'Toy Story 5' shatters box office records as Pixar tackles the iPad era

The toys are back in town, and they are bringing record-breaking crowds with them. Disney and Pixar’s "Toy Story 5" has officially hit theaters, delivering a massive jolt to the summer box office and proving that the 30-year-old franchise still holds unparalleled sway over audiences. Opening on June 19, 2026, the film immediately shattered expectations, drawing both nostalgic millennials and a new generation of children to multiplexes across the globe.[1][2]

The financial metrics are staggering. The film logged a spectacular $17.5 million in Thursday previews alone, marking the highest preview performance of 2026 and the second-best ever for an animated feature, trailing only 2018’s "Incredibles 2." Industry analysts are now projecting a domestic opening weekend between $160 million and $175 million, with some tracking suggesting it will easily clear the $164 million mark. If those numbers hold, it will comfortably surpass "Toy Story 4" to become the biggest debut in the franchise's history.[1][5][6]

The commercial triumph is matched by glowing critical reception. "Toy Story 5" boasts a stellar 94% approval rating from both critics and audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, alongside a coveted "A" CinemaScore. Reviewers have praised director Andrew Stanton—a Pixar veteran who co-wrote the screenplay with Kenna Harris—for finding a fresh, emotionally resonant angle in a series that many assumed had reached its natural conclusion.[1][2][3][7]

This time around, the existential threat facing Woody, Buzz, and the gang isn't a yard sale, a daycare center, or a dusty antique shop. It is the glowing, hypnotic allure of modern technology. Set two years after the events of the fourth film, the narrative centers on Bonnie, the young girl who inherited Andy's beloved toys. As Bonnie struggles to socialize with her peers, her parents introduce her to a new tablet device named Lilypad, voiced with disruptive charm by Greta Lee.[3][6][7]

The arrival of Lilypad instantly upends the playroom hierarchy. Bonnie quickly falls into the addictive screen-time habits familiar to millions of modern parents, neglecting her physical toys and forgetting the imaginative joy of traditional play. The premise sets up a classic "toys versus tech" showdown, but critics note that Pixar wisely avoids taking a heavy-handed, moralizing approach to the subject.[3][4]

Rather than painting the tablet as an all-powerful evil or shaming Bonnie's parents for purchasing it, the film offers a nuanced exploration of how technology has become an unavoidable intrusion into childhood. The narrative acknowledges the genuine utility of digital connection while mourning the loss of tactile imagination, striking a delicate balance that resonates deeply with adult viewers navigating the same digital dilemmas in their own homes.[3]

In a significant shift for the franchise, the emotional weight of the film is carried not by Tom Hanks' Woody or Tim Allen's Buzz Lightyear, but by Joan Cusack's Jessie. Stepping into the leadership role, the yodeling cowgirl leads the charge to help Bonnie find a balance between her new digital obsession and the physical world. Reviewers have highlighted Cusack's vocal performance as a standout, anchoring the film's poignant exploration of obsolescence and belonging.[3][4]

That isn't to say the classic duo is sidelined. Woody, now living as a "lost toy" with Bo Peep, is eventually drawn back into the fold, while Buzz Lightyear anchors one of the film's most entertaining subplots. In a sequence that has drawn widespread praise, a shipping container of upgraded Buzz Lightyear action figures crashes on a deserted island, forcing the deluded space rangers to coordinate a survivalist escape.[3][4]

The film also introduces a vibrant cast of new characters that inject fresh comedic energy into the playroom. Among the standouts is Smarty Pants, a potty-training tech toy voiced by Conan O'Brien. O'Brien's manic, slightly scatological performance provides some of the film's biggest laughs, while also serving as a clever commentary on the fleeting lifespan of specialized children's gadgets. Other newcomers include Atlas, a toy GPS voiced by Craig Robinson, and Snappy, a digital camera voiced by Shelby Rabara.[3][4][6]

Behind the scenes, "Toy Story 5" represents a massive investment for Walt Disney Studios, carrying a reported production budget of $250 million—making it one of the most expensive animated films ever produced. The staggering cost is visible in the film's breathtaking animation, which pushes the boundaries of digital rendering. Pixar developed entirely new rigging systems for the film, particularly to accurately animate the tight, complex curls of a new character named Blaze, a technical breakthrough that the studio plans to utilize in future projects.[7]

The film's soundtrack also bridges the gap between the franchise's storied past and its modern evolution. Legendary composer Randy Newman returns to provide the score, marking his tenth collaboration with Pixar and his fifth "Toy Story" feature. However, the musical centerpiece of the film belongs to global pop superstar Taylor Swift.[7]

Swift, a self-professed lifelong fan of the series, contributed an original song titled "I Knew It, I Knew You." Written and produced alongside Jack Antonoff, the bittersweet track plays over the film's end credits and has already become a massive commercial hit. Released in early June, the single quickly climbed to number one on the Billboard Global 200, marking the first time a Disney and Pixar film has topped that specific chart.[6][7]

As "Toy Story 5" settles into its theatrical run, its success provides a much-needed victory lap for Pixar Animation Studios. Following a string of modest original releases and the disappointing box office performance of the 2022 spin-off "Lightyear," the studio has proven that its flagship property remains an unstoppable cultural juggernaut.[5]

By tackling the ubiquitous reality of "iPad kids" with empathy, humor, and breathtaking artistry, Pixar has crafted a sequel that justifies its existence. It is a testament to the enduring power of these characters that, even in an era dominated by screens and algorithms, audiences are still lining up by the millions to spend a few more hours playing with their favorite toys.[2][3]