Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” Delivers a Joyful $155 Million Opening Weekend, Boosting the Summer Box Office

Pixar and Disney made a triumphant return to the box office with the release of “Inside Out 2.” The film debuted with an estimated $155 million domestically, making it the second-highest theatrical opening for an animated film. This achievement is especially significant as it is the first film since Warner Bros.’ “Barbie” to surpass $100 million during its debut.

It’s important to note that Disney does not consider its 2019 live-action remake of “The Lion King” as an animated film, even though it generated $191.7 million during its opening weekend. “Inside Out 2” is also expected to perform well globally, with projections of $295 million in ticket sales for the weekend.

This success comes as a relief for Disney and Pixar, as both studios have struggled to regain their footing at the box office after the easing of pandemic restrictions. In an effort to cater to audiences who were more inclined to watch new releases on streaming platforms, Disney had chosen to debut several animated features directly on Disney+. However, this move inadvertently trained parents to seek out new Disney titles on streaming rather than in theaters, even when cinemas reopened.

Furthermore, some audience members felt that Disney’s content had become overly existential and too focused on social issues beyond the comprehension of children. This perception may have contributed to a decline in interest in Disney films.

Shawn Robbins, founder and owner of Box Office Theory, sees the success of “Inside Out 2” as a breath of fresh air amidst the industry’s recent struggles. The film is now the fifth Pixar feature to surpass $100 million during its debut in North America, coming second only to 2018’s “The Incredibles 2.” Approximately 12 million people flocked to cinemas to watch the film, indicating a strong resurgence in theater attendance.

Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore, acknowledges that this is a significant win for both theaters and Pixar. The theatrical industry has faced numerous challenges this year, including production shutdowns and a labor strike that closed movie sets for several months. As a result, ticket sales have declined by 26% compared to 2023 and 42% compared to 2019 levels.

The absence of a Marvel Cinematic Universe title from this year’s early summer slate has also had an impact on the box office. Marvel films typically generate impressive opening weekend figures, with “Avengers: Endgame” reaching a record-breaking $357.1 million in 2019. However, this year’s opening was relatively subdued, with Universal’s “The Fall Guy” only earning $28 million.

The lack of blockbuster releases and a reduced number of films could potentially result in an $800 million decrease in the summer box office compared to 2023. This decline could have ripple effects for the entire year since the summer period traditionally accounts for 40% of the total annual domestic box office.

Despite these challenges, “Inside Out 2” provides a glimmer of hope for the industry. It currently holds the title for the biggest domestic debut of 2024, surpassing “Dune: Part Two.” While this performance does not eliminate concerns about evolving consumer behavior, it does indicate that Disney and Pixar still possess their commercial gravitas.

Looking ahead, there are several highly anticipated films set to close out the summer and the rest of the year. Marvel’s first R-rated feature, “Deadpool and Wolverine,” is due to hit theaters in July and is expected to deliver a strong opening weekend and steady ticket sales throughout its run. Other notable releases include “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” “Joker: Folie a Deux,” “Venom: The Last Dance,” “Gladiator II,” “Moana 2,” “Wicked,” “Kraven the Hunter,” “Sonic the Hedgehog 3,” and “Mufasa: The Lion King.”

Overall, the success of “Inside Out 2” signifies a promising comeback for Disney, Pixar, and the summer box office. While challenges remain, the industry can look forward to a lineup of exciting films that have the potential to reignite audience interest and boost ticket sales.