Toy Story 5 Is About to Crush 2026 Box Office — Tom Hanks, Taylor Swift, and Pixar's Boldest Sequel Yet

Pixar's Most Anticipated Sequel Is Just One Week Away

Mark your calendars, because Toy Story 5 hits theaters on June 19, 2026, and every box office prediction is pointing to one thing: this is going to be the biggest movie opening of the year so far. Pixar and Disney are about to remind everyone why this franchise has been untouchable for over three decades.

The latest box office projections have Toy Story 5 on track for a massive opening weekend, potentially outpacing everything from The Mandalorian and Grogu to Spider-Man: Brand New Day this year. After Super Mario Galaxy already crossed the $1 billion mark earlier in 2026, Pixar is looking to keep the animated dominance going.

Tom Hanks on Why He Came Back for One More Round

Here's the thing about Tom Hanks and Tim Allen — they didn't just sign up for Toy Story 5 out of obligation. In a candid appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on June 8, Hanks revealed the real reason they both returned to voice Woody and Buzz Lightyear for a fifth installment.

"We take this very seriously. We don't have to do these if we don't want to," Hanks told Kimmel. The real deal-breaker? Director Andrew Stanton — the legendary Pixar filmmaker behind Finding Nemo and WALL-E — was given complete creative freedom (carte blanche) at Pixar. When Stanton came back with a pitch for a new Toy Story film, Hanks and Allen had a phone call about it. Their initial reaction? "I'm not so sure it's going to live up to the other four," Allen reportedly said. But they gave it a shot anyway.

That skepticism might be exactly what makes this sequel special — the original voices didn't come back lightly.

Taylor Swift, Greta Lee, and a Fresh Cast

But the returning stars are only part of the story. Taylor Swift has contributed an original song called "I Knew It, I Knew You" for Toy Story 5 — and she reportedly got emotional performing it at the premiere after the credits rolled in Los Angeles. The pop superstar's involvement adds another layer of anticipation for what's already shaping up to be a cultural moment.

Newcomer Greta Lee (from The Morning Show and Past Lives) joins the cast voicing a new iPad-channeling character, bringing a generational clash angle that could be the emotional core of the film. The mix of classic characters with modern tech-savvy newcomers is exactly the kind of storytelling that made Toy Story 3 and Toy Story 4 resonate so deeply.

Why This Matters for Pixar's Future

Let's be honest — Pixar has had its ups and downs in recent years. But a massive Toy Story 5 opening would send a clear message: when Pixar gets the storytelling right, audiences show up. After a competitive 2026 box office that's already seen Project Hail Mary with Ryan Gosling, Backrooms shattering A24 records, and Masters of the Universe stumbling, Toy Story 5 could be the definitive blockbuster of the summer.

June 19 can't come soon enough. Grab your popcorn — Woody and Buzz are back for one more adventure.