'Toy Story 5' Soars to Biggest Global Opening of 2026 — and Second-Biggest Domestic Animated Debut Ever

'Toy Story 5' Soars to Biggest Global Opening of 2026 - and Second-Biggest Domestic Animated Debut Ever

Disney and Pixar's Toy Story 5, the fifth chapter in one of the most beloved franchises in movie history, pulled in an estimated $312 million worldwide in its debut this weekend, including $160 million domestically and $152 million overseas.

The film - which reunites Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), Jessie (Joan Cusack), and the rest of the gang as they come face-to-face with Lilypad (Greta Lee), a brand-new tablet - marked the biggest global opening of 2026 and the second-largest animated debut of all time domestically behind another Pixar film, 2018's The Incredibles 2.

It is the biggest opening weekend in franchise history - domestically, internationally, and globally.

A Story That Grows with its Audience

The opening of Toy Story 5 is a showcase of what Disney does best - turning a story into a universe that lives everywhere fans do.

When the original film debuted in 1995, it didn't just redefine animation. It launched a franchise that has since become woven into every corner of Disney.

Fans can revisit the magic of the films on Disney+ through the Toy Story Collection, step inside the story at every Disney theme park and aboard Disney Cruise Line, bring the characters home through consumer products, and feel the franchise's positive impact in communities around the world. Now, Toy Story 5 is poised to carry forward the love that has defined this franchise for more than three decades.

"When we made Toy Story 2, we realized we could just let life progress," said director Andrew Stanton, who is now Vice President, Creative, at Pixar Animation Studios. "By the time we let Andy grow up and go to college in Toy Story 3, we realized the toys don't age, but the kids do. These movies move along in parallel [to the audience] - maybe not exactly in real time, but you have a different point of view in life, and things have changed for you."

Critics and Audiences Agree

Toy Story 5 wasn't just a hit with audiences - it won over critics, too.

The film notched a 93% "Certified Fresh" critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes, a 95% Verified Moviegoers score, and an "A" CinemaScore. Those numbers are another reminder that Toy Story isn't just a blockbuster franchise - it's a critically acclaimed one, too.

In anticipation of Toy Story 5, the first four Toy Story films drove over 60 million hours on Disney+ - the largest lift ever seen for an upcoming theatrical release.

The four films of the franchise have generated more than $3 billion globally, two of which have crossed $1 billion individually, ahead of the release of Toy Story 5. Also, the franchise has earned 11 Academy Award nominations and 3 wins, including 2 for Best Animated Feature and 1 for Best Original Song.