Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5 is tracking for a potential franchise-record preview night, with box office analysts projecting between $13 million and $14 million in opening night ticket sales. According to industry sources, surpassing the $12 million mark would set a new high for the long-running series, eclipsing the previous benchmark established by Toy Story 4 in 2019.
Why Toy Story 5 Is Poised to Break Franchise Records
The early performance of Toy Story 5 points to significant domestic momentum. Box office reporting indicates the film secured $25 million in advance ticket sales, outpacing the start of the Super Mario Galaxy Movie. According to industry data, the film is expected to reach a $140 million domestic opening across 4,425 locations, bolstered by strong interest in Premium Large Format (PLF) and Imax screenings. Critical reception remains a major tailwind, with the Andrew Stanton-directed sequel currently holding a 94% “certified fresh” rating on review aggregators.
The highest preview night for any Pixar film in the U.S. and Canada remains 2018’s Incredibles 2, which pulled in $18.5 million before going on to secure a $182.6 million opening weekend.
How Does This Compare to Recent Major Releases?
If the projected $13 million to $14 million preview figure holds, Toy Story 5 would represent the highest preview night for any film released in 2026. Data from industry tracking shows this performance would outperform several other high-profile releases, including Lionsgate’s Michael ($12.6 million), Amazon MGM Studios’ Project Hail Mary ($12 million), and Disney/Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: Mandalorian and Grogu ($12 million). While Universal’s Super Mario Galaxy Movie currently holds the year-to-date record for a three-day opening at $131.7 million, it notably did not hold traditional preview screenings.
What Is the Global Outlook for the Franchise?
Beyond the domestic market, the film is tracking for a $275 million global opening. According to box office projections, approximately $135 million of that total is expected to come from international markets, which account for an 87% footprint, including significant interest from China. This global strategy relies heavily on the established brand equity of the Toy Story intellectual property, which has evolved significantly since 2010’s Toy Story 3, which recorded $4 million in previews during an era when showtimes were limited to midnight launches.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the projected preview night revenue for Toy Story 5? Analysts project between $13 million and $14 million, which would set a new record for the Toy Story franchise.
- How does this compare to previous Pixar records? The all-time Pixar record for previews belongs to Incredibles 2, which earned $18.5 million in 2018.
- What is the expected domestic opening weekend total? Industry sources estimate an opening of at least $140 million across 4,425 domestic theaters.
- Are there audience scores available yet? No, as of the latest reporting, there is no official audience score, though the film holds a 94% critical approval rating.
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