Disney’s highly anticipated sequel, “Inside Out 2,” is set to make a big splash at the box office, with projections indicating an opening weekend gross of between $80 million and $85 million in the domestic market. This would mark a significant turnaround for Disney’s animated films, which have faced a string of disappointments in recent years, including underperforming titles like “Wish,” “Elemental,” and “Lightyear.”
The success of “Inside Out 2” would be a welcome relief for Disney, especially after the lackluster performance of recent animated releases like “Strange World,” “Lightyear,” and “Encanto.” The film is expected to outshine Pixar’s last effort, “Elemental,” which opened to just $29.6 million in 2023. Additionally, the projected opening for “Inside Out 2” would be the best for a Disney animated film since “Frozen II” in 2019, which opened with $130 million.
Despite Disney’s recent struggles at the box office, the success of “Inside Out 2” could help reinvigorate the company’s animated film division. CEO Bob Iger has acknowledged the company’s box office challenges, citing a loss of focus on quality over quantity. The film industry as a whole has faced difficulties in recent years, with box office sales remaining below pre-Covid levels, partially due to the increasing popularity of streaming services.
If “Inside Out 2” hits the upper end of its projected opening, it could become the highest-grossing opening weekend of the year so far, surpassing “Dune: Part Two,” which grossed $82.5 million in its opening weekend earlier in the year. This achievement would be significant, considering that no film in 2024 has yet crossed the $100 million mark in its domestic opening.
The original “Inside Out,” released in 2015, was a massive success, grossing nearly $860 million worldwide. It opened with $90 million in its domestic opening weekend, setting a high bar for its sequel. With the anticipation building for “Inside Out 2,” Disney is hoping to recapture the magic of the first film and continue its legacy of delivering beloved animated classics to audiences of all ages.
As Disney gears up for the release of “Inside Out 2” on June 14, all eyes will be on the box office to see if the film can live up to its lofty expectations. The projected opening weekend numbers suggest a strong start for the sequel, potentially signaling a turning point for Disney’s animated films and setting the stage for a successful summer at the box office.
