Toy Story franchise has driven $16 billion in revenue, says new report
The world-famous Toy Story franchise has driven $16 billion in revenue for its owner, The Walt Disney Company, since the release in 1995 of the first blockbuster film, a co-creation of Disney and Pixar. That is according to a new report from impact advisory firm Steward Redqueen, commissioned by Disney.
The report found that around half of that $16 billion in revenue ($7.5 billion) was generated domestically in the U.S., while the rest was found elsewhere around the world. Another finding was that the franchise has generated almost $50 billion in "overall economic impact" globally.
Not long after opening day of the first Toy Story film, the film would quickly surpass all expectations, with total ticket sales more than quadrupling the amount the film needed to break even. That was good news for Disney, because the production of the film, which required new computer technologies that were cutting-edge at the time, was notoriously expensive. The great reception even reportedly surprised Disney’s then-chairman Michael Eisner.
Since the release of the first film, there have been several Toy Story sequels and the associated franchise has seen great success around the world.
"The Toy Story Franchise is a multi-generational economic engine that has supported $50 billion in global economic impact, operating across movies, streaming, parks, cruises, and consumer products," reads a press release from Steward Redqueen.
"What a joy to document and capture a franchise that means so much to so many, including the Steward Redqueen team. Thank you to our partners at The Walt Disney Company for your trust and collaboration."
The economic impact of the franchise was measured by looking at a number of different factors, including revenue from manufacturers, distributors, and finally retailers. This includes direct and indirect associations with the brand. In fact, most of the total economic impact (81%) was felt by companies not directly associated with Disney.
These findings come just as "Toy Story 5," the latest installment of the film series, appears in theaters. The film has been well-received so far, banking a whopping $312 million at box offices worldwide in just its first weekend debut. Much-loved main characters Woody and Buzz Lightyear are still voiced by the original voice actors Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, respectively, and the film is directed by Andrew Stanton (director of "Finding Nemo," "WALL-E," and more).
The franchise’s first four films banked around $3 billion in total ticket sales. In 2006, Disney acquired Pixar, with the Toy Story franchise becoming a valuable asset for Disney throughout the early 2000s, across a wide variety of products from experiential and theme parks, to merchandise and streaming rights. Though Disney has struggled somewhat to keep up the momentum, that success is expected to continue.
