Kids these days might prefer tech to toys, but Woody, Buzz Lightyear and Jessie still got it.
“Toy Story 5” ruled over the box office with $160 million from 4,425 North America theaters, landing on the higher end of expectations while securing the biggest domestic debut of the year over Universal’s “Super Mario Galaxy Movie” ($131.7 million). The animated sequel also ranks as the largest start in Disney and Pixar’s beloved “Toy Story” franchise, supplanting the record set by 2019’s “Toy Story 4” with $120 million. And it scored the second-largest animated opening weekend in history, behind only 2018’s “Incredibles 2” with $182.7 million.
Overseas, “Toy Story” opened to $152 million for a sensational global tally of $312 million. It carries a $250 million budget, not including the global marketing expenses.
“Toy Story 5” should remain the de facto choice among families, considering the sterling reviews (94% on Rotten Tomatoes) and audience scores (“A” grade on CinemaScore exit polls). Directed by Pixar veteran Andrew Stanton, the fifth installment follows Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), Jessie (Joan Cusack) and the gang of anthropomorphic toys as their owner Bonnie becomes addicted to her new favorite gadget, a kiddie smart tablet known as Lilypad. If that crew wasn’t enough pedigree, Taylor Swift wrote a new song, “I Knew It, I Knew You,” for the soundtrack.
