Pixar's "Toy Story 5" will officially launch on Disney Plus on September 23, the studio has confirmed. The animated film, which achieved significant box office success, had previously become available for digital rental and purchase on August 18.
This approximately three-month window between a theatrical debut and its arrival on the Disney Plus streaming service appears to be the new standard for Disney releases. The recent "Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu" film followed a similar pattern, hitting theaters on May 22 before its Disney Plus debut on September 2.
"Toy Story 5" opened in theaters on June 19 and has since grossed over $1.1 billion worldwide against a $250 million budget. This makes it the highest-grossing film in the "Toy Story" franchise and the third-highest-grossing film of the year. Despite initial skepticism about a new installment after "Toy Story 4" seemingly concluded many story arcs, the latest film garnered strong reviews, achieving a 93% critics' score and a 94% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics lauded its animation, performances, and humor, reinforcing the series' enduring appeal.
Coinciding with the film's financial success, Disney implemented layoffs at Pixar shortly after its release. Between 100 and 150 employees, out of approximately 1,100 staff members, were dismissed on July 21. This event marked the largest round of layoffs since May 2024, when the company reduced its workforce by about 14%, or 175 individuals. According to a report from The Wrap, these reductions were attributed to the "underperformance" of Pixar's "Hoppers," despite that film potentially breaking even with a gross of $389.7 million on a $150 million budget.
Pixar's upcoming projects include "Gatto," slated for release on March 5, 2027, which stars Mark Ruffalo as a stray cat in Venice, Italy. Further ahead, "Incredibles 3" is scheduled for 2028, and "Coco 2" is anticipated in 2029.