Disney and Pixar are proving once again that audiences still have plenty of love for Woody, Buzz, and the rest of the gang.
Toy Story 5 has officially delivered the biggest preview performance of 2026, earning an impressive $17.5 million during Thursday night screenings. The figure not only marks the best preview opening of the year so far, but also the strongest preview performance in the history of the Toy Story franchise.
The massive debut immediately put the film on track for a huge opening weekend and reinforced the enduring popularity of Pixar’s flagship franchise. Early projections had already suggested that Toy Story 5 could challenge franchise records, but these preview numbers surpassed many expectations.
Directed by Andrew Stanton and co-written with Kenna Harris, the latest installment reunites beloved characters Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and Jessie as they confront a modern challenge: technology competing with traditional play. The film introduces a new antagonist, a tablet-like device named Lilypad, reflecting Pixar’s exploration of children’s growing attachment to screens and digital entertainment.
Toy Story 5 [credit: Pixar]
Returning voice stars include Tom Hanks as Woody, Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear, and Joan Cusack as Jessie, alongside newcomers Greta Lee and Conan O’Brien.
The strong Thursday preview was just the beginning. The film has since gone on to post the biggest opening weekend of 2026, earning an estimated $160 million domestically and approximately $312 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing opening in the history of the franchise.
For a series that began more than three decades ago, Toy Story continues to prove that some stories never lose their magic. Whether audiences grew up with Woody and Buzz or are discovering them for the first time, Toy Story 5 is reminding Hollywood that Pixar’s most iconic franchise is far from finished.
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