Woody, Buzz, and the gang are proving there's still plenty of life left in the toy box.
Disney and Pixar's "Toy Story 5" has officially crossed the coveted $1 billion mark at the global box office, making it not only the studio's biggest hit in years but also the highest-grossing movie of 2026. After weeks of dominating cinemas worldwide, the beloved franchise has once again reminded Hollywood that nostalgia-when done right-can still be worth a fortune.
The animated blockbuster has earned $448 million in North America and another $573 million internationally, bringing its worldwide total to an impressive $1.022 billion. That milestone places it ahead of this year's other billion-dollar juggernauts, including "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" and "Michael," both of which narrowly crossed the billion-dollar threshold.
And the story isn't over yet.
Industry insiders expect "Toy Story 5" to continue climbing the charts over the coming weeks, with the film poised to overtake 2019's "Toy Story 4" ($1.07 billion) and become the highest-grossing entry in Pixar's most treasured franchise. If momentum continues, Woody and Buzz could soon be celebrating yet another record-breaking adventure.
Directed by Pixar veteran Andrew Stanton, the fifth instalment introduces a surprisingly timely conflict as Bonnie becomes obsessed with a children's smart tablet called Lilypad, forcing the toys to confront a world where digital screens have replaced imaginative play. The modern premise appears to have struck a chord with audiences of all ages, blending heartfelt nostalgia with contemporary family life.
Returning fan favourites Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and Joan Cusack reprise their iconic roles as Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and Jessie, delivering another emotional reunion that has delighted longtime fans. Strong reviews, enthusiastic word-of-mouth, and decades of goodwill toward the franchise helped fuel one of the year's biggest openings, with the film debuting to an enormous $160 million-the strongest launch of the entire series.
Adding even more star power, Taylor Swift contributed an original song, "I Knew It, I Knew You," to the soundtrack, giving the film another pop-culture boost during a summer already buzzing with headlines surrounding her wedding to NFL superstar Travis Kelce.
The success arrives at a bittersweet moment for Pixar. Despite the studio celebrating another billion-dollar phenomenon, Disney recently announced layoffs affecting Pixar Animation Studios. The contrasting fortunes highlight a growing reality in Hollywood: established franchises continue to thrive, while original animated films face a much tougher climb.
Earlier this year, Pixar's original feature "Hoppers" enjoyed a promising opening but failed to maintain the momentum needed to reach the heights of the "Toy Story" phenomenon. The disparity reinforces the industry's increasing reliance on beloved franchises that audiences already know and love.
Meanwhile, 2026 is shaping up to be one of the strongest years for theatrical blockbusters since before the pandemic. With Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" racing toward the billion-dollar club and "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" about to swing into cinemas, the battle for box office supremacy is far from over.
For now, however, one thing is certain: Woody, Buzz, and their toy friends are still the kings of the toy chest-and now, the kings of the global box office as well.
