Pixar isn’t just back.
It’s back in a massive way.
After weeks of strong tracking, Toy Story 5 has delivered a major early box office milestone. The animated sequel earned $17.5 million in Thursday preview screenings, according to TheWrap’s June 19, 2026 box office report by Jeremy Fuster. The figure gives the film the biggest preview performance of 2026 so far and the strongest preview launch in Toy Story franchise history.
The number also makes Toy Story 5 the second-biggest preview performer ever for an animated film, behind The Incredibles 2, which earned $18.5 million in previews in 2018. Toy Story 4, by comparison, collected $12 million from previews before opening to approximately $120.9 million domestically.
The result immediately puts Toy Story 5 in position for one of the biggest animated openings of the year.
Toy Story 5 Is Chasing Franchise History
Before release, box office forecasts were already pointing toward a record-breaking debut. The Los Angeles Times, in a June 18, 2026 analysis by Samantha Masunaga and Cerys Davies, reported that analysts expected the film to earn at least $150 million domestically, with some projections reaching $175 million.
A separate forecast published by Boxoffice Pro, and reported by WDW News Today on June 10, placed the film’s opening-weekend range at $150 million to $175 million.
Those estimates would put Toy Story 5 comfortably ahead of every previous mainline entry in the franchise. The current record belongs to Toy Story 4, which opened to $120.9 million in North America in 2019.
The $17.5 million preview haul is not just a strong number in isolation. It also gives the film a substantial head start over its predecessors and suggests that audiences are willing to return to the franchise in large numbers.
Toy Story Franchise Opening Weekend Comparison
| Film | Domestic Opening Weekend |
|---|---|
| Toy Story (1995) | $29.1M |
| Toy Story 2 (1999) | $57.4M |
| Toy Story 3 (2010) | $110.3M |
| Toy Story 4 (2019) | $120.9M |
| Toy Story 5 (Projected) | $150M–$175M |
Based on the current forecasts, Toy Story 5 could set a new franchise opening-weekend record by a wide margin. It could also become one of the biggest domestic openings ever for an animated movie, although that will depend on how the film performs across the full weekend.
Why Audiences Are Showing Up
What makes Toy Story different from most legacy franchises is its unusually broad audience. Parents who grew up with Woody and Buzz are now taking their own children to see the characters, giving Pixar access to multiple generations at once.
That cross-generational appeal has always been one of the franchise’s strongest commercial advantages. The films are familiar enough to trigger nostalgia, but accessible enough for younger viewers who may be encountering the characters for the first time.
Toy Story 5 also gives audiences a new conflict rather than simply repeating the previous films. The story centers on Bonnie’s growing attachment to a high-tech tablet called Lilypad, forcing the toys to confront a world in which traditional playthings are competing with screens and digital entertainment.
That technology-focused premise gives the sequel a contemporary hook while preserving the emotional foundation that made the earlier films successful.
This Looks Bigger Than a Normal Pixar Opening
Preview earnings are not a guarantee of a film’s final performance, but they are one of the clearest early indicators of demand. The $17.5 million figure shows that audiences turned up immediately, with Toy Story 5 attracting families, longtime fans, and moviegoers looking for a major summer release.
The number also places the film just behind The Incredibles 2 on the all-time animated preview chart. That is a significant comparison, considering The Incredibles 2 went on to open with $182.7 million domestically.
Still, the preview figure should not be treated as proof that Toy Story 5 will automatically reach that level. Family films can have strong legs, but their opening weekend can also be affected by holiday timing, competing releases, and how much of the audience turns out during the remaining days.
Can It Reach $1 Billion?
It is too early to make a serious worldwide forecast. The opening weekend will establish the film’s domestic ceiling, but its long-term performance will depend on repeat viewings, international reception, and whether it continues attracting families throughout the summer.
The early signs are undeniably strong. Toy Story 5 has already posted the franchise’s best preview result, is tracking toward a domestic debut between $150 million and $175 million, and has a recognizable brand that continues to appeal across generations.
For now, Pixar has delivered the kind of opening-night result Disney was hoping for. The next step is seeing whether Toy Story 5 can turn that impressive preview number into the biggest opening weekend in the history of the franchise.
Source clarification: The $17.5 million preview figure comes from TheWrap, while the $150 million–$175 million domestic projection was reported by The Los Angeles Times and separately attributed to Boxoffice Pro by WDW News Today.
Sujal Singh is the Founder and Editor of CineMazze. He covers film news and updates, including casting, production and release announcements, and manages the website. Follow him on Instagram: @itssujalsingh.
