Toy Story 5 Tops List of Most Anticipated Movies of the Summer

Ticketing platform Fandango has released the results of a new audience survey, revealing the most anticipated movie releases of the upcoming summer season.

The study, which included more than 6,000 users, shows that audiences continue to favor established franchises and familiar characters, while original projects lag behind in terms of interest.

Top spot: the return of a beloved animated franchise
Toy Story 5 claimed the top position by a wide margin. Pixar’s iconic series remains one of the most beloved among audiences of all ages.

The previous installment was released seven years ago, allowing the franchise to avoid oversaturation. On the contrary, the long gap has only increased anticipation for the continuation of the story.

Superheroes remain strong
In second place is Spider-Man 4: Brand New Day, confirming the continued dominance of the superhero genre.

The previous film in the franchise grossed around $1.9 billion worldwide, becoming one of the biggest box office hits of its time. The new installment is widely expected to cross the $1 billion mark.

Sequels dominate the list
The ranking also includes several other high-profile sequels: The Devil Wears Prada 2, Scary Movie 6, Mortal Kombat 2, Minions 3, and Insidious 6.

This lineup highlights a key trend in today’s box office landscape — a strong reliance on recognizable brands and proven stories.

Major studios lead the market
The survey results also point to the significant influence of major media companies. A large portion of the listed titles is connected to Disney-owned properties, suggesting the studio may dominate the summer box office.

What it means for the industry
Fandango’s findings reinforce a clear pattern: audiences are increasingly drawn to familiar universes where they already have an emotional connection to the characters. While this reduces financial risk for studios, it also makes it harder for original ideas to break through.

Based on current expectations, the summer season is once again shaping up to be a battleground for major franchises, where nostalgia and brand loyalty will play a decisive role in capturing audience attention.