In 2015, Pixar’s Inside Out introduced viewers to the inner life of a young girl named Riley Anderson as embodied by her emotions: Joy, Sadness, Fear, Anger, and Disgust. It was a massive hit with audiences and critics alike, and earned $858.8 million worldwide. Nine years later, Pixar is in bad need of another hit, especially since the studio’s last blockbuster was Toy Story 4 in 2019.
For the sequel, Amy Poehler is reprising her voice role as Joy, with Phyllis Smith as Sadness, Lewis Black as Anger, Diane Lane as Mrs. Anderson, and Kyle MacLachlan as Mr. Anderson. Tony Hale and Liza Lapira are stepping into the roles of Fear and Disgust, respectively replacing Bill Hader and Mindy Kaling. New cast members include Ayo Edebiri as Envy, Adèle Exarchopoulos as Ennui, Paul Walter Hauser as Embarrassment, and Kensington Tallman as Riley, who was previously voiced by Kaitlyn Dias.
Disney’s recent strategy of releasing Pixar films directly to Disney+ without a theatrical release has contributed to the studio’s box office struggles. However, last year’s Pixar release, Elemental, proved to have legs at the box office and became a solid performer. Inside Out 2 is expected to build on that momentum and exceed expectations.
The latest projections have Inside Out 2 making an $85 million debut, which would give it the biggest opening of 2024. If the film can meet or exceed that number, then it would go a long way toward reversing Pixar’s fortunes. The film is expected to have a strong theatrical run before making its streaming debut on Disney+ later this year, likely in September or October. The streaming release will further boost the film’s reach and ensure its status as a blockbuster hit.
