“Inside Out 2” Sets Box Office Records, Nears $1 Billion

Disney-Pixar’s animated sequel “Inside Out 2” is currently on a record-breaking streak, outpacing its predecessor and setting its sights on the $1 billion mark, potentially becoming the fastest animated film to achieve this milestone. The film continues to captivate audiences with its compelling story and stunning animation, maintaining a strong momentum at the box office.

As of Thursday, “Inside Out 2” has grossed $863 million worldwide, surpassing the original “Inside Out,” which made $858 million in 2015. This significant achievement positions “Inside Out 2” as the ninth highest-grossing animated film of all time domestically, with $411 million in earnings, overtaking “Frozen” (2013). The sequel’s rapid ascent in the box office rankings underscores its widespread appeal and the effectiveness of its marketing campaign.

Remarkably, “Inside Out 2” accomplished this feat just 16 days after its release, quickly outgrossing the original film’s theatrical run, which spanned over three months nine years ago. The sequel’s impressive performance in such a short time highlights its strong reception and the enthusiastic response from audiences worldwide. Projections indicate that the film could surpass $900 million once Friday’s box office numbers are tallied, further solidifying its status as a box office juggernaut.

The big question now is whether “Inside Out 2” will hit the billion-dollar mark this weekend. If it does, it will set a new record as the fastest animated film to reach this milestone. Industry analysts are closely watching the film’s performance, and many are optimistic about its chances given its current trajectory. Achieving this milestone would be a testament to the film’s broad appeal and the strong brand loyalty that Disney-Pixar commands.

Throughout its two-week box office run, “Inside Out 2” has shattered numerous records. Its exceptional opening weekend grossed $155 million domestically, far exceeding projections of $90 million, and another $140 million internationally. This opening performance not only outperformed “Dune: Part Two,” making it the biggest opening of 2024 so far, but it also had the second-best domestic opening for an animated film after “The Incredibles 2” and the best worldwide opening for an animated film, surpassing “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.” Additionally, “Inside Out 2” is the first movie to open with over $100 million since “Barbie,” highlighting a strong performance in a challenging year for theaters. The sequel also had the best second weekend for an animated movie and the seventh-best second weekend for any film, surpassing the second weekends of both “Barbie” and “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.”

On Thursday, “Inside Out 2” grossed $11.2 million domestically, outpacing previews for new releases “A Quiet Place: Day One” and “Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1.” “A Quiet Place: Day One” grossed $6.8 million, setting it up for a potential $50 million opening weekend, while “Horizon” fell short of expectations with $800,000, indicating a slower start. The strong weekday performance of “Inside Out 2” demonstrates its continued drawing power and the sustained interest from moviegoers, contributing to its record-breaking run.