‘Inside Out 2’ scores $155 million debut at North American box office; becomes highest-earning animated film with $295 million global collection

The coming-of-age animated film ‘Inside Out 2‘ was off to a record-breaking start at the North American box office, as it stormed to the top, amassing an impressive $155 million during its debut weekend.
The animated sequel, which delves into the trials and tribulations of teenage life, secured its place as the second-highest opening weekend in Pixar’s nearly 29-year history, trailing only behind the $182.7 million debut of ‘Incredibles 2’ in 2018.It is also the second-largest animated opening ever and the biggest of 2024, a year that had yet to see any film surpass the $100 million mark on its opening weekend.
The film’s success extended beyond North America, with international box office earnings reaching $140 million. This feat surpassed ‘Frozen 2’ which earned an estimated $135 million and claimed the title of the largest overseas animated opening of all time. The movie resonated particularly well in Latin America, securing the second-biggest opening ever in the region, just behind Disney’s ‘Avengers: Endgame’.

Globally, ‘Inside Out 2’ achieved a record-breaking $295 million, marking the biggest animated debut worldwide.
This remarkable opening weekend saw ‘Inside Out 2’ eclipse other 2024 releases such as ‘Dune: Part Two’ which earned $82.5 million and ‘Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire’ which earned $80 million. It also became the first film to debut above $100 million since last July’s ‘Barbie’ which earned $162 million.

Pre-release projections had estimated the sequel would bring in $80 million to $90 million, making its actual performance all the more impressive.
The original ‘Inside Out’, released in 2015, was a critical and commercial success, earning a lifetime domestic collection of $356 million in North America and $858.8 million globally, along with an Academy Award.
The success of ‘Inside Out 2’ is a significant milestone for Pixar, signalling a return to form following a series of underwhelming releases, including ‘Elemental’ and ‘Lightyear’. This triumph is also a boost for the Hollywood box office, which had been experiencing a downturn prior to this weekend.
The film premiered with a strong start, earning $13 million from Thursday preview showings and dominating theatres with extensive screenings across 400 IMAX screens, over 900 premium large format screens, and more than 2,500 3D screens.
Directed by Kelsey Mann, ‘Inside Out 2’ follows Riley as she navigates the complexities of adolescence at 13, introducing new emotions like Anxiety (voiced by Maya Hawke), Ennui (Adèle Exarchopoulos), Envy (Ayo Edebiri), and Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser). Amy Poehler reprises her role as Joy, joined by Tony Hale, Lewis Black, and Phyllis Smith as Sadness. The film has received glowing reviews from critics, boasting a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and an A CinemaScore from audiences, indicating a strong and sustained box office presence.
The film was produced at an estimated cost of $200 million, excluding marketing expenses. Pre-release tracking had suggested a $90 million opening, aligning with the original’s debut in 2015.
With its stellar opening and positive reception, ‘Inside Out 2’ is poised for continued success, especially with a relatively open market until the release of ‘Despicable Me 4’ over the Fourth of July weekend.