Disney/Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” is making waves at the box office, with projections indicating a massive opening weekend of $120M-$130M, potentially the best of 2024 so far. The film, directed by Kelsey Mann, has already raked in $60M on its opening day, making it the second-best opening day for an animated movie, trailing only behind “Incredibles 2,” which opened with $71.2M in 2018.
The sequel is outperforming last summer’s animated hit, Sony’s “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” which had a $51.8M opening day. This strong start positions “Inside Out 2” for the third-best opening weekend ever for an animated film, following “Incredibles 2” ($182.6M) and last year’s “Super Mario Bros Movie” ($146.3M).
Audience reception has been overwhelmingly positive, with “Inside Out 2” earning an A CinemaScore, matching the grade of its 2015 predecessor. The film’s success is partly attributed to a significant turnout from Latino and Hispanic moviegoers, who make up 42% of the audience, compared to 31% Caucasian, 10% Black, and 10% Asian viewers.
Social media buzz has been a driving force behind the film’s success. Analytics firm RelishMix reported that conversations around “Inside Out 2” are highly positive, with fans excited about the new emotions introduced in the sequel. Comments like “Anxiety is a fantastic villain” and “The emotions are back after 9 years. Let’s go!!!” reflect the enthusiasm of the audience.
The film’s social media reach is impressive, standing at 556.4M across platforms like TikTok, X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. This is higher than “Kung Fu Panda 4” (353.5M) and “Trolls Bands Together” (287M), though it falls short of “Minions: The Rise of Gru” (668.4M). Maya Hawke, who voices the new character Anxiety, is leading the charge on social media with a reach of over 10M.
One notable clip that has garnered significant attention on YouTube is the “Booth to Screen” of the voiceover cast, further fueling the film’s popularity.
Despite concerns that Disney+ might cannibalize box office revenue for Pixar movies, “Inside Out 2” is proving otherwise. The film is on track to achieve the biggest opening of the year, potentially reaching $150M, which would make it the second-best stateside start for a Pixar movie after “The Incredibles.”
The film has already banked $56M, including $13M from Thursday previews. The strong turnout from Hispanic and Latino moviegoers has significantly contributed to this success.
In comparison, Sony’s “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” is holding its own against “Inside Out 2,” with a projected $28M for its second weekend. Meanwhile, 20th Century Studios/Disney’s “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” remains in the top five, earning $4.45M in its sixth weekend, bringing its total to $157M.
Other notable films include Alcon/Sony’s “The Garfield Movie,” which is expected to earn $4.1M in its fourth weekend, and Paramount’s “IF,” which is projected to cross the $100M mark in its fifth weekend.
“Inside Out 2” has also set records for Thursday previews, earning $13M, the best so far in 2024, surpassing “Dune: Part Two’s” $12M. The film has a 93% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes from critics and a 95% rating from moviegoers, setting it up for a potential $100M+ opening weekend. The overseas cume stands at $22.3M.
The film is expected to surpass its $135M global opening projection, demonstrating that the Pixar brand remains strong. Unlike 2022’s “Lightyear,” “Inside Out 2” brought back most of the original voice cast, contributing to its success. The film has received high ratings from audiences, with parents giving it five stars and kids 4½ stars.
Comparisons to other successful films like “The Little Mermaid,” “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” and “Minions: The Rise of Gru” highlight the strong performance of “Inside Out 2.” The film’s previews have significantly outperformed the 2015 original, which had a $3.7M preview and a $90.4M opening.
“Inside Out 2” is showing in 4,400 theaters, utilizing premium formats like PLFs, Dbox, Dolby, and Imax to enhance the viewing experience. The film’s success is a testament to the enduring appeal of Pixar movies and the continued interest in theatrical releases.
