Hexed Box Office Target: What Disney’s New Animated Film Needs to Surpass 2026’s Biggest Hit
Disney's upcoming animated movie Hexed is gearing up for a Thanksgiving debut, but it faces a towering challenge to outpace Toy Story 5 as the highest-grossing animated feature of 2026.
Published 3 November 2026
Introduction to the Upcoming Release
Disney is preparing to launch its latest animated feature, Hexed, arriving in theaters just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday. As the release date approaches, industry watchers are examining whether the new title has what it takes to climb to the top of the global box office charts for animated films this year.
The studio is positioning the project as a major holiday offering, hoping to capture family audiences during one of the most lucrative box office windows of the calendar. However, the benchmark set by earlier releases in 2026 leaves little room for error if it hopes to claim the crown.
The Target Set by Toy Story 5
To become the highest-grossing animated film of 2026 worldwide, Hexed must surpass the massive global earnings of Toy Story 5. That summer blockbuster established itself as a massive commercial titan, bringing in a total of $1.149 billion globally according to data from Box Office Mojo.
That impressive total includes $480.3 million from domestic ticket sales and $669.1 million from international territories. Furthermore, those figures made it the third-highest-grossing film of the year overall and cemented it as the biggest installment in its own franchise history.
Opening Weekend Projections
Early box office tracking suggests that Hexed is poised for a strong start in North America, though its initial numbers indicate a steep climb ahead for global supremacy. Analysts project a three-day opening weekend between $35 million and $45 million.
When extended to a five-day Thanksgiving frame, the projections rise to a range of $50 million to $70 million. While these figures point to a solid opening—potentially topping the debut of Encanto for an original property—they fall well short of the velocity needed to easily challenge the year's frontrunners.
Star-Studded Voice Cast
The upcoming Disney release features a prominent and extensive voice cast assembled to bring its magical world to life. The roster includes Hailee Steinfeld, Rashida Jones, Jodie Foster, and Walton Goggins.
Rounding out the ensemble are Tracey Ullman, Stephen Fry, Henry Winkler, Dan Stevens, Brett Gelman, and Samson Kayo, adding considerable star power to the animated adventure.
Plot and Premise
The narrative centers on Billie, an impulsive and unconventional teenager who encounters magical abilities following her expulsion from school. Her newfound powers transport her away from suburban life and into Hexe, a secret realm populated by witches.
Accompanied by her cautious mother, Alice, the protagonist embarks on a journey to uncover hidden family secrets tied directly to this strange and mystical environment.
The Global Challenge Ahead
Based on the extraordinary success of rival releases, Hexed will need to amass approximately $1.15 billion globally to secure the title of 2026's top-grossing animated feature. Given current forecasts, achieving such a towering milestone will demand an exceptionally resilient theatrical run.
While original animated properties often rely on strong word-of-mouth and long legs at the box office, overtaking a billion-dollar titan like Toy Story 5 remains a formidable hurdle for any new release.
News Overview
Disney's upcoming animated film Hexed is scheduled for release on November 25, facing a massive global target of $1.15 billion to dethrone Toy Story 5 as the highest-grossing animated movie of 2026. Early North American tracking points to a solid multi-day holiday debut, though the film will need an unprecedented worldwide performance to reach the top spot.
Key facts
- Hexed releases on November 25.
- Toy Story 5 earned $1.149 billion worldwide.
- Toy Story 5 domestic collection was $480.3 million.
- Toy Story 5 international collection was $669.1 million.
- Hexed projected three-day debut is $35 million to $45 million.
- Hexed projected five-day extended debut is $50 million to $70 million.