“Toy Story 5” Set a Record with $17.5 Million in Previews in 2026
The fifth installment of “Toy Story” kicked off with record-breaking revenue. Previews brought in $17.5 million for the film. This is the best result among 2026 premieres. Experts anticipate high final box office totals.
The animated film “Toy Story 5” began its theatrical run with an impressive achievement: it earned $17.5 million during preview screenings. This start allowed the project to become the leader in box office revenue among all films released in 2026, as reported by Variety. The previous record belonged to the film “Michael,” which brought in $12.6 million at a similar stage.
Analysts note that such a high level of interest in the fifth part of the franchise is driven not only by the brand’s popularity but also by audience expectations as viewers follow the evolving story of Woody, Buzz, and Jessie. According to an assessment by Peterburg2.ru, the success of the previews could serve as an indicator for the entire animation film industry this year.
“Toy Story 5” ranks second among animated films in all-time preview box office earnings. The absolute leader remains “Incredibles 2,” which collected $18.5 million before its official release in 2018. Nevertheless, Pixar’s current result looks like a strong bid for leadership in 2026.
Film market experts predict that “Toy Story 5” could earn between $145 million and $150 million over its opening weekend. Some analysts suggest that the final opening weekend total might be even higher, in the range of $160 million to $175 million. This spread in estimates is due to the consistently high interest in the franchise and minimal competition among June premieres.
The fifth installment premiered on June 19. This time, the creators offered audiences a new storyline: Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and other familiar characters face an unusual antagonist—a tablet named LilyPad. This choice of villain feels modern and reflects current trends in children’s culture.
Before the film’s release, a short animated feature about Buzz Lightyear was shown in Shanghai, which fueled interest in the premiere and expanded the audience. More details about the special screening can be found in a piece from Peterburg2.
According to Variety data, such a successful start for “Toy Story 5” could influence the release strategies of other major animated projects. For comparison, in 2025, no animated film came close to achieving similar results in previews. It is worth noting that the Pixar franchise remains one of the most recognizable and commercially successful in the world. The introduction of a new antagonist and a fresh plot twist are likely to attract not only children but also adult viewers who grew up with the earlier installments. This sets the stage for further growth in interest in the series and strengthens the studio’s position in the global animation market.
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