The toys are officially back, and they are gearing up to completely dominate the global box office. As the legacy cast of Toy Story 5 recently reunited for a massive, star-studded U.K. launch event in London, the highly anticipated Pixar sequel is already making headlines before it even hits theaters.
Between unprecedented financial projections and deeply emotional new story details straight from Woody himself, it is becoming abundantly clear that this fifth installment is going to be a monumental cinematic event. Here is a breakdown of the record-breaking box office numbers and the devastating new scene that Tom Hanks just teased.
A Franchise-Best Box Office Projection
When Disney originally announced a fifth Toy Story film, many fans were skeptical about whether audiences would return for another chapter. It turns out, that skepticism was entirely unfounded.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, current tracking projects that Toy Story 5 is on pace to earn a massive $150 million at the domestic box office during its opening weekend. If these numbers hold, it will secure the biggest opening weekend in the entire 31-year history of the franchise, easily surpassing the impressive debuts of both Toy Story 3 ($110 million) and Toy Story 4 ($120 million).
Driven by exceptional pre-sales, heavy nostalgia, and a highly intriguing “Toys vs. Screens” premise, the film is perfectly positioned to become one of the biggest, billion-dollar blockbusters of 2026.
Tom Hanks Teases a “Heartbreaking” Scene
While the Toy Story franchise is famous for making grown adults cry—from Jessie’s tragic backstory to the terrifying incinerator scene in the third film—Tom Hanks recently revealed that the fifth movie might contain the most emotionally devastating moment yet.
Speaking at the U.K. launch event, Hanks opened up about how the new film tackles the harsh, modern realities of kids growing up with technology and social media. He pointed out one specific, highly emotional moment involving their kid, Bonnie, that completely wrecked him.
According to Hanks, the movie features “one of the most heartbreaking scenes I’ve seen.”
Detailing the scene, he explained the agonizing helplessness the toys feel as they watch Bonnie navigate digital bullying: “When that little girl is getting her feelings hurt by what other people are texting about her, and she doesn’t understand why.”
Growing Up in the Digital Age
Hanks’s comments perfectly highlight exactly why Pixar decided to greenlight a fifth film. By shifting the narrative conflict away from getting lost at a yard sale or being donated to a daycare, the writers are tackling the genuine, real-world anxieties that modern kids and parents face today.
For decades, Woody, Buzz, and the gang have always been able to physically protect their kid from tangible threats. However, watching them realize they cannot protect Bonnie from the psychological damage of a glowing screen adds an entirely new, deeply mature layer of emotional weight to the franchise.Get your tissues ready. Toy Story 5 arrives in theaters on June 19, and it looks like it is going to be an absolute tearjerker
