Toy Story 5 Set to Premiere on Disney Plus Following Box Office Success

After a stellar performance at the box office, Pixar’s newest animated feature is making its way to Disney Plus. Toy Story 5 premiered in theaters on June 19, defying any concerns about sequel fatigue by raking in over a billion dollars globally. To date, it has amassed $1.1 billion against a $250 million budget, making it the highest-grossing film in the franchise and the third-highest-grossing film of the year, trailing only Spider-Man: Brand New Day and The Odyssey.

Despite initial doubts regarding another Toy Story installment—especially after Toy Story 4 seemed to tie up many storylines—the latest film has once again captivated both critics and audiences alike. It boasts a 93% critics’ score and a 94% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviews highlighting its stunning animation, strong performances, and humor. While Pixar’s recent releases have had their ups and downs, the studio continues to deliver top-notch content for the series that launched its legacy.

Toy Story 5 will be available on Disney Plus starting September 23. The film has been accessible for digital rental or purchase on platforms like Prime Video and Apple TV since August 18. This roughly three-month window between its theatrical release and arrival on Disney Plus appears to be the new norm for Disney, following a similar pattern with this year’s Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, which hit the platform after a comparable delay (the movie debuted in theaters on May 22 and is set to arrive on Disney Plus on September 2).

The most disheartening news surrounding Toy Story 5 is that, despite its billion-dollar success, Disney laid off employees at Pixar shortly after the film’s release. Between 100 and 150 members of its 1,100-person workforce were let go on July 21, marking the largest layoffs since May 2024, when about 14% of the staff, or 175 people, were affected.

According to a report, the layoffs were attributed to the “underperformance” of Pixar’s Hoppers, even though the film potentially broke even by earning $389.7 million on a $150 million budget. The general rule of thumb is that a film needs to earn more than double its production budget to truly break even, though specifics can vary.

Pixar’s next project is Gatto, featuring Mark Ruffalo as a stray cat navigating life in Venice, Italy, set to release on March 5, 2027. Other upcoming titles from the studio include Incredibles 3 in 2028 and Coco 2 in 2029.

Pixar’s latest isn’t condemning technology; it’s encouraging parents to step up their game.