Inside Out 2 has not only become the highest-grossing Pixar movie ever but also the most successful animated film in cinema history, reaching new heights in its global appeal. After ten weeks in theatres, the film surpassed another significant milestone, positioning itself among the top ten highest-grossing films of all time globally. This achievement places it ahead of the year’s second top earner, Deadpool & Wolverine, further solidifying its dominance in 2024.
According to Variety, Inside Out 2 has now grossed over US$1 billion internationally, becoming the first animated film to achieve this feat. It joins a select group of 12 movies that have crossed the billion-dollar mark from international revenues alone. Notably, Disney’s 2019 The Lion King, though often categorized as live-action due to its realistic CGI, had previously earned US$1.1 billion overseas. Hence, Inside Out 2 stands as the sole traditional animated feature in this prestigious category.
The film’s production budget was reported at US$200 million, typical for Pixar’s high standards, despite recent cutbacks in spending by other studios on animated features. This release marks a significant comeback for Pixar, which had faced a series of underperformances and direct-to-streaming releases in recent years. The studio’s return to box office prominence is also a promising sign for the industry, particularly for animated films.
Looking forward, Disney has a robust lineup of sequels slated for release. Moana 2, set for November 2024, follows in the footsteps of Inside Out 2 as a sequel to a beloved mid-2010s animation, likely to draw families back to theaters with its new soundtrack. The 2025 release of Zootopia 2 is anticipated to surpass its predecessor’s billion-dollar global take, given the original’s box office success. Toy Story 5 is expected in 2026, continuing a franchise that has historically performed well, with past releases also breaching the billion-dollar threshold.
Disney’s momentum seems poised to continue into 2027 with Frozen III, capitalizing on the ongoing popularity of the Elsa and Anna saga. Competitors like DreamWorks and Illumination are also preparing major releases, including Super Mario Bros. Movie 2 and Shrek 5, both scheduled for 2026. These titles suggest a competitive future for animated blockbusters, but for now, Inside Out 2 remains the reigning champion at the box office, setting high standards for future projects.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, games, and comics — you name it. When she’s not reading or geeking out about the latest shows on Netflix, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of meeting her idols.
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