Disney/Pixar's Toy Story 3 earned an estimated $153.8 million worldwide during its opening weekend. Domestically, the film generated $109 million, becoming the second-biggest grossing start for an animated feature, behind Shrek the Third ($121.6 million).

Toy Story 3's domestic numbers also marked it as Pixar's highest-grossing opener since The Incredibles, which raked in $70.5 million in its 2004 debut. Internationally, the Toy Story 3 opening grossed $44.8 million.

As previously reported in License! Global (March/April 2010), Andy Mooney, chairman of Disney Consumer Products, predicts Toy Story 3 will be the biggest merchandising event DCP has ever had that will only be eclipsed by Cars 2 next year. The Toy Story franchise is valued at $8 billion at retail. The Toy Story 3 licensing program includes more than 20 licensees, including Thinkway Toys, Mattel, The LEGO Group, Hasbro, Jakks Pacific and Fisher-Price. It also features 14 new toys, including a plush bear character named Lots-O'-Huggin' Bear from Thinkway Toys.