Disney and Pixar are set to release Toy Story 5 this weekend, marking the franchise’s first new installment in seven years and signaling another major test for the studio’s box office strength in 2026.
The film follows the strong performance of Hoppers, which became one of the year’s biggest hits earlier in 2026. Now, Disney is betting on one of its most reliable brands to deliver even larger results as audiences return to theaters.
Toy Story 5 reunites Tom Hanks as Woody and Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear, while shifting the spotlight to Jessie, voiced by Joan Cusack. The story centers on a new conflict as Bonnie receives a tablet called LilyPad, introducing a direct challenge from modern technology that threatens to push traditional toys into irrelevance.
The franchise has remained a consistent performer for more than three decades. Toy Story 4 brought in $1.074 billion worldwide in 2019, narrowly surpassing Toy Story 3, which earned $1.067 billion in 2010. Both films proved the brand still draws families despite changing entertainment habits.
Early projections suggest Toy Story 5 could open between $145 million and $150 million domestically, according to Variety. Some estimates push even higher, with forecasts reaching as much as $175 million if demand holds. That would set a new franchise record, topping the $121 million debut of Toy Story 4 and the $110 million opening of Toy Story 3.
If those numbers hold, the film would also surpass The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which currently leads 2026 with a $131.7 million opening weekend. That would place Disney back at the top of the domestic box office during a year when theatrical performance has faced continued pressure from streaming competition and shifting audience habits.
Pixar’s long term track record adds to expectations. All five of the studio’s billion dollar releases have arrived since 2010, with four of those coming after 2016. The Toy Story series alone accounts for two of those global hits, reinforcing its role as a cornerstone of Disney’s animation strategy.
Critics have responded positively so far. Toy Story 5 holds a 93 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, making it one of Pixar’s stronger recent releases, though slightly below earlier entries in the core series. Even so, the score positions the film as another critical success at a time when studios are under pressure to justify big budget sequels.
The film arrives in theaters at a moment when Hollywood continues to lean on established franchises to drive revenue. For Disney, the stakes are clear. A strong opening for Toy Story 5 would reinforce the company’s reliance on legacy brands while raising fresh questions about whether original storytelling can still compete at the same scale.
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