Disney-Pixar’s ‘Toy Story 5’ Dominates South Korean Box Office as Thriller ‘The Eyes’ Debuts in Second
Disney and Pixar’s latest animated blockbuster, Toy Story 5, continued its triumphant run at the South Korean box office, securing the coveted number-one spot for the weekend of June 26–28. According to official tracking data from KOBIS, the cinema ticket integrated information network operated by the Korean Film Council, the beloved franchise installment generated $3.3 million from 502,939 admissions over the three-day window. The film’s strong holdover performance managed to ward off fresh competition, solidifying Pixar's enduring appeal in one of its key Asian territories.
South Korea has historically served as a lucrative stronghold for major Hollywood animated features, with previous Disney-Pixar releases like Elemental and Inside Out 2 enjoying massive, multi-week runs. Industry analysts attribute the sustained success of Toy Story 5 to its multi-generational appeal, drawing in nostalgic millennial audiences alongside young families. "The 'Toy Story' intellectual property possesses a rare cross-demographic pull in Korea," noted film market analyst Kim Sung-hoon. "Even in its fifth iteration, the franchise benefits from high consumer trust and premium screen allocations across major national theater chains like CJ CGV, Lotte Cinema, and Megabox."
Meanwhile, the highly anticipated suspense thriller The Eyes made a strong debut, claiming the second-place position. While it failed to dethrone the reigning animated champion, the film carved out a respectable share of the weekend market, appealing to older demographics seeking high-stakes genre storytelling. The thriller’s opening-weekend performance reflects a broader, ongoing trend in South Korean cinema, where tightly-plotted domestic thrillers and mystery dramas consistently serve as reliable, counter-programming alternatives against massive Hollywood tentpoles.
The weekend's overall box office metrics signal a healthy kickoff to the highly competitive summer movie season in South Korea. With total theatrical revenues showing steady signs of post-pandemic stabilization, local exhibitors are preparing for a crowded slate of upcoming domestic blockbusters and international franchises scheduled to release in July. For now, the dual success of a family-friendly animated juggernaut and a tense psychological thriller demonstrates a balanced appetite among South Korean moviegoers, setting a promising tone for the third quarter of the theatrical calendar.