Disney-Pixar’s animated ‘Lightyear‘ only managed an estimated $51 million at the North American box office this weekend for a second-place finish behind Universal’s “Jurassic World: Dominion, which made an estimated $58.6 million.
With Lightyear requiring a $200 million investment to produce, North American ticket sales came in way under industry expectations. Disney had projected the film to make $70-$80 million on the opening weekend. To compare, Toy Story 4 in 2019 topped $120 million in its domestic debut and Toy Story 3 generated more than $110 million during its opening 2010.
Internationally, the film tallied an additional $34.6 million in ticket sales, bringing its global haul to $85.6 million.
‘Lightyear’ is the origin story about the astronaut who inspired the Buzz Lightyear action figure from the “Toy Story” movies and was Pixar’s first major theatrical release since early 2020.
The movie has been banned in over 14 markets in the Middle East and Southeast Asia because it contains a same-sex relationship. In one scene, a space ranger voiced by Uzo Aduba gives her wife a kiss. The Chinese authorities have not yet said whether they will clear “Lightyear” for release.