“Inside Out 2,” Pixar’s highly anticipated sequel, continues to dominate the box office in its second weekend, shattering records and cementing its position as 2024’s highest-grossing film to date. The animated feature collected an estimated $100 million in its sophomore frame, setting a new benchmark for animated films in their second weekend.
This impressive performance brings the film’s domestic total to $355.2 million and its global haul to $724.4 million in just 10 days since its release. These figures have already surpassed the $711.8 million worldwide total of “Dune: Part Two,” making “Inside Out 2” the top-grossing film of 2024 thus far.
The sequel’s success is particularly noteworthy given the recent slump in the movie industry, where ticket sales had been about 40% below pre-pandemic levels before its release. “Inside Out 2” now stands as the first film to open above $100 million since “Barbie” last summer, injecting much-needed vitality into the box office.
The film’s second-weekend performance of $100 million is not only a record for animated movies but also places it as the seventh-best second weekend for any film ever. It outpaced notable releases like “Barbie” ($93 million) and “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” ($92 million), though it fell short of juggernauts like “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” ($149 million) and “Avengers: Endgame” ($147 million).
Critics have also embraced the film, with “Inside Out 2” boasting a 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes. This combination of critical acclaim and commercial success positions the movie for a potential billion-dollar run, which would make it the first film to reach this milestone since “Barbie.”
The success of “Inside Out 2” is particularly crucial for Pixar, which had been experimenting with direct-to-streaming releases in recent years. This blockbuster performance may influence the studio’s future strategies, potentially steering them toward more sequels. The upcoming “Toy Story 5,” scheduled for 2026, could benefit from this renewed focus on theatrical releases.
While “Inside Out 2” dominated the box office, other films also performed well. “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” held strong in its third week with $18.8 million, while newcomer “The Bikeriders” opened with a solid $10 million.
As the summer box office season progresses, “Inside Out 2” has set a high bar for upcoming releases. The industry will be watching closely to see if the film’s success can boost overall ticket sales, which are projected to reach $8 billion for the year, with the summer season expected to contribute about 38% of that total.