Pixar’s Inside Out 2 has taken the summer box office by storm, raking in $295 million worldwide in its debut weekend, making it the biggest theatrical debut in 2024. The film is expected to reach a whopping $600 million by the end of its second weekend, with projections estimating it could even surpass $610 million. This success marks Pixar’s first blockbuster hit since Toy Story 4 in 2019, following a string of underperformers and misfires in the past few years due to the Covid pandemic era and day-and-date streaming releases.
The original Inside Out opened to $90 million domestically, while its sequel’s debut weekend reached $155 million in North America, surpassing the first film by nearly 30% when adjusted for inflation. Despite some recent disappointments from Pixar, including their most recent release, Lightyear, Inside Out 2 seems to have captured the magic and joyous storytelling that the studio is known for. The film’s success has brought much-needed enthusiasm to the summer box office, which has seen a series of underwhelming releases.
As the summer season continues, Inside Out 2, along with films like Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and Bad Boys: Ride or Die, are keeping the box office afloat. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes has shown impressive weekly holds, while Bad Boys: Ride or Die is on track to surpass $300 million, adding to Will Smith’s already impressive box office tally. Additionally, the highly anticipated Marvel film Deadpool & Wolverine is expected to make a splash at the box office with a $1 billion worldwide run.
Looking ahead, Pixar’s upcoming projects, including Elio and Toy Story 5, will be crucial in determining whether the studio is back on track after a series of setbacks. The trailer for Elio has been well-received, but it remains to be seen how it will perform compared to Inside Out or Onward. Toy Story 5, on the other hand, is anticipated to be another box office success. Despite upcoming competition from films like A Quiet Place: Day One and Despicable Me 4, Inside Out 2 is expected to continue its strong performance with solid holds in the coming weeks.
If Inside Out 2 surpasses $600 million by a significant margin, it could potentially become the first film of 2024 to reach $1 billion. This success would be a significant milestone for Pixar, indicating a return to form after a period of uncertainty. With the film industry still navigating the challenges of the pandemic era, Inside Out 2’s triumph at the box office serves as a beacon of hope for both studios and audiences alike.
