The addition of new emotions like anxiety, embarrassment, ennui, and envy proved to be a winning formula for “Inside Out 2,” which grossed $155 million in its opening weekend, making it the highest-grossing debut of the year and the second-best opening ever for a Pixar animated film.
“Inside Out 2” exceeded expectations, surpassing its $90 million projection and breaking records along the way. The sequel to the 2015 hit film earned $155 million domestically and an additional $140 million internationally, marking the best-ever opening for an animated film in similar markets, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
This opening weekend was not only the highest of the summer but also the best of 2024, trailing only behind Pixar’s “Incredibles 2” for the top domestic opening for an animated film. “Inside Out 2” revitalized a sluggish summer box office, outshining other releases and setting a new benchmark for the year.
In comparison, “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” which also exceeded expectations with its opening last weekend, secured the second spot with an additional $33 million. Other top performers included “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” ($5.2 million), “The Garfield Movie” ($5 million), and “IF” ($3.5 million).
This weekend’s box office grossed 30% more than Father’s Day weekend last year, which had seen disappointing performances from “The Flash” and “Elemental,” according to THR.
Big Number: 21%
The summer box office season, spanning from the first Friday in May through Labor Day, has accumulated $847.8 million, representing about 21% of last summer’s total box office earnings of $4.03 billion, according to Box Office Mojo.
Surprising Fact
The highest-grossing opening weekends of the year have all been for sequels. “Inside Out 2” leads with $155 million, surpassing “Dune: Part Two” ($82.5 million). Other notable sequels include “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” ($80 million), “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” ($58.4 million), and “Kung Fu Panda 4” ($57.9 million).
Key Background
The original “Inside Out,” released in 2015, is set inside the mind of 11-year-old Riley, focusing on her primary emotions: Joy (Amy Poehler), Disgust (Mindy Kaling), Fear (Bill Hader), Anger (Lewis Black), and Sadness (Phyllis Smith). The film, which follows Riley’s emotional struggles after moving to San Francisco, was acclaimed for its psychological insight and creativity, earning a 98% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The sequel introduces new emotions as Riley turns 13, with Anxiety (Maya Hawke), Envy (Ayo Edebiri), Ennui (Adèle Exarchopoulos), and Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser) joining the mix. “Inside Out 2” has received a 92% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
You Might Be Interested In:
