“Inside Out 2” Dominates Box Office with $155 Million Opening Weekend

Pixar’s animated film “Inside Out 2” has made a significant impact at the box office, generating an estimated $155 million in ticket sales across the U.S. and Canada over the weekend. This impressive Friday-through-Sunday tally surpasses the $82.5 million opening of “Dune: Part Two” in March.

Walt Disney, the parent company of Pixar, reported that the movie has brought in a global total of $295 million through Sunday, with substantial contributions from international markets. This success comes as a much-needed boost for theater owners, who have been grappling with a reduced number of movie releases due to the strikes in Hollywood last year that caused significant delays.

Despite the strong performance of “Inside Out 2,” total domestic ticket sales through Sunday are still trailing by 24% compared to the same period in 2023, according to Comscore. The recent performance contrasts with Pixar’s last two releases, “Elemental” and “Lightyear,” which saw only moderate ticket sales. Additionally, three prior Pixar films were released directly to streaming during the COVID-19 pandemic, impacting box office revenues.

“Inside Out 2” is the much-anticipated sequel to the 2015 hit that delved into the inner workings of a young girl’s mind. In this new installment, the lead character Riley is now a teenager dealing with a host of new emotions, including anxiety and envy. The original “Inside Out” opened with approximately $90 million during its first weekend in the summer of 2015.

The robust opening of “Inside Out 2” highlights the enduring appeal of Pixar’s storytelling and the continued interest in the characters and emotional themes introduced in the first film. As Riley navigates the complex landscape of adolescence, audiences are once again invited into a vivid, imaginative portrayal of human emotions, brought to life through Pixar’s renowned animation and narrative expertise.

This successful debut underscores the potential for animated features to draw significant crowds back to theaters, even amidst a year marked by production and release challenges. The positive reception of “Inside Out 2” may also signal a turning point for the animation studio, encouraging a resurgence of interest in theatrical releases after a period of direct-to-streaming debuts.

As “Inside Out 2” continues its run in theaters, it is poised to further bolster box office numbers and reaffirm Pixar’s position as a leading force in the world of animated cinema. The film’s ability to resonate with both young and older audiences alike ensures its place as a significant player in this year’s cinematic landscape.

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