Disney and Pixar’s latest animated film, “Inside Out 2,” has scored the biggest box office previews of 2024, grossing $13 million domestically and $22.3 million internationally. The family-friendly sequel is projected to make between $80 million and $90 million in its opening weekend. This performance could give it the biggest opening of the year, surpassing hits like “Dune: Part Two” and “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.”
In terms of box office previews, “Inside Out 2” outperformed last year’s “The Little Mermaid,” “Minions: The Rise of Gru,” and “Toy Story 4.” However, it fell short of recent animated superhero sequels like “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” and “Incredibles 2.” The film did particularly well in Mexico and Argentina, setting records for animated opening days in both countries. It is also set to open in various other international markets after its initial release weekend.
The original “Inside Out,” released in 2015, opened to $90.5 million domestically and went on to gross $356 million in North America and $858.8 million globally. With a budget of $200 million, “Inside Out 2” is expected to reach similar heights. The new film is seen as breaking the recent streak of Pixar’s underperforming openings, with recent releases like “Elemental” and “Lightyear” not meeting expectations.
Returning characters in “Inside Out 2” include Riley and her anthropomorphized emotions such as Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust. The sequel introduces new emotions like Anxiety, Envy, and Embarrassment as Riley navigates through puberty. With a star-studded voice cast including Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Lewis Black, Tony Hale, and more, the film is expected to resonate with audiences worldwide.
Meanwhile, last week’s box office champion, Sony’s “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” is looking to add around $28 million in its second weekend. With more than $125 million worldwide, the four-film franchise nears the $1 billion mark.
