The iconic toys from Disney and Pixar’s beloved franchise have returned to the big screen, and audiences are flocking to theaters worldwide to welcome them back. “Toy Story 5” has made a spectacular entrance, capturing the hearts of fans and dominating the box office.
Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 5”, co-directed by Andrew Stanton and Kenna Harris, has achieved a remarkable $160 million in domestic earnings and an additional $152 million internationally. This cinematic release has not only outperformed Universal Pictures’ “Super Mario Galaxy Movie,” which debuted with $131 million in April, but it also surpasses the $120 million that “Toy Story 4” earned in its opening weekend in 2019.
Globally, “Toy Story 5” has accumulated an impressive $312 million, marking the second-highest opening weekend for an animated film, trailing only behind “Incredibles 2.” For over three decades, “Toy Story” has been a cherished franchise for Disney and Pixar fans, generating over $1.3 billion in box office revenue, alongside income from video games, merchandise, books, apparel, and immersive experiences.
Long-time fans of the series will find “Toy Story 5” a nostalgic reunion, as many original cast members have returned. Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and Joan Cusack reprise their roles as Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and Jessie, respectively, joined by John Ratzenberger, Wallace Shawn, and Annie Potts.
This time, the toys face an unprecedented adversary: technology. According to the film’s synopsis, “Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie and the rest of the gang’s jobs are challenged when they come face-to-face with Lilypad, a brand-new tablet device that arrives with her own disruptive ideas about what is best for their kid, Bonnie. Will playtime ever be the same?” Greta Lee lends her voice to Lilypad, while new characters are brought to life by Keanu Reeves, Bad Bunny, and Conan O’Brien.
The decision to center “Toy Story 5” around technology may resonate with parents navigating the digital age. The prevalence of screen time is a pressing topic as tablets and similar devices become more integrated into children’s lives. According to a 2024 Common Sense Media survey, four out of ten children own a tablet by age two, a figure that rises to over half by age four. The report highlights that “Tablets have the highest proportion of ownership among children compared to any other mobile device.”
Concerns among parents about the impact of screen time on children’s development are widespread. “Among parents, 75% to 80% express consistent concerns about screen media, including worries about excessive use, effects on mental health, and the amount of inappropriate content,” the report states.
Some parents, like Business Insider’s Conz Preti, are actively working to limit their children’s screen time. After watching “Toy Story 5,” she wrote, “I want my kids playing with each other and leaning into imagination, creating worlds together, instead of being zombiefied in front of an app.” (source).
