Disney and Pixar are celebrating a major triumph with their new movie, "Inside Out 2." The sequel has just surpassed "Frozen 2" to become the highest-grossing animated film ever. The movie has already earned an impressive $1.46 billion worldwide, setting a new record and bringing a much-needed boost to the film industry.
Released last month, "Inside Out 2" achieved the remarkable feat of crossing the $1 billion mark just 19 days after hitting theatres. This is the fastest any animated film has ever reached that milestone. The film continues to perform strongly, currently in its sixth week in theatres and standing as the 13th highest-grossing movie of all time.
The success of "Inside Out 2" is making waves around the globe. According to Daniel Loria, editorial director at Box Office Pro, the movie has been breaking records in various regions, including Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. It’s already set new records in countries such as Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, and Uruguay. Loria expects the film to achieve even greater numbers as it prepares to debut in Japan, following its successful run in Asia and the Pacific, where it made $84 million in just 12 days.
The film's success comes as a welcome relief to the movie industry, which had a slow start to the summer season. The film has breathed new life into the global box office, similar to how last summer’s "Barbenheimer" phenomenon energized the industry. Paul Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst at Comscore, notes that "Inside Out 2" has been crucial in turning around the mood in the industry, which had been struggling with a lacklustre summer movie season.
In contrast, last summer saw huge successes with "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer," which together brought nearly a billion dollars to the domestic box office. So far, 2024 has yet to see a similar box-office hit combination, making "Inside Out 2" a significant standout.
The film’s record-breaking performance highlights a positive shift for movie theatres and the broader entertainment industry, offering a ray of hope as it navigates the ongoing effects of past challenges, including industry strikes and a sluggish start to the year.