Toy Story 5 Eyes $150 Million-$175 Million Opening, Challenging Pixar's $182.6 Million Record

Q: Will the film's tablet antagonist truly be a villain, or will toys and technology unite against a new threat?

The tablet character is unlikely to be a true villain. Based on Pixar’s own description, Lilypad functions more as the story’s antagonist from the toys’ point of view, not as a malicious enemy in a simple good-versus-evil plot. Director Andrew Stanton has said Pixar did not want to make technology itself “the villain.” He described Lilypad as “the next phase in Bonnie’s life” and compared the device to a “helicopter parent” and personal assistant. That suggests the conflict is really about competing ideas of what helps Bonnie grow: traditional imaginative play versus screen-based guidance and convenience. The teaser supports that reading. Jessie and Bullseye watch children absorbed in tablets, and the toys react as if their world is under threat. But the broader cast of new characters complicates any anti-tech message. Older devices such as Smarty Pants, Atlas and Snappy appear to be allies or at least sympathetic figures, showing the film is distinguishing between technology as a tool and technology as a disruptive force in children’s attention. There is also no strong evidence yet that toys and devices will unite against some separate, hidden threat. The available plot details point instead to the central tension being Bonnie’s changing childhood and the toys’ struggle to stay relevant. If there is eventual cooperation, it would likely grow out of that shared goal—helping Bonnie—rather than a twist revealing a bigger villain.

Q: With Woody appearing old and retired, is this the final chapter for Pixar's most iconic cowboy?

No. Everything Pixar has said points to *Toy Story 5* being a handoff for Woody, not a farewell. The film does appear to age and soften Woody. Reports describe him as looking older and more “retired,” and director Andrew Stanton has said the team felt they had “gone to the well of Woody so much” that he deserved a break after his long arc. In practical terms, that means Woody is no longer the franchise’s main driver. Jessie is being elevated into the lead role, with Stanton saying he wanted to “pass the badge” to her. But that is different from ending Woody’s story. Tom Hanks is back voicing Woody, and plot details make clear he still reunites with Buzz and the gang when Jessie calls for help. Stanton and producer Lindsey Collins have also said they have no current plans to retire Woody, Buzz and Jessie, and Collins has stressed that Pixar still sees more stories to tell with these characters. Stanton has even suggested the team generated enough ideas for additional films beyond *Toy Story 5*, though Pixar is not formally committing to specific sequels yet. That leaves Woody’s future open, but not closed. So the best reading is that *Toy Story 5* marks the end of Woody as the central lead, not necessarily his final chapter. Pixar is repositioning its iconic cowboy into a lighter, supporting role while shifting the franchise’s emotional center toward Jessie.

3 articles · Updated · WDW News Today · Jun 10

Boxoffice Pro projects Toy Story 5 will open to $150 million-$175 million in the U.S. when it debuts June 19, putting it on pace for one of Pixar’s biggest domestic starts.
That range would top Toy Story 4’s $120.9 million launch and exceed Inside Out 2’s $154.2 million opening at the high end, leaving only Incredibles 2’s $182.6 million Pixar record still ahead.
The franchise’s earlier openings were markedly smaller: Toy Story 3 debuted at $110.3 million, Toy Story 2 at $80.8 million, the original Toy Story at $29.1 million, and spinoff Lightyear at $50.5 million.
Disney is also building momentum with a new teaser featuring Buzz, Woody and Jessie, plus a 50-toy 'Multi-Buzz' group and new characters including Smarty Pants, Atlas and Snappy.

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WDW News Today1d ago

'Toy Story 5' Projected for $150M-$175M Opening Weekend by Boxoffice Pro

Reddit1d ago

TheFlatLannister on BOT: Toy Story 5 pace is excellent. Pacing better than Mario 2. I am thinking $20M+ previews should happen, Friday is also well ahead of where Mario 2 was, 88%

Facebook1d ago

Toy Story 5 is currently tracking for a massive $150M–$170M domestic opening weekend. The film is also eyeing a worldwide debut between $350M and $400M. #ToyStory5 #Pixar #BoxOffice

Beyond box office records, is Pixar using 50 new Buzz Lightyears to launch a new streaming universe?

Will the film's tablet antagonist truly be a villain, or will toys and technology unite against a new threat?

With Woody appearing old and retired, is this the final chapter for Pixar's most iconic cowboy?

Toy Story 5 Eyes $150 Million-$175 Million Opening, Challenging Pixar's $182.6 Million Record

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