Toy Story 5 Smashes $71M Opening Day — And It's Not Even Done Yet

Pixar Just Broke the Box Office — Again

If you needed proof that Pixar still knows how to move mountains, look no further. Toy Story 5 officially opened in theaters this weekend and absolutely demolished expectations with a $71 million opening day in North America alone. That's not just a great start for a fifth installment — it's the biggest opening day of any film in 2026 so far, beating out everything from Avengers: Doomsday to Supergirl.

Disney and Pixar have done it again, proving that after nearly three decades, Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and the rest of the toy crew can still pull audiences into theaters in record-breaking numbers. Here's everything you need to know about the animated blockbuster that's already rewriting the box office rulebook.

A Franchise That Refuses to Age

Let's be real — nobody expected a fifth Toy Story movie to crack $71 million on day one. The last time we checked in with Woody (voiced once again by Tom Hanks) and Buzz (Tim Allen), it was Toy Story 4 back in 2019, which itself had a respectable opening. But 2026's Toy Story 5 has blown past all projections.

Industry analysts at BoxOfficePro are now predicting the film could pull in anywhere from $180 million to $220 million for its opening weekend domestically. If that holds, it would be the biggest animated opening since Incredibles 2 pulled $182 million back in 2018. For context, Pixar's other recent hits like Elemental and Elio had much softer debuts — so what changed?

Director Andrew Stanton, who previously helmed Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 3, returned to the franchise alongside co-director Angus MacLane. The duo clearly understood what fans wanted: a story that honors the legacy of the original trilogy while pushing the emotional stakes to new territory. Early audience scores on CinemaScore give the film an A+, matching the near-perfect reception of its predecessors.

The Bigger Picture: Why Toy Story 5 Matters for 2026

2026 has already been a wild year at the box office. We've seen Steven Spielberg's Disclosure Day deliver strong sci-fi numbers, Masters of the Universe with Nicholas Galitzine bring a surprisingly solid fantasy launch, and Avengers: Doomsday flex its Marvel muscle. But Toy Story 5's performance signals something important — original storytelling still wins, even when it comes wrapped in a beloved IP.

The film's success is also a massive relief for Disney, which has been navigating a rocky period since CEO Bob Iger announced his 2026 exit. After the animated division delivered mixed results with films like Wish, Toy Story 5 feels like a triumphant return to form. Disney+ subscribers can also look forward to the film landing on the streaming platform later this year, alongside Avatar: Fire and Ash and Pixar's Hoppers.

Meanwhile, the summer 2026 movie slate is only heating up. Illumination's Minions & Monsters drops in July, Supergirl is still riding its theatrical momentum, and Spider-Noir continues to dominate streaming on Disney+. But for this weekend? There's only one story in town — and Woody's riding tall.

Final Verdict

Toy Story 5 isn't just the best animated movie of 2026 — it might be the movie of the year, period. With a $71 million opening day, universal critical praise, and that classic Pixar heart that makes grown adults cry in the dark, it's proof that sometimes the best stories are the ones that bring you back home.

If you haven't seen it yet this weekend, don't wait. The toys are alive, and they're absolutely crushing it.