After years of uneven theatrical returns, Pixar may finally have its next major box-office success. Toy Story 5, the latest chapter in Disney and Pixar’s long-running animated franchise, has delivered the strongest opening weekend in the series’ history, collecting over $300 million worldwide within days of release.

The film, which hit theatres on June 19, reportedly earned more than $160 million in North America and crossed $150 million in international territories, making it one of the biggest global openings of the year so far.

The new instalment reunites fan-favourite characters Woody, Buzz Lightyear and Jessie but places them in unfamiliar territory — facing competition from a very modern presence in children’s lives: a tablet device.

The opening marks a significant theatrical win for Disney and Pixar at a time when major studios continue to navigate changing audience behaviour and the long-term effects of the streaming era. Only The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which has already crossed the $1 billion mark globally, is estimated to have opened bigger this year.

With reports placing Toy Story 5’s production cost at around $250 million, the film is expected to require substantially higher earnings once marketing and distribution expenses are factored in. However, Pixar’s theatrical history suggests that such targets may not be out of reach.

Over the years, several Pixar titles — particularly franchise continuations — have comfortably multiplied their budgets at the global box office. Films including The Incredibles 2 and Inside Out 2 went on to cross the billion-dollar milestone.

That recent success, however, has not been consistent. Some of Pixar’s more recent releases, including Elio and Lightyear, struggled commercially despite arriving with strong studio backing. Elsewhere within Disney’s portfolio, The Mandalorian and Grogu is also yet to recover its reported production costs.

Across Hollywood, theatrical business has remained under pressure since the pandemic, with studios continuing to compete against evolving viewing habits and the rapid growth of streaming platforms. Against that backdrop, Toy Story remains one of animation’s most dependable brands.

Since the original film debuted in 1995, the franchise has generated more than $3 billion worldwide and continues to hold a unique place in animation history. The first film not only introduced audiences to a world where toys come alive when humans leave the room but also helped redefine computer-generated animation for mainstream cinema.

Its third and fourth entries both crossed the billion-dollar mark, and if the current momentum holds, Toy Story 5 may be positioning itself to join that club.