Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” Set to Make Box Office History with $85 Million Opening

Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” is set to make a splash at the box office, with expectations of an opening weekend surpassing $85 million. Some even predict that the film could earn over $100 million in ticket sales, a feat not seen since Warner Bros.’ “Barbie” in July 2023. The film has already brought in $13 million from Thursday night preview showings, surpassing the preview earnings of “Toy Story 4” in 2019.

This success is a much-needed boost for Pixar, which has struggled to regain its footing at the box office due to the pandemic. Disney’s confidence in “Inside Out 2” is evident in its decision to give the film a 100-day theatrical run, a rarity for animated features and non-blockbuster action films in today’s industry.

The pandemic has forced studios to rethink the traditional theatrical release window. Before the pandemic, the standard was a 90-day window, but now studios have negotiated their own deals with cinema chains. Universal and Focus Features, for example, agreed on a minimum of three weekends or 17 days in cinemas before films could move to premium video on-demand platforms. The pandemic accelerated the shift towards shorter windows, as studios realized they could save on marketing expenses by releasing films earlier on streaming platforms.

The average run of a widely released film in 2024 has been 29 days, compared to 39 days in the previous year. However, this figure is expected to increase as bigger blockbuster titles are released in the summer. Each major Hollywood studio has its own average theatrical window, with Disney’s being 62 days.

While shorter exclusivity and lower ticket sales may be concerning for theater chains, studios argue that a sufficient window is necessary to maximize the promotional and financial benefits of a film’s theatrical release. Cinemark’s CEO, Sean Gamble, emphasizes the importance of delivering a film’s full value across all distribution channels, including streaming.

Disney learned this lesson during the pandemic when it released several animated features directly on its streaming service, Disney+. This led to a decline in box office performance for Pixar and Walt Disney Animation films, as audiences became accustomed to watching new Disney titles on streaming platforms. No Disney animated feature has grossed more than $480 million globally since 2019, compared to previous successes like “Coco” with $796 million and “Incredibles 2” with $1.24 billion.

The success of “Inside Out 2” will be a crucial indicator of Pixar’s future. If the film performs well and captures audience attention, it could help rebuild trust and interest in Pixar’s animated offerings. The film’s 100-day theatrical window is significant, as it signals to audiences that it is a must-see on the big screen. Once the window is up, it will go to Disney+ for subscribers to watch for free, without an intermediate rental option.

In conclusion, the success of “Inside Out 2” is not only vital for Disney and Pixar but also indicative of the changing landscape of theatrical release windows in the film industry. Studios are finding ways to adapt and optimize their marketing strategies by shortening the exclusivity period and focusing on maximizing the promotional benefits of a film’s theatrical release. However, a balance must be struck to ensure the continued success of both theaters and studios.