More than three decades after Woody and Buzz first became household names, Toy Story 5 has proven that audiences still aren’t ready to say goodbye. Disney and Pixar’s latest installment has stormed into theaters with a massive $160 million domestic opening weekend, making it the biggest debut of 2026 so far and the highest opening in the history of the beloved franchise. The impressive launch surpasses the previous franchise record set by Toy Story 4, which opened to $120 million in 2019. International audiences showed up in equally large numbers, helping the film collect an additional $152 million overseas for a staggering global opening weekend total of $312 million.
The film’s success is another major win for Disney, which has turned the Toy Story universe into one of the most valuable entertainment franchises ever created. Before the release of Toy Story 5, the series had already generated more than $3 billion at the global box office, alongside billions more through merchandise, games and licensing.
What’s particularly remarkable is that the franchise is now 31 years old. The original Toy Story debuted in 1995 and revolutionized animation as the first fully computer-animated feature film. Since then, Woody, Buzz Lightyear and the rest of the gang have remained pop culture staples across multiple generations.
The latest chapter brings back franchise favorites voiced by Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and Joan Cusack. This time, the toys find themselves competing with modern technology when Bonnie becomes attached to a new smart tablet named Lilypad, creating a fresh challenge for the beloved characters.
The movie also features a new original song from Taylor Swift, adding another major star name to an already iconic franchise.
Critics and audiences have responded positively to the sequel. Moviegoers awarded the film an “A” CinemaScore, suggesting strong word-of-mouth that could help sustain its momentum throughout the summer.
The blockbuster debut wasn’t great news for everyone at the box office. Steven Spielberg’s sci-fi thriller Disclosure Day dropped to second place with $17 million in its second weekend, while Hugh Jackman’s The Death of Robin Hood struggled to find an audience, earning just $2.6 million during its opening frame.
Meanwhile, Toy Story 5 has already positioned itself as one of the biggest movies of the year and appears well on its way toward joining its predecessor in the billion-dollar club.
For a franchise that many thought had ended with Toy Story 3, the numbers prove one thing: audiences still have plenty of room in their hearts for Woody and Buzz.