In a significant turn of events, Disney’s latest animated film, “Inside Out 2,” has surpassed expectations and set a new record at the summer box office. The movie became the first film of 2024 to reach $100 million in domestic sales during its opening weekend, with Comscore estimates projecting a $155 million total weekend gross.
According to Comscore and Disney, “Inside Out 2” now holds the title of the second-highest domestic animated three-day opening, trailing behind 2018’s “Incredibles 2” by less than $30 million. It also outperformed “Dune: Part 2” as the highest-grossing opening of 2024 so far, a remarkable achievement for the studio.
Industry experts are calling this weekend a turning point for both Disney and the overall domestic box office, following a lackluster start to the summer season. Shawn Robbins, founder of Box Office Theory, hailed this opening weekend as a “well-earned victory lap for Disney, Pixar, and movie theaters.”
With recent production delays and underperforming Marvel releases, Disney’s success with “Inside Out 2” signals a potential rebound for the studio. The upcoming release of “Deadpool & Wolverine” is also expected to reignite audience enthusiasm after previous Marvel disappointments.
Despite a 28% decrease in domestic box office totals since the beginning of May compared to last year, senior analyst Paul Dergarabedian sees “Inside Out 2” as a major turning point for theaters. He emphasized the positive impact of a single overperforming film on the entire industry and highlighted the potential benefits for rival studios with upcoming summer releases.
Overall, the success of “Inside Out 2” represents a promising future for Pixar, movie theaters, and the broader film industry. As audiences flock to theaters for this animated hit, the momentum generated by the film is expected to benefit other family-friendly releases, creating a positive outlook for the remainder of the summer movie season.
