Summary
Although many expectedInside Out 2to perform well at the box office, no one could have predicted the numerous box office records it broke in just its first two weeks in theaters. Pixar’s 2024 animated coming-of-age film is a sequel to 2015’sInside Out, which ultimately grossed $858 million against a budget of $175 million. Aside from its box office achievements,Inside Outwas also a critical success, having won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature at the 88th Academy Awards. With the way that the sequel is going, though,Inside Out 2is surpassing the accomplishments of the original.
Inside Out 2is the first $1 billion film of 2024.
Inside Out 2picks up one year after the first movie’s ending, with Riley officially becoming a teenager, bringing a lot of change, including new emotions. Four emotions — Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment, and Ennui — move into headquarters and immediately clash with Joy, Sadness, Disgust, Fear, and Anger. Anxiety’s idea of helping Riley doesn’t match up with Joy’s approach, which ultimately leads to the new emotions banishing the old ones. Just like the first film,the sequel explores the complexity of growing up and balancing one’s emotions,but unlike the original,Inside Out 2made over $1 billion at the box office.
8Inside Out 2 Is The Highest Grossing Film Of 2024 (So Far)
The Pixar Sequel Surpassed Dune: Part Two
After two weeks in theaters,Inside Out 2easily slid pastDune: Part Twoto become the highest-grossing film of 2024.Denis Villeneuve’s epic science fiction film set many box office records during its theatrical run, but it was no match for Pixar.Inside Out 2is the highest-grossing movie of 2024, and it only took the animated feature a couple of weeks to claim the top spot, an impressive feat. Perhaps some believed the sequel could achieve this record. But no one likely thought it would be able to do so quickly after its release.
Inside Out 2(still in theaters)
$1.463 billion
$712 million
Despicable Me 4(still in theaters)
$598.5 million
$570 million
$546.4 million
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
$396.7 million
Bad Boys: Ride or Die
$388 million
$248 million
$243.6 million
$202 million
July 12, 2025
Of course, there are still six months left in 2024. Upcoming highly-anticipatedmovies likeDeadpool & Wolverine,Moana 2, orJoker: Folie à Deuxmight have what it takes to overcomeInside Out 2’s record-breaking box office numbers. However, with the way that the Pixar sequel is going,it’s going to be tough for any film to steal the number one spot on the highest-grossing movies of 2024 list fromInside Out 2.Plus, it’s still in theaters and has many more weeks to earn an unbelievable amount of money at the box office.
I’m Annoyed By Inside Out 2’s Explanation For The First Movie’s Missing Emotions
Inside Out 2 provides an explanation as to why the newly introduced emotions are missing from the first film, but it is not what you would expect.
7Inside Out 2’s Opening Weekend Was The Best Of 2024
The Movie Experienced The Highest Domestic Opening Weekend Since Barbie In 2023
Along with snatching the number one spot on the highest-grossing films of 2024 list fromDune: Part Two,Inside Out 2also had the best opening weekend domestic box office out of any movie in 2024. After its premiere on June 16,Pixar’s animated coming-of-age film earned $155 million in the domestic market during its first weekend in theaters.Inside Out 2’s opening is the best sincethe record-breaking 2023 movieBarbie, which made $162 million during its debut. As many will recall,Barbiewent on to become the highest-grossing film of 2023, giving hope toInside Out 2’s staying power.
Inside Out 2grossed $155 million domestically and $140 million across 38 international box office markets, bringing its opening total to $295 million.
Before its premiere,Inside Out 2was projected to earn $80 million to $90 million over the course of its opening weekendat the domestic box office. However, the sequel completely blew those predictions out of the water. After it reportedly earned $63 million on its first day, projections were immediately raised to $140 million to $150 million for the weekend of June 14.Inside Out 2destroyed the box office by breaking recordsand grossing over $70 million more than those early projections, gliding past the other 2024 movies in theaters.
6Inside Out 2 Has The Highest Animated Movie Worldwide Opening
Inside Out 2 Also Has The Second Highest Grossing Opening Weekend In The Domestic Market For A Pixar Film
Inside Out 2set various records concerning the domestic box office, but its worldwide numbers are even more impressive. The Pixar sequel earned $155 million domestically during its opening weekend in theaters, which is a fantastic feat in and of itself. However,Inside Out 2made a whopping $295 million at the international box officeover the weekend of June 16. As a result,Inside Out 2now holds the record for the highest grossing worldwide opening for an animated film, surpassingThe Super Mario Bros. Moviewhen taking current exchange rates and like-for-like markets into account.
[Inside Out 2] became only the seventh movie in history to make over $100 million during its second weekend in theaters.
Inside Out 2grossed $155 million domestically and $140 million across 38 international box office markets, bringing its opening total to $295 million. Alongside this milestone,Inside Out 2also secured the second-largest opening weekend at the domestic box office for a Pixar movie.It fell just $28 million short of beating 2018’sThe Incredibles 2,which holds the top spot with $182.6 million. Given this outstanding record, it would be shocking if Pixar didn’t follow through withAmy Poehler’s five movie plan forInside Out, especially because the animation studio has made it clear they are focusing on sequels.
5Inside Out 2’s Second Weekend Was The Biggest For An Animated Film
The Sequel Grossed $101 Million During Its Second Weekend
Yes,Inside Out 2’s opening weekend was monumental, but its second weekend in theaters was even more grand.The 2024 animated coming-of-age film seemingly had no plans to slow down following its record-breaking opening and ultimately grossed $101 million at the domestic box office over the course of its second weekend.Inside Out 2’s $101 million outing meant the sequel is now the record holder for the biggest domestic second weekend for an animated movie. Consequently, the Pixar feature trumpedThe Super Mario Bros. Movie’s second-weekend earnings in April 2023.
Steve Purcell
Deep Dark Secret
Not only didInside Out 2achieve the highest-grossing second weekend for an animated flick, but it also became onlythe seventh movie in history to make over $100 million during its second weekend in theaters.Inside Out 2joinsStar Wars: The Force Awakens,Avengers: Endgame,Avengers: Infinity War,Black Panther,Jurassic World, andThe Avengersin this exclusive club. It seems as ifInside Out 2is more importantthan anyone ever thought it would be (in various ways).
Inside Out 2’s Deep Dark Secret Is A Subtle Back To The Future Reference
Riley’s “Deep Dark Secret” is one of the best running gags in Inside Out 2 – and it’s a subtle reference to a classic line from Back to the Future.
4Inside Out 2’s Second Weekend’s Drop Is a Record-Breaking Low
The Lowest Drop Of Any Movie That Grossed Over $150 Million In Its Opening Week
Inside Out 2’s storyevidently drew millions of people to the cinema to witness the return ofAmy Poehler’s Joy and the debut of Maya Hawke’s Anxietyduring its opening weekend as it grossed $155 million. However, as mentioned above, the sequel’s second weekend in theaters was equally (or maybe even exceedingly) impressive as it earned $101 million at the domestic box office. When considering these monumental numbers,Inside Out 2only experienced a 35 percent drop between its opening and second outing,which is the lowest drop for any movie that grossed over $150 million during its first week in theaters.
Pixar has not announced any plans for a third installment in theInside Outfranchise. However, when taking into accountInside Out 2’s early success at the box office and the endless possibilities for more stories (and more emotions, including Nostalgia, who was teased in the sequel) in this universe, anotherInside Outfilm is inevitable.
Inside Out 2’s 35 percent drop surpassed the previous record holder,The Super Mario Bros Movie, which experienced a 36 percent decrease. Other movies that sit atop that list includeStar Wars: TheForce Awakenswith -40 percent,Avengers: Endgamewith -59 percent, andThe Incredibles 2with -56 percent.Many credit the Pixar sequel’s monumental low drop to high temperatures and storms that drove many to air-conditioned theatersto escape the heat and bad weather during the weekend of June 21.
3Inside Out 2 Holds The Record For Highest-Grossing Animated Film At The Domestic Box Office
Surpassing The Incredibles 2
As of the writing of this article,Inside Out 2is less than $8 million shy of surpassingIncredible 2’s domestic box office record. The 2024 sequel will undoubtedly be able to accomplish that feat, making it the highest-grossing animated movie at the domestic box office.Incredibles2has held that title since its premiere in 2018,grossing around $608.6 million domestically. However,Inside Out 2’s box office records are too impressive, easily beating its competitors.
Inside Out 2alsoquickly smashedThe Super Mario Bros. Movie’s box office recordas the second-highest domestic-grossing animated film.The Super Mario Bros. Movieaccumulated almost $575 million domestically, andInside Out 2currently sits at around $601 million.However, the latter’s numbers will significantly increase, pushing it to the top of the list of most successful animated films at the domestic box office.
2Inside Out 2 Is The Highest-Grossing Pixar Movie
Incredibles 2 Previously Held The Record For Pixar
Now that the 2024 animated coming-of-age movie has officially earned more than $1.463 billion at the worldwide box office,Inside Out 2has taken the top spot as the highest-grossing Pixar film. TheInside Outsequel easily took that record fromIncredibles 2,which made $1.243 billionthroughout its theatrical run in the summer of 2018. Not many expectedInside Out 2to cross the $1 billion mark, let alone become Pixar’s most successful movie of all time.
Aside fromInside Out 2andIncredibles 2,the other $1 billion Pixar films includeToy Story 4, Toy Story 3,andFinding Dory.
Aside fromInside Out 2andIncredibles 2,the other $1 billionPixar moviesincludeToy Story 4, Toy Story 3,andFinding Dory.The thirdToy Storymovieamassed $1.067 billion in 2010, becomingthe first animated feature to gross over $1 billion(and the first Pixar film to do so). It was followed byFinding Doryin 2016, which earned $1.029 billion,Incredibles 2with $1.243 billion in 2018, and thenToy Story 4with $1.073 billion in 2019.
10 Moments From Inside Out 2 That Made Us Cry
Pixar never fails to make viewers cry, and Inside Out 2 was no exception as Riley became a teen, resulting in Anxiety and other new emotions' arrival.
1Inside Out 2 Is The Highest-Grossing Animated Film Of All Time
The Pixar Movie Beat Frozen II
The 2024 sequel’s most impressive box office record is thatInside Out 2is the highest-grossing animated movie of all time, surpassingFrozen II.Disney’sFrozensequel accumulated $1.453 billion at the worldwide box officeduring its theatrical run in late 2019, which wasn’t too surprising given the success of the first film (which made $1.28 billion in 2013).Frozen IIwas able to hold the title of highest-grossing animated movie for almost five years untilInside Out 2premiered in June 2024.
Inside Out 2is also the fastest animated movie to cross the $1 billion mark at the box office, having done so just 19 days after its premiere in June 2024.
There is some debate about whetherThe Lion King(2019) is considered an animated project, seeing as Disney labels it live-action. However, it was completely rendered through photorealistic animation, meaning some dub it an animated film.The Lion King(2019) earned $1.663 billion,which would push it ahead of theInside Outsequel. Nevertheless, most don’t takeThe Lion King(2019) into account when calculating the highest-grossing animated movies, meaning thatInside Out 2now sits at the top.
Inside Out 2
Cast
Inside Out 2 is the sequel to the 2015 original film, which starred a young girl named Riley with a head full of emotions. - literally. With Amy Pohler as Joy, Bill Hader as fear, Mindy Kaling as Disgust, Phyllis Smith as Sadness, and Lewis Black as Anger, the all-star cast brought to life the emotions that adolescents face as they grow, change, and adapt to new situations. This sequel, currently in development, will bring Amy Pohler back as Joy, with Riley, now a teenager.
