“Inside Out 2” Becomes First 2024 Film to Hit $1 Billion Globally

Inside Out 2 has set a remarkable record by grossing $1 billion in global box office collections faster than any animated film in history. This Disney and Pixar collaboration also marks the first film of 2024 to hit the significant milestone.

The sequel continues the story of 13-year-old Riley, who now faces new emotions like Anxiety, Envy, Ennui, and Embarrassment, challenging her previously familiar feelings of Joy, Fear, and Anger. Directed by Kelsey Mann, the film introduces new cast members including Maya Hawke, Ayo Edebiri, Adèle Exarchopoulos, Paul Walter Hauser, Kensington Tallman, and June Squibb. Returning voices include Amy Poehler and Phyllis Smith.

Released in theaters on June 14, Inside Out 2 brought in $151 million domestically, surpassing Dune: Part 2 for the biggest opening of the year. It also became the first film since last year’s Barbie to earn over $100 million in its opening weekend.

Since its debut, Inside Out 2 has maintained the top spot at the box office for three consecutive weekends and has amassed a global total of $1.015 billion. This achievement surpasses the lifetime gross of the original 2015 Inside Out, which earned $90 million during its opening weekend and concluded its run with $859 million worldwide.

On this milestone, Michael O’Leary, president and CEO of the National Association of Theatre Owners, congratulated Disney and Inside Out 2 for achieving this feat faster than any animated movie ever. “The film’s stunning global success once again illustrates that audiences the world over will respond to compelling, entertaining movies, and that they want to enjoy them on the big screen,” he said.

Data from Comscore reveals that domestic box office sales had been trailing 25 percent behind those of 2023 until the release of Inside Out 2, which has provided a significant boost to the otherwise sluggish 2024 box office.

Inside Out 2 now belongs to an exclusive club of 11 animated films that have made over $1 billion. This elite group includes other beloved titles such as The Incredibles 2, Finding Dory, Frozen, its sequel, and the final two Toy Story movies.

Clarisse Loughrey from The Independent gave the film four stars, describing it as “a film that’s been packed to the rafters with silly, witty observations.” She added that the “cynicism-free sequel might just save Pixar.”

Source: Clarisse Loughrey, The Independent