Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” has achieved a significant milestone at the box office, alleviating concerns about the future of the Disney-owned animation studio. The sequel to the beloved 2015 original has surpassed the $1.25 billion mark globally, making it Pixar’s highest-grossing movie to date without adjusting for inflation. This achievement dethrones 2018’s “Incredibles 2,” which previously held the record.
“Inside Out 2” has generated $543.5 million in the U.S. and Canada, though it still falls short of Pixar’s domestic record of nearly $609 million set by “Incredibles 2.” Adjusted for today’s dollars, “Incredibles 2” would have a U.S.-Canada total of $758.5 million. The success of “Inside Out 2” is particularly noteworthy given Pixar’s recent struggles. The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted the box office performance of its 2020 release “Onward,” and the next three Pixar titles—”Soul,” “Luca,” and “Turning Red”—were released directly on Disney+.
The studio’s subsequent effort, “Lightyear,” failed to impress, receiving mixed reviews and facing political backlash for including a same-sex kiss. These challenges led to questions about Pixar’s quality and whether Disney had conditioned its audience to wait for home releases instead of going to theaters. However, “Inside Out 2” has helped to dispel these doubts.
Family films, especially franchises, have been performing well at the box office recently. For instance, Universal and Illumination’s “Despicable Me 4” debuted with $123 million domestically over the Fourth of July weekend. Pixar’s next project, “Elio,” is slated for release in 2025 and will focus on a boy who becomes Earth’s intergalactic ambassador.
The original “Inside Out” was a critical and commercial success, earning $356 million domestically and nearly $900 million globally. It was praised for its animation and its exploration of complex emotional themes. The film follows Riley, an 11-year-old girl who moves from Minnesota to San Francisco, and the emotions in her head—Joy, Anger, Fear, and Disgust—who try to improve her mood. The film highlights the importance of sadness in human experience, a theme that resonated with audiences and critics alike.
“Inside Out 2” continues this exploration of emotions, introducing new characters like Anxiety, Envy, Ennui, and Embarrassment as Riley becomes a teenager. The film has become a cultural talking point about the emotional changes that come with puberty and is being championed by educators and psychologists as a teaching moment.
The sequel has shattered numerous records since its release in early June, including crossing the $1 billion mark at the global box office in just 19 days, a record for an animated film. It is the top-grossing film of 2024 to date and the first movie since “Barbie” to join the billion-dollar club. Among animated movies, it’s the 11th film to achieve this milestone, with Disney laying claim to eight of those releases.
“Inside Out 2” is a much-needed win for Pixar, which faced setbacks when three of its movies were sent straight to streaming by the previous regime at Disney. The return of Bob Iger as CEO has been seen as a positive change for the studio.
The film features an ensemble voice cast led by Amy Poehler, who reprises her role as Joy. Other stars include Maya Hawke, Kensington Tallman, Liza Lapira, Tony Hale, Lewis Black, Phyllis Smith, Ayo Edebiri, Lilimar, Grace Lu, Sumayyah Nuriddin-Green, Adèle Exarchopoulos, Diane Lane, Kyle MacLachlan, Paul Walter Hauser, and Yvette Nicole Brown.
In 2015, the original “Inside Out” earned $858.8 million globally. The success of “Inside Out 2” not only surpasses this figure but also reaffirms Pixar’s ability to create compelling, emotionally resonant stories that appeal to audiences of all ages.
Source: Los Angeles Times, The Hollywood Reporter
