Toy Story 5 has claimed the biggest box office opening of 2026 with an estimated $160 million in domestic ticket sales during its debut weekend. The Pixar sequel also earned $152 million internationally, bringing its worldwide total to $312 million in just its first weekend of release in the United States and Canada.
The animated film surpassed Toy Story 4, which held the previous franchise record with a $120 million opening weekend in 2019. The new installment launches 31 years after the original Toy Story first introduced audiences to Woody, Buzz Lightyear and the rest of the beloved characters.
Record-Breaking Performance for Pixar
The $160 million domestic debut represents a significant milestone for both the Toy Story franchise and Pixar Animation Studios. Before this release, the Toy Story franchise had already grossed more than $3 billion worldwide, and the latest installment is poised to add substantially to that total.
Audiences have responded positively to the new film, awarding it an A CinemaScore, which indicates strong word-of-mouth potential for the coming weeks. The production budget for Toy Story 5 was $250 million, excluding marketing costs.
While the opening is impressive, it falls short of the all-time record for an animated film opening weekend. Incredibles 2 still holds that distinction with its $182.7 million debut in 2018. That film remains the benchmark for animated releases at the domestic box office.
Returning Voice Cast and Creative Team
Tom Hanks returns to voice Woody, the cowboy doll who has anchored the franchise since its 1995 debut. Tim Allen reprises his role as Buzz Lightyear, the space ranger action figure, while Joan Cusack returns as cowgirl Jessie.
Andrew Stanton directed Toy Story 5, bringing his experience from previous Pixar projects to the beloved franchise. Taylor Swift contributed a new song to the film, adding another dimension to the musical landscape of the sequel.
Summer Box Office Recovery Continues
The success of Toy Story 5 contributes to a strong summer movie season. The summer box office is up 15% compared to summer 2025. At the same point in the calendar, summer 2026 ticket sales are only 1.9% down from summer 2019, which was considered a pre-pandemic benchmark year for theatrical releases.
Paul Dergarabedian, head of marketplace trends for Rentrak, offered perspective on the current box office landscape. He stated that this summer represents a new model for building successful theatrical seasons.
“To me, this is a hybrid summer and this could be the new blueprint for how you build the perfect summer box-office beast. You throw in a mix of very eclectic films and not just the usual suspects — the big franchise films, the known brands — but also films like ‘Backrooms’ and ‘Obsession’ and original films like ‘Disclosure Day,'” Dergarabedian said.
Competition at the Box Office
Disclosure Day, directed by Steven Spielberg, dropped to second place in its second weekend with an estimated $17 million in ticket sales. The film stars Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor and Colman Domingo. With a production budget of $115 million, Disclosure Day has earned $160.4 million globally in its first two weeks of release.
Obsession, directed by 26-year-old Curry Barker, added $14.2 million in its sixth weekend of release. The film has now accumulated $215.8 million domestically and $333.3 million worldwide, demonstrating impressive staying power.
Among new releases competing with Toy Story 5, The Death of Robin Hood opened with $2.6 million on 1,762 screens. Directed by Michael Sarnoski and starring Hugh Jackman, the film had a production budget of $20 million.
Leviticus, written and directed by Adrian Chiarella, debuted with $2.7 million in 1,076 theaters. The film was made with a budget of $3.5 million.
Franchise History and Legacy
The Toy Story franchise has been a cornerstone of Pixar’s success since the original film revolutionized animation in 1995. Toy Story 3 was released in 2010, and Toy Story 4 followed in 2019, both achieving significant commercial and critical success.
The latest installment marks the return to this world after a seven-year gap since the fourth film. The franchise has consistently performed well at the box office, and the $3 billion cumulative gross before Toy Story 5 speaks to its enduring popularity with audiences.
What We Know So Far
Toy Story 5 has achieved the biggest opening weekend of 2026 with $160 million domestically. The film earned $152 million internationally for a combined $312 million worldwide debut. This surpasses the previous franchise record of $120 million set by Toy Story 4 in 2019.
The film received an A CinemaScore from audiences, indicating strong satisfaction among viewers. The production budget was $250 million before marketing expenses. The original voice cast, including Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and Joan Cusack, returned for the sequel.
It is important to note that these figures are studio estimates. Final box office numbers will be confirmed on Monday.
What Happens Next
Final domestic and international box office figures for the opening weekend will be released on Monday, when studios confirm actual ticket sales rather than estimates. The strong audience reception, reflected in the A CinemaScore, suggests the film may hold well in its second weekend.
The summer box office season continues with various films competing for audience attention. The 15% increase over summer 2025 indicates healthy theatrical attendance, and Toy Story 5 is positioned to be a major contributor to summer totals.
Important Details
The box office figures reported are studio estimates and represent ticket sales across the United States and Canada. The international total of $152 million covers markets outside North America where the film has opened.
The $250 million production budget does not include marketing and distribution costs, which typically add significantly to a film’s total investment. Studios generally need films to earn approximately twice their production budget to break even when marketing is factored in.
The summer 2026 box office comparison to summer 2019 uses the same calendar point, meaning the figures compare similar periods in both years.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did Toy Story 5 make opening weekend?
Toy Story 5 earned an estimated $160 million in domestic ticket sales during its opening weekend. Internationally, the film made $152 million for a worldwide total of $312 million.
Is Toy Story 5 the biggest animated film opening ever?
No. Incredibles 2 holds the record for the biggest animated film opening with $182.7 million in 2018. Toy Story 5’s $160 million is the biggest opening for the Toy Story franchise specifically.
Who voices Woody and Buzz in Toy Story 5?
Tom Hanks returns as the voice of Woody, and Tim Allen reprises his role as Buzz Lightyear. Joan Cusack also returns as the voice of Jessie.
How much did Toy Story 5 cost to make?
Toy Story 5 had a production budget of $250 million. This figure does not include marketing and distribution costs.
How does Toy Story 5 compare to Toy Story 4?
Toy Story 5’s $160 million opening weekend surpassed Toy Story 4’s $120 million debut in 2019, setting a new franchise record for opening weekend performance.
The strong opening for Toy Story 5 reinforces the continued appeal of the beloved Pixar franchise 31 years after it first began. The film’s performance also signals healthy audience demand for theatrical animated releases as the summer movie season continues.
