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The fourth entry in Pixar's animated series
collected $118 million in ticket sales when it debuted in 4,575
North American theaters. While that haul is significantly below
expectations, which anticipated a start near $140 million, it's
hardly a disappointment for the critically acclaimed movie.
Despite glowing reviews, box office prognosticators suggest that
"Toy Story 4" underperformed because audiences were wary about
the need for another chapter after "Toy Story 3" wrapped up the
series so perfectly. The domestic debut is only a slight jump on
that entry, which bowed nearly a decade ago with $110 million.
However, strong word of mouth will likely keep "Toy Story 4" in
theaters long throughout the summer.
"Toy Story 4's" bow ranks as the fourth-biggest launch for an
animated movie behind "Incredibles 2" ($182 million), "Finding
Dory" ($135 million), and "Shrek the Third" ($121 million). It's
also only the third movie this year to cross $100 million in
receipts during its opening weekend. The other two -- "Captain
Marvel" and "Avengers: Endgame" -- were both Disney releases as
well.
Overseas, "Toy Story 4" picked up $120 million from 37
international territories for a global start of $238 million.
Directed by Josh Cooley, "Toy Story 4" reunites Woody (voiced by
Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) and Bo Peep (Annie Potts)
with a band of plastic heroes. New to the gang is Forky, an
anxiety-ridden spork voiced by Tony Hale, who helps teach them
what it means to be a toy. The story was written by Rashida
Jones, Will McCormack, Valerie LaPointe, Martin Hynes, and
now-ousted Pixar chief John Lasseter.
In a very distant second place, United Artists' "Child's Play"
earned $14 million when it opened in 3,007 venues. That
represents a solid start for the modestly budgeted horror film,
which is a remake of the 1988 thriller about an evil Chucky
doll. Aubrey Plaza stars in "Child's Play," which Mark Hamill
voices the creepy voodoo doll. It cost $10 million to produce.
This weekend's other new release didn't fare as well. Liongate's
"Anna" launched with a dismal $3.5 million from 2,114 screens.
Males accounted for 61% of ticket buyers, with 88% of that group
over the age of 25. Sasha Luss, Luke Evans and Helen Mirren
star.
Falling not far behind "Child's Play" on box office charts is
another reboot, Disney's "Aladdin." The live-action musical
pocketed $12 million in its fifth weekend of release, boosting
its domestic total to $288 million.
In fourth place, Sony's "Men in Black: International" made $10
million during its second weekend in theaters, marking a steep
65% decline from its inaugural run. The fourth "MIB" film,
starring Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson, has generated $52
million to date.
Rounding out the top five is Universal and Illumination's "The
Secret Life of Pets 2," which added $10.2 million to its North
American tally. The animated sequel has grossed $117 million
since debuting three weeks ago.
Overall, ticket sales continue to pace well behind last year's
strong summer season. As big-budget sequels like "Dark Phoenix,"
"Men in Black: International" and "Godzilla: King of the
Monsters" bring back disappointing receipts, the box office has
dropped 6% below 2018's record, according to Comscore.
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