Toy Story 5 sets the biggest preview opening of 2026 with $17.5M

Toy Story 5 has recorded the strongest domestic preview opening of 2026, earning $17.5 million before its full release — the biggest preview figure of the year, according to Variety. Analysts now project a $150 million domestic opening weekend, which would beat Toy Story 4's $130 million debut by a clear margin. Whether you think a fifth film was necessary or not, the numbers don't care about your feelings.

What the $17.5M preview figure actually means

According to Variety, Toy Story 5 earned $17.5 million in domestic previews — beating the $12.6 million set by the Michael biopic to claim the year's biggest preview performance. That's a meaningful gap. Preview numbers reflect genuine audience enthusiasm, not just passive interest, since people actively buy tickets in advance for specific early screenings.

The projection from there is $150 million domestically over opening weekend. For context, Toy Story 4 opened to $130 million in 2019. If the projection holds, that's a 15% improvement on a film that had the benefit of being the franchise's emotional farewell — or so everyone thought at the time.

Positive reviews have reportedly helped drive ticket sales. That matters, because a family film with good word of mouth holds well across multiple weekends, which is where the real money accumulates.

Can it beat the Super Mario Galaxy Movie?

Toy Story 4 eventually crossed $1 billion worldwide in 2019. Only one film has matched that in 2026: Nintendo and Illumination's Super Mario Galaxy Movie. With a projected $285 million combined global opening (domestic $150M plus international $135M), Toy Story 5 is starting fast enough to challenge that total over its full run.

It won't be quick. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has had months to build its total. But Pixar's track record with long-running franchise entries — and the goodwill Woody and Buzz still carry with audiences — means the race is genuine.

Our take is that the real test isn't the opening weekend. It's whether Toy Story 5 has a story that earns repeat viewings and strong word of mouth, the way the best Pixar films always have. The reviews suggest it might. We'll form a fuller view once we've seen it.

Does Toy Story 5 need to exist?

This is the honest question that box office figures can't answer. Toy Story 4 ended in a way that felt conclusive — Woody made a choice, the gang moved on, and audiences got closure. There's plenty of excitement about returning to these characters, and Pixar has the track record to earn the benefit of the doubt.

But the creative stakes are real. The challenge for Pixar isn't selling tickets — clearly, it never was. It's proving that this fifth instalment has something meaningful to say rather than leaning entirely on nostalgia for characters people already love. Strong reviews are a good early sign. Strong opening weekends, less so — those reflect brand recognition more than story quality.

We covered the lead-up closely, from Taylor Swift's mysterious countdown that sparked franchise theories, to Tom Hanks revealing a genuinely affecting screen time scene at the UK launch. The appetite for this film has been real. Whether the film itself justifies that appetite is the conversation worth having after this weekend.

It's also worth noting that Disney has had its own complicated relationship with Pixar projects recently. The cancellation of Be Fri after three years showed that not every Pixar project gets to the finish line. Toy Story 5 did — and now it's performing.

When can UAE audiences watch Toy Story 5?

No official UAE release date has been announced, though major Pixar releases typically open in UAE cinemas on the same day as the global rollout — or within a day or two. Local cinema chains including Vox Cinemas, Reel Cinemas, and Roxy Cinemas are expected to carry the film, with booking details likely to go live soon if they haven't already.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much did Toy Story 5 make in previews?

Toy Story 5 earned $17.5 million in domestic previews, according to Variety — the highest preview figure of 2026 so far. It beat the previous record set by the Michael biopic, which earned $12.6 million in previews.

What is Toy Story 5 projected to make on opening weekend?

Industry analysts project Toy Story 5 will earn at least $150 million domestically over its opening weekend, plus a further $135 million from international markets. That domestic figure would beat Toy Story 4's $130 million opening weekend in 2019.

Will Toy Story 5 beat the Super Mario Galaxy Movie?

It's possible. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is the only 2026 film to cross $1 billion so far — the same total Toy Story 4 eventually reached. With a strong opening and positive reviews, Toy Story 5 has a realistic shot at challenging that figure over its full run.

When is Toy Story 5 released in UAE cinemas?

An official UAE release date hasn't been confirmed, but major Pixar films typically open in UAE cinemas simultaneously with the global release. Vox Cinemas, Reel Cinemas, and Roxy Cinemas are all expected to carry the film — check their sites for booking details.

Is Toy Story 5 worth watching?

Early reviews are mostly positive, which is an encouraging sign. The real question isn't whether it'll make money — the box office figures answer that — but whether Pixar has a story worth telling after Toy Story 4's satisfying conclusion. Reviews suggest it might.

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