Pixar’s most beloved toys are proving they still have plenty of life left in them. Before its official weekend rollout, Toy Story 5 has already achieved something no other movie has managed this year: the biggest preview box office performance of 2026. According to Variety, the highly anticipated Disney-Pixar sequel earned an impressive $17.5 million in preview screenings, surpassing every other film released this year. The figure comfortably beats the previous 2026 record holder, Michael, which earned $12.6 million in previews before going on to become a major box office success.
The strong start signals another massive win for Disney and Pixar, with industry projections suggesting Toy Story 5 could open between $145 million and $150 million domestically, while some estimates are predicting an even bigger debut in the $160 million to $175 million range.
If those numbers hold, the film will not only become the biggest opening of 2026 so far but also the largest debut in the history of the Toy Story franchise. That would allow it to surpass Toy Story 4, which opened to $120 million back in 2019 before eventually crossing the $1 billion mark worldwide.
The latest installment reunites fan-favorite characters Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie and the rest of the toy gang, but this time they face a very modern challenge. In Toy Story 5, technology becomes the central threat as a smart tablet named Lilypad disrupts the toys’ place in a child’s world. The film also welcomes new voices to the franchise, including Conan O’Brien and Greta Lee, alongside returning stars Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and Joan Cusack.
The impressive preview figures suggest audiences remain deeply connected to the franchise nearly three decades after the original film changed animation forever. Released in 1995, Toy Story became Pixar’s first feature film and helped launch one of the most successful franchises in entertainment history.
Beyond ticket sales, the brand continues to generate billions through merchandise, games and publishing, making it one of Disney’s most valuable properties.
With glowing early reviews and strong family audience interest, Toy Story 5 appears poised to dominate theaters throughout the summer. After years of sequels, reboots and franchise fatigue discussions in Hollywood, the latest numbers suggest that some stories still have the power to bring audiences back to cinemas.
And if the preview numbers are any indication, Woody and Buzz are heading toward another box office adventure that could go far beyond infinity and beyond.