'Toy Story 5' opens to $312 million globally while tackling screen time

Toy Story 5 has become the biggest box office launch of 2026, earning an estimated $312 million worldwide during its opening weekend while bringing a modern parenting concern to the centre of the beloved franchise.

Business Insider reported the latest Pixar sequel debuted with an estimated $160 million in North America and a further $152 million internationally after opening in cinemas on June 19.

The strong performance surpassed the $131 million domestic debut of Super Mario Galaxy Movie earlier this year and overtook the previous franchise record set by Toy Story 4, which opened to $120 million in 2019.

Disney said the film delivered the second-biggest opening weekend ever for an animated feature, trailing only Incredibles 2.

Directed by Andrew Stanton and Kenna Harris, the film reunites many of the franchise’s original stars, including Tom Hanks as Woody, Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear and Joan Cusack as Jessie. Returning cast members also include Annie Potts, Wallace Shawn and John Ratzenberger.

While previous instalments saw the toys battle rival playthings, difficult owners and personal conflicts, Toy Story 5 introduces a new antagonist: technology.

The film centres on Lilypad, a tablet device voiced by Greta Lee, whose arrival threatens the toys’ role in Bonnie’s life.

According to the official synopsis, Woody, Buzz, Jessie and the rest of the gang find themselves competing with a screen that believes it knows what is best for their child owner, raising questions about whether traditional play can survive in an increasingly digital world.

The theme reflects concerns shared by many parents navigating children's use of technology.

A 2024 survey from Common Sense Media found that four in 10 children own a tablet by age two, while more than half have one by age four. The organisation also reported that tablets are the most commonly owned mobile devices among young children.

The same survey found that between 75% and 80% of parents expressed concerns about screen use, including excessive consumption, mental health effects and exposure to inappropriate content.

Pixar’s decision to build the story around screen time appears aimed at connecting with families facing those challenges, while preserving the humour and heart that have defined the franchise for more than three decades.

Since the original Toy Story premiered in 1995, the series has generated more than $1.3 billion at the global box office and become one of Disney and Pixar’s most valuable properties through merchandise, books, video games and theme park attractions.

With record-breaking ticket sales and a story focused on one of modern parenting’s biggest debates, Toy Story 5 has quickly established itself as one of the year's biggest film events.