The global animated film industry has received a major boost after Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5 delivered one of the strongest box office openings ever recorded for an animated feature.
The performance highlights the continued commercial strength of established animation franchises at a time when studios are competing for audiences across cinemas, streaming platforms and digital entertainment channels.
According to industry figures, Toy Story 5 generated USD 160 million from 4,425 North American theatres during its opening weekend, making it the biggest domestic film debut of the year.
The film surpassed Universal’s Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which opened with USD 131.7 million.
Record Start for Pixar Franchise
The latest instalment has also become the highest-grossing opening in the Toy Story franchise.
It overtook Toy Story 4, which earned USD 120 million during its opening weekend in 2019.
Industry data shows Toy Story 5 now ranks as the second-largest animated opening weekend in history, behind only Incredibles 2, which opened with USD 182.7 million in 2018.
International markets also contributed strongly to the launch.
The film earned USD 152 million overseas, taking its global opening weekend revenue to USD 312 million.
For Disney and Pixar, the result reinforces the value of established intellectual property at a time when studios are increasingly relying on recognised brands to drive box office revenue.
Animation Remains a Major Business
Directed by Pixar veteran Andrew Stanton, Toy Story 5 follows Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie and their fellow toys as they confront the growing influence of technology in their owner Bonnie’s life.
The story centres around Bonnie’s attachment to a smart tablet called Lilypad, reflecting changing entertainment habits among younger audiences.
The film features the return of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and Joan Cusack in their iconic voice roles.
Taylor Swift Adds Marketing Boost
The release also received additional attention through the involvement of Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Taylor Swift.
Swift revealed on social media that she was inspired to write the film’s end-credit song, I Knew It, I Knew You, after watching the movie.
“I got so inspired, got the songwriter zoomies, went home, wrote the end credit song for Toy Story 5,” Swift said.
“We have now produced it, and I’m doing vocals.”
On June 9, Swift attended the Los Angeles premiere, where she performed the song live and joined composer Randy Newman for a duet of You’ve Got a Friend in Me.
The strong opening suggests animated films continue to be one of Hollywood’s most reliable revenue generators, particularly when supported by globally recognised brands and cross-industry partnerships.
Last modified: June 23, 2026
