Summary
- Inside Out 2 poised to replace Toy Story franchise as Pixar's new golden child with potential for multiple sequels.
- Inside Out's critical acclaim and profit potential make it a strong contender for Pixar's next big hit.
- Just like Toy Story, Inside Out explores timeless themes of growing up and emotion in an entertaining and relatable way.
The Toy Story franchise has been Pixar's golden child for years, but Inside Out 2 could see Woody and Buzz officially replaced. The toys of Andy's bedroom have come a long way over the years, and each installment in the franchise has brought Pixar new levels of success. However, this can't go on forever, and with Toy Story 5 expected to release in 2026, there's a good chance that this will be our final goodbye from these characters. However, Inside Out is gearing up to take its place.
Inside Out was released in 2015, and its booming success has inspired the 2024 sequel, Inside Out 2. The movie will return to the inside of Riley's head as her emotions adjust to puberty and the teen years, thus furthering the themes begun by the first movie. Based on the hype leading up to Inside Out 2's release, it's sure to be a hit, and there is already talk of several more movies to follow. If this were to happen, it would be well on its way to becoming the next Toy Story franchise.
Inside Out 2 Star Wants Sequels Exploring Riley's Whole Life
Inside Out 2 star Amy Poehler wants there to be more sequels that explore Riley's whole life, comparing the idea to a documentary series.
10 Inside Out's Premise Has Huge Potential For Sequels
The Toy Story Franchise Has Worked Because Of Its Longevity
Part of what made Toy Story so successful for Pixar over all these years is how it is perfectly equipped to get more sequels. The primary characters are toys, and the world of Toy Story plays off the idea that every child's bedroom comes to life when they aren't looking. So, while Woody and Buzz started in Andy's room, they moved on to other children. The story never has to end, and the same is true for Inside Out.
Riley was 11 in the first Inside Out movie, and Inside Out 2 will see her celebrate her 13th birthday. Naturally, this means a good deal will change inside her head, and anyone who has ever grown up knows that's only the start. Every stage in Riley's life could make for an Inside Out sequel, and even once she is grown up, the franchise could explore the inside of other characters' minds. Like Toy Story, the possibilities are endless.
9 The Original Inside Out Was A Big Box-Office Success
Inside Out 2 Has The Potential To Be Just As Profitable As Toy Story
Pixar has continued to make Toy Story movies because they have performed well at the box office. All four movies have been hits, with each reliably setting the bar a little higher. The first Toy Story managed an impressive $394.4 million at the global box office in 1995, but this is nothing compared to the $1.073 billion brought in by Toy Story 4 in 2019. Though Inside Out hasn't had enough installments to compare, it's well on its way already.
Global Gross Box Office For The Toy Story Franchise |
||
|---|---|---|
Movie |
Release Date |
Box Office |
Toy Story |
November 22, 1995 |
$394.4 million |
Toy Story 2 |
November 24, 1999 |
$511.4 million |
Toy Story 3 |
June 18, 2010 |
$1.067 billion |
Toy Story 4 |
June 21, 2019 |
$1.073 billion |
When Inside Out was released in 2015, it made $859 million at the global box office and was the second highest-grossing animated movie that year (with Illumination's Minions coming in ahead). Though this isn't quite as high as the performance from Toy Story 3 and Toy Story 4, it's highly likely that Inside Out 2 will the billion-dollar club. If the franchise can keep these numbers on an upward trajectory like Toy Story, the sky is the limit.
8 Inside Out Remains One Of Pixar's Most Critically Acclaimed Movies
Inside Out Earned a 98% Critic Score On Rotten Tomatoes
Box office numbers aren't the only important factor in a movie's success. Critics have a lot to do with whether a franchise lives to see another day, and Toy Story has continued to receive overwhelmingly positive reviews. Toy Story and T have impressive 100% scores on Rotten Tomatoes, making them tied for the top spot regarding Pixar's critical reception. Of course, Inside Out did pretty well for itself in this regard.
Pixar's Top 7 Movies Based On Rotten Tomatoes Critics Scores |
||
|---|---|---|
Rank |
Movie Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
1 |
Toy Story 2 |
100% |
2 |
Toy Story |
100% |
3 |
Finding Nemo |
99% |
4 |
Inside Out |
98% |
5 |
Toy Story 3 |
98% |
6 |
Up |
98% |
7 |
Toy Story 4 |
97% |
Inside Out is Pixar's fourth most critically acclaimed movie, according to Rotten Tomatoes, and that's a great starting point for the beginning of the series. The film was praised for its story, design, concept, characters, voice work, and much more, all features that can be included and made even better in Inside Out 2. If the 2024 sequel can also land a great Rotten Tomatoes score, then an Inside Out 3 is all but guaranteed.
7 The Toy Story Franchise Isn't Invulnerable After All
Toy Story Isn't Likely To Go On Forever
Inside Out may never be better than Toy Story, but it could take the franchise's place as Pixar's crowning glory, at least until the next big franchise comes along. As well as the Toy Story movies have done, the performance of Toy Story 4 proves that this franchise can't live forever, The movie was a box office hit, bringing in the most of any Pixar movie ever. It was also received well by critics and had an impressive 97% on Rotten Tomatoes - but it wasn't perfect.
The reception for Toy Story 4 was a step down from its predecessors, and Pixar's attempts to expand the franchise crashed and burned with Lightyear. The sci-fi film was supposed to be the in-universe movie that made Andy a Buzz Lightyear fan, and given Toy Story's success, it should have been a shoo-in. Unfortunately, it only made $226 million at the global box office and held a disappointing 74% on Rotten Tomatoes, proving that the franchise itself isn't bulletproof.
6 Inside Out 2 Has Broken Records With Its Trailer Alone
Inside Out 2's Trailer Is Disney's Biggest Launch Ever
If the interest in Inside Out 2's trailer is any indication, it could be Pixar's biggest movie yet—beating out even Toy Story. The first teaser for the movie was released in November 2023, and it quickly became Disney's biggest launch of all time, gaining 157 million views in only the first 24 hours. This dethroned Frozen 2's previous trailer record, and since this Disney sequel made $1.5 billion at the global box office, this seems to be a sign that Inside Out 2 will do well.
Inside Out 2 will release in theaters on June 14, 2024.
This sort of hype surrounding a movie release so far in advance shouldn't be ignored. It's a sign that Inside Out 2 will have a significant cultural impact, which, beyond box office and critical success, is precisely what companies like Pixar should aim for. The Toy Story franchise will hold its cult-classic status for generations, but it looks like Inside Out will be right by its side.
5 Inside Out Takes Toy Story's Themes A Step Further
Inside Out & Toy Story Are All About Growing Up
Part of what has made Toy Story stand the test of time is its themes about growing up. The toy characters are perfect reflections of Andy's growth, and their stories guide young audiences through the many changes in their lives. It's heartwarming and impactful but full of fun, color, and childlike silliness. Overall, this is precisely what Pixar stands for, and as its figurehead, it makes sense that Toy Story drives these themes home.
Toy Story 5 is expected to release on June 19, 2026.
Of course, Although different in concept, Inside Out contains many of these same themes. Riley is similar to Andy—her physical character isn't as heavily featured, but everything is about her in the long run. However, while Andy's toys reflect his inner growth, Inside Out dives straight into Riley's head, and this allows the idea of "growing up" to be explored without limitation. Since the primary characters are emotions themselves, the emotional impact is taken even further.
4 An Inside Out Franchise Would Benefit From Nostalgia
Riley Can Grow Up Alongside Audiences
Toy Story has managed to stay popular for so long because of nostalgia. As parents take their kids to see Toy Story 5 when it releases in 2026, they will watch and feel nostalgic for the original movie that came out when they were kids. Of course, nostalgia is taken even further than this in the franchise since characters like Andy have grown up right along with audiences, and the immortal toys' reaction to this pulls right at the heartstrings.
Inside Out 2 Star Wants Sequels Exploring Riley's Whole Life
Inside Out 2 star Amy Poehler wants there to be more sequels that explore Riley's whole life, comparing the idea to a documentary series.
Inside Out 2 will have the same benefit if it continues into other sequels. Riley will be 13 in the 2024 movie, but Inside Out 3 may feature a 16-year-old. Then, Inside Out 4 may follow Riley as she goes to college, while Inside Out 5 might follow her through multiple stages of her life. It's a concept with nostalgia built right in, and as young audiences grow up, they can watch Riley and her emotions grow with them. It's a powerful idea.
3 Inside Out's Story & Concept Are Timeless
Toys & Human Emotions Never Go Out Of Style
The longevity of Toy Story is due, in part, to its timelessness. No matter how much technology evolves and how different one generation's childhoods are from the next, toys are timeless. So, even if the first Toy Story movie's CGI is a little outdated, the concept is still something kids can enjoy today.
Inside Out itself is about Riley's emotions, and this will always be relevant, regardless of evolving technology or changing trends.
Inside Out is similar in this regard. Riley herself is obviously a modern kid, so the technology she uses in the movie may be obsolete in 20 years. However, the movie itself is about her emotions, and this will always be relevant, regardless of evolving technology or changing trends. So, just like Toy Story, it's unlikely that Inside Out will become irrelevant any time soon.
2 Inside Out's Strong Cast Is An Asset
Part Of Toy Story's Success Rested With Its Cast
Toy Story's excellent cast greatly contributed to the franchise's success. Tom Hanks and Tim Allen were big stars long before they took on the roles of Woody and Buzz, and their status in Hollywood meant that not only kids but adults were eager to see the movie. Of course, their star power has only grown, and the characters and actors will forever be associated with one another.
Inside Out also has a great cast that has contributed to the movie's success. Poehler is loved for her performances on Saturday Night Live and Parks & Recreation, and Phyllis Smith's voice was immediately recognizable from The Office. Bill Hader, Mindy Kaling, Lewis Black—they're all well-known in the realm of comedy. Though Inside Out 2 has had some recasts, its iconic cast can continue to carry it through.
1 Inside Out Is Entertaining & Relatable To Audiences Of All Ages
Audiences From 1 To 100 Can Enjoy Inside Out, Just As They Did Toy Story.
The good thing about a movie all about childhood is that anyone who might watch it has had one themselves. Everyone has been a kid, and it's for this reason that movies like Toy Story have been so successful. Parents aren't just reluctantly taking their kids to the movies since they are also eager to enjoy it. What's more, Toy Story is full of comedy that subtly goes over kids' heads, but adult audiences can appreciate.
This is once again true for Inside Out. The movie is aimed at young audiences, but the jokes about puberty are most relatable to those who have been through it before. Then, there are Riley's parents, whose inner emotions connect to audiences who are going through the same stresses. In all, Toy Story and Inside Out have mastered the art of appealing to audiences of all ages, which means a better chance at striking the right chord. It's precisely this that will elevate Inside Out 2 to such a high status within Pixar's movies.
Inside Out 2
- Release Date
- June 14, 2024
- Runtime
- 96 Minutes
- Director
- Kelsey Mann
Cast
Joy
Anxiety
WHERE TO WATCH
Inside Out 2 is the sequel to the 2015 original film, which starred a young girl named Riley with a head full of emotions. - literally. With Amy Pohler as Joy, Bill Hader as fear, Mindy Kaling as Disgust, Phyllis Smith as Sadness, and Lewis Black as Anger, the all-star cast brought to life the emotions that adolescents face as they grow, change, and adapt to new situations. This sequel, currently in development, will bring Amy Pohler back as Joy, with Riley, now a teenager.
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