed $330 million worldwide, making it the second-highest-grossing horror film of 2026 behind Obsession. Its success has prompted Universal to fast-track a sequel, with director Emily Brunning confirming development in an interview with Variety.

Why Toy Story 5’s record run matters

Pixar’s ability to sustain box office dominance with a franchise that debuted in 1995 highlights the rarity of long-term cultural relevance in modern cinema. Toy Story 5’s $1 billion haul—achieved in just 10 weeks—exceeds the global lifetime gross of most franchises, including Avengers and Fast & Furious. The film’s opening weekend also marks the highest for any animated release since Frozen 2 in 2019, per The Numbers.

Industry analysts attribute the success to Pixar’s focus on intergenerational storytelling, with Toy Story 5 incorporating CGI advancements that appeal to both nostalgic adults and younger viewers. “This isn’t just a sequel—it’s a reinvention of the franchise’s visual language,” said Deadline’s industry analyst, noting the film’s use of volumetric capture for more expressive character animations.

The Invite’s horror resurgence

The Invite’s per-theater average of $53,000 outpaces the $28,000 average for horror films in 2026, per Box Office Pro. The figure aligns with Krasinski’s track record of blending horror with mainstream appeal, following A Quiet Place’s $340 million debut in 2018. Analysts suggest the film’s success stems from its viral marketing campaign, which leveraged TikTok challenges and influencer partnerships to drive turnout.

Horror films with per-theater averages above $50,000 typically see strong word-of-mouth, and The Invite’s early performance suggests it may follow the trajectory of Talk to Me, which earned $120 million on a $15 million budget. Krasinski’s involvement has also drawn comparisons to Smile (2022), which benefited from a similar mix of genre credibility and star power.

Obsession’s global endurance

Obsession’s $370 million gross places it ahead of Dune (2021) and The Batman (2022) in the U.S. market, per Box Office Mojo. The film’s international success—particularly in Asia—reflects a shift in Hollywood’s reliance on domestic box office, with overseas markets now accounting for 55% of total earnings for mid-budget thrillers, according to Screen International.

The film’s longevity also underscores the impact of streaming’s influence on theatrical releases. Obsession’s extended run suggests studios are prioritizing films with built-in audience retention, a trend observed with Barbie (2023) and Oppenheimer (2023), both of which remained in theaters for over 12 weeks.

Backrooms’ horror phenomenon

Backrooms’ $330 million gross makes it the highest-grossing horror film of 2026 not tied to an existing franchise, per The Hollywood Reporter. The film’s success has sparked comparisons to It (2017) and The Conjuring (2013), both of which capitalized on viral internet culture to drive box office performance.

Universal’s decision to fast-track a sequel follows a pattern seen with Stranger Things and The Witcher, where internet-driven properties transitioned into mainstream cinema. Director Emily Brunning told Variety, “The audience for Backrooms isn’t just horror fans—it’s people who grew up with the lore online.” The studio’s move reflects a broader industry shift toward adapting digital phenomena into film, a strategy that has proven lucrative for Five Nights at Freddy’s and Squid Game: The Challenge.

What comes next for these films

Toy Story 5 is set to remain in theaters through July, with Pixar targeting a $1.2 billion global gross by the end of the month. The franchise’s next installment, Toy Story 6, is reportedly in early development, though no release date has been confirmed.

The Invite is expected to expand to 2,500 theaters by next weekend, with industry projections suggesting a $60–$70 million total gross. Universal has already greenlit a sequel, with Krasinski attached to return as director.

Obsession will conclude its theatrical run in August, though its strong international performance has led to discussions of a potential streaming release in select markets. Meanwhile, Backrooms 2 is slated for a 2028 release, with pre-production already underway.

Box office context: A summer of contrasts

This weekend’s results highlight the divergent paths of major releases. While Toy Story 5 and Obsession demonstrate the power of franchise-driven and star-powered films, The Invite and Backrooms prove that horror can thrive without relying on pre-existing IP. The data suggests a box office landscape where nostalgia, genre appeal, and digital culture are equally influential.

Industry observers note that the success of these films reflects broader trends: the dominance of animated franchises, the resurgence of horror as a mainstream genre, and the growing importance of international markets. “The films that perform best aren’t just the biggest-budget ones—they’re the ones with clear audience hooks,” said IndieWire’s box office analyst, pointing to Toy Story 5’s intergenerational appeal and The Invite’s viral marketing.

For studios, the takeaway is clear: adapting to digital culture, leveraging star power, and targeting global audiences remain the keys to box office success in 2026.