‘Inside Out 2’ Crushes Box Office and Enters the Billion-Dollar Club

Disney and Pixar’s emotional sequel “Inside Out 2” has become a box office powerhouse, surpassing the coveted $1 billion mark globally. This milestone achievement makes “Inside Out 2” the highest-grossing film of 2024 and the first film since Warner Bros.’ “Barbie” to reach this level of success.

A Much-Needed Win for Pixar Animation

The billion-dollar mark holds significant weight for Pixar, a studio that has seen box office struggles in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This slump was partly due to Disney’s decision to release some animated features directly on Disney+ during cinema closures and even after reopening.

As a result, no Pixar or Walt Disney Animation film had surpassed $480 million globally since 2019, prior to “Inside Out 2.”

The Return of the Family Audience

“Inside Out 2” highlights the critical role family audiences play in the box office. Data from EntTelligence reveals that over 70% of the film’s domestic debut audience belonged to this demographic. While Universal’s “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” catered well to families, there was a dearth of options until recent releases like Sony’s “The Garfield Movie” and Paramount’s “IF.”

“Inside Out 2” also successfully attracted teenagers to theaters, with 14% of ticket sales coming from the 13-17 age group. This younger audience segment has been largely absent from cinemas in recent years. Re-engaging them is a top priority for studios and theater operators, as they represent the future of moviegoing.

Looking Ahead: A Summer Filled with Family Fun

The box office looks promising for families and teens with the upcoming release of Universal and Illumination’s “Despicable Me 4” during the July Fourth holiday weekend. “Inside Out 2” sets a positive precedent for future releases, demonstrating the enduring power of well-crafted animated films to bring audiences of all ages back to the big screen experience.