The summer of 2024 has seen its fair share of ups and downs at the box office, but one film has undeniably risen above the rest: Pixar's “Inside Out 2.” Directed by Kelsey Mann, this animated masterpiece has not only captivated audiences worldwide but also shattered multiple box office records, making it a standout hit of the year.
Released in June, “Inside Out 2” quickly established itself as a force to be reckoned with. In its second Friday-to-Sunday stretch, the film earned over $100 million, a feat not seen since the pandemic began. With only a modest 34 percent drop in ticket sales the following weekend, it continued to rake in the dollars, adding approximately $57.4 million domestically, bringing its total earnings in the United States and Canada to an impressive $469.3 million.
Comparing it to previous Pixar hits, “Inside Out 2” has already surpassed the domestic totals of “Toy Story 4” ($434 million) and is on the verge of overtaking “Finding Dory” ($486.3 million). It's only a matter of time before it challenges “Incredibles 2” ($608.6 million) for the top spot among Pixar's biggest domestic earners.
Globally, the success story is even more remarkable. “Inside Out 2” has become the fastest animated movie to reach the billion-dollar mark, achieving this milestone in just 19 days. For context, “The Super Mario Bros Movie” took 26 days to hit the same mark in 2023. This achievement positions “Inside Out 2” as the highest-grossing movie of the year, outpacing heavyweights like Denis Villeneuve's “Dune: Part 2,” which earned $710.9 million.
| TITLE | WEEKEND GROSS | DOMESTIC GROSS | LW | THTRS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Inside Out 2 | $57,400,000 | $469,306,043 | 1 | 4,440 |
| 2. A Quiet Place: Day One | $53,000,000 | $53,000,000 | N/A | 3,708 |
| 3. Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1 | $11,000,000 | $11,000,000 | N/A | 3,334 |
| 4. Bad Boys: Ride Or Die | $10,335,000 | $165,250,000 | 2 | 3,312 |
| 5. The Bikeriders | $3,300,000 | $16,205,000 | 3 | 2,692 |
| 6. The Garfield Movie | $2,000,000 | $89,640,000 | 5 | 1,762 |
| 7. Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes | $1,700,000 | $168,076,566 | 4 | 1,650 |
| 8. Kinds Of Kindness | $1,500,000 | $2,012,762 | 13 | 490 |
| 9. IF | $1,340,000 | $109,692,000 | 6 | 1,252 |
| 10. Thelma | $1,320,000 | $5,107,667 | 8 | 1,220 |
The film's success can be attributed to its compelling storytelling, stellar voice cast, and the emotional depth that resonates with audiences of all ages. Featuring the voices of Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, and Bill Hader, among others, “Inside Out 2” continues the legacy of its predecessor, delivering a poignant and entertaining cinematic experience.
As we look ahead, the box office landscape is set to be exciting, with potential contenders like “Deadpool & Wolverine,” “Moana 2,” and “Wicked” poised to make their mark. However, the bar has been set high by “Inside Out 2,” and its record-breaking journey is one for the history books.
