Disney+ Hits High with Inside Out 2: 30.5M

Imagine a world where innovative ideas and strategic planning work perfectly, painting the perfect picture of ‘if you build, they will come.’ Well, that’s precisely what happened at Disney+. Riding on the high waves of success, Inside Out 2 garnered a staggering 30.5 million global views in its first five days.

Clocking in as the #1 film premiere on Disney+ in 2024, it’s quite a feat. Not to mention, it’s the top cinematic debut since the release of Disney’s Encanto in December 2021. Astoundingly, it also clinched the title of the all-time #1 film premiere across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.

Nostalgia for the Original Inside Out

In a surprising side effect, the sequel caused a spike in viewership for the original Inside Out. The nostalgic wave was likely sparked by the record-breaking teaser for Inside Out 2, which is sitting at a whopping 62 million views on Pixar’s YouTube channel. Following the trailer’s premiere, Inside Out (2015) saw a massive increase in views on Disney+, reaching 121 million globally.

Record-Breaking Weekend

Disney handed over the data to Samba TV for a deeper look. Their findings? Over the first five days, Inside Out 2 was viewed in 1.7 million households on Disney+. Samba TV stopped reporting on Marvel and Star Wars shows on the platform, making this all the more interesting. And the film didn’t just kill it on the streaming service; it shattered box office records by earning $1.69 billion.

Staggering Success Continues

The animation didn’t stop there, experiencing an awe-inspiring second weekend. It reached the $1 billion mark in just 19 days. This speed is unmatched, even by the myriad other animated blockbusters that cast a long shadow over the cinematic landscape. Currently, Inside Out 2 bags the title of the highest-grossing movie of 2024. Not only that, but it’s also the only animated movie to cross the whopping figure of $1 billion internationally, at $1.037B.

Certifications and Reviews

Critics and viewers alike sung high praises for the blockbuster. It secured a Certified Fresh status on Rotten Tomatoes with a 90% score and received an “A” CinemaScore. June on top of an impressive Rotten Tomatoes audience score of 95%.

New Emotions Layered in Fun and Humor

Inside Out 2, a coming-of-age comedy, unfolds inside the mind of young teenager, Riley. She’s voiced by Kensington Tallman, and her “Headquarters” faces demolition to make room for new Emotions. The uncertainties of Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Anger (Lewis Black), Fear (Tony Hale), and Disgust (Liza Lapira) take a spin when Anxiety (Maya Hawke), Envy (Ayo Adebiri), Ennui (Adèle Exarchopoulos), and Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser) enter the scene.

Behind the Scenes

Kelsey Mann directed Inside Out 2, with Mark Nielsen at the production helm. Notably, industry veterans Pete Docter, Jonas Rivera, and Dan Scanlon carried out the executive production. The screenplay is credited to Meg LeFauve and Dave Holstein. They penned it from a story by Mann and LeFauve. Rounding out this impressive ensemble is Andrea Datzman, who composed the film’s music.