Toy Story 3 earned an incredible $109 million in US ticket sales over the weekend to make it the highest opening ever for a Pixar film. It also earned the second highest opening for an animated film of all time. I saw Toy Story 3 (in 2D) on Friday and it was well worth the price of admission. It was easily the best kids’ film I’ve ever seen and I’ll see it again with my son before it hits DVD. (At which point I’ll easily see it dozens of times.) The theater was crowded and we were all laughing, cheering and gasping at the nonstop action and clever characters. There were so many great moments and the story was appropriate for young kids while being thoroughly entertaining for adults. I’m glad it’s doing well and can only wish that every family movie was half as well made. Here’s more on how well it did, especially compared to Jonah Hex, which was a certified bomb with only a $5.1 million take.
The animated sequel about toys that come to life leaped to the No. 1 spot with a $109 million opening weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday.
“Toy Story 3” became the third animated film to top $100 million in the first weekend, joining “Shrek the Third” at $121.6 million and “Shrek 2” at $108 million.
It was by far the best debut for a film from Disney’s Pixar Animation, topping “The Incredibles” at $70.5 million.
Reuniting voice stars Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, the movie has Woody the cowboy, Buzz Lightyear and their toy pals facing their mortality, worried they will end up on the scrap heap now that their kid has grown up.
“Whether you’re a kid or a parent, you always come to a fork in the road where you make the decision of what to do about your toys. Therein lies the appeal of the movie,” said Chuck Viane, head of distribution for Disney.
That, and the fact that Woody, Buzz and the gang have become like family to “Toy Story” fans, he said.
“Somehow these characters have worked their way in. When you go there, you can see the audience is vested in the movie from the start. It doesn’t take any time to warm up. The minute it hits the screen, they’re in,” Viane said.
“Toy Story 3” took over the No. 1 spot from Sony’s “The Karate Kid,” which pulled in $29 million to raise its 10-day total to $106.3 million.
The weekend’s other new wide release, the Warner Bros. action tale “Jonah Hex,” bombed with just $5.1 million. Adapted from the comic book series, “Jonah Hex” stars Josh Brolin as a disfigured 19th century bounty hunter tracking a villain who aims to unleash a doomsday weapon.
“Toy Story 3” took in an additional $44.8 million overseas, giving it a worldwide total of $153.8 million. The movie has opened in such countries as Mexico, Argentina and China but will not debut in most major foreign markets until July and August.
The film also maintains the perfect track record of Pixar, whose 11 films all have opened at No. 1, starting with the original “Toy Story” in 1995 and continuing with such hits as “Finding Nemo,” ‘‘Ratatouille,” ‘‘WALL-E” and last year’s “Up.”
“Disney-Pixar is the best box-office insurance policy you can have,” said Paul Dergarabedian, box-office analyst for Hollywood.com. “It’s a brand that just resonates with audiences. If they go to a Pixar movie, they know they’re going to be entertained. They’re going to have a great time and also get a message. There’s always a positive lesson you walk away with.”
[From Variety]
I also saw Shrek 4 last week and it wasn’t as bad as I was expecting. Toy Story 3 totally exceeded my expectations, though, in every way. Popeater notes that the entire Toy Story franchise has almost reached a record of a 100% fresh aggregate critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Toy Story 1 and 2 are rated 100% but a couple of contrarians are dragging down the third movie to 99%. I was so disappointed to read Daniel Carlson’s negative review on Pajiba, too. There’s no reason not to go see Toy Story 3, and if you don’t have kids you can go with friends or babysit as an excuse to go see it. It’s just that wonderful.
Here’s the trailer:
Toy Story 3 Trailer in HD
Trailer Park Movies | MySpace Video
Photos from Disney/Pixar via All Movie Photo
I plan to go see this with my nephew. I’ve seen the other two seems a shame not to see this one also.Lol.
Going to see it this week!
We took my husband to see it yesterday for Father’s Day, and I didn’t like it as much as the other two. Still a good movie though, and I loved Spanish Buzz Lightyear.
We LOVED it, although we’re at the point where we’ll do ANYTHING to stay inside in this steamy summer weather.
I went last night, at 10:30 PM on a Sunday in a theatre where it was playing in 4 different rooms (2 in 3d, the other 2 in 2d). In that one room that I was in (2d), the entire audience was soon filled nearly completely, and all of us were laughing to the point of tears, and even moved to sentimental tears in some points (andy and bonnie at the end- too sweet!)! It was such a joy.
I’m 20 years old and I went with adults. Most if not all of the people in the audience when I went were adults/ teens. And we all absolutely loved it. I want to see it again in 3d!
I tell you, I was in kindergarten when the first one came out and I remember the excitement of the children talking about it at show-and-tell. I had high hopes for this 3rd movie and they managed to exceed my expectations. Bravo, Pixar!
I loved it! My best friend and I made a girl’s night of it and laughed and nearly cried throughout the entire thing. This was better than 2 in my opinion.
I can’t wait for a box set of all 3 to come out!
Really looking forward to this movie!
Sooo…just curious…does anyone here in their late 20’s or older recognize that particular Barbie?
I remember having that Barbie doll with the blue unitard, belt, and leg warmers. If I recall correctly she was called “Great Shape Barbie.” Kinda went with the 80’s fitness craze. She was my faaaaaavorite. 🙂
Haven’t seen the movie yet, but I get a serious blast of nostalgia when I see the commercials.
@ Penguen, I do! I saw the movie Saturday and enjoyed it very much. I especially loved seeing that Barbie. I thought she was called “Exercise Barbie.” I had her and “Exercise Ken,” and their gym. But, I was probably about 6 or 7 at the time, so it may be that that’s only what I called them.
It was just ok. I will buy it when it comes out my kids have toy story and toy story 2.
I ne’er go to the theatre anymore — and NE’ER on an opening weekend but we went for my daughter’s 21st birthday (which was sentimental and sweet as we saw the original for her birthday when she was like 5 or 6). I FREAKIN’ LOVED IT! I already want to see it again!
I haven’t LOVED a movie this much in years! I actually e’en liked it MORE than the first two. I laughed, I cried… and the 3D was mind-blowing (my first experience with that).
Did anyone else find the opening short to be kind of a “pro gay marriage” thing? Way to go Disney — I wouldn’t have expected that from them!
Go see this movie — you will not be disappointed!
@ Aquarius:
Rock on! I’m so jealous you had the gym!
I DEFINATELY saw it on opening day, with my boys and they hardly sit still during a movie and ironically they were the best behaved,lol. I was the loudest one laughing and I laughed the most too. lmao I don’t get how other people were too quiet and not laughing, then again, that’s just me, I’m always like that, a big kid at heart. 😉 It’s a must see and I will most likely want to see it again and I can’t wait for it be on sale, I’m buying it. Ofcoarse my kids own the first two movies and almost the whole cast of toys,lol. 😉 Now that I’m having a girl, I have an excuse to get Jessie, Barbie and Mrs. Potato Head,lol.
I’m 22, and I’m definitely seeing this. All my friends that I’ve spoken to about this are excited about it. I just hope there isn’t anything in it as sad as Jessie’s song in TS2.
I saw it yesterday. I very rarely go to the movies but we’re in Malaysia at the moment and it only cost a couple of dollars so me and the man thought what the hell. We both totally loved it.
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