An emotional win for theaters, Hollywood: ‘Inside Out 2’ scores massive $155 million opening – Sent-trib
Hollywood’s summer movie season witnessed a significant boost as Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” debuted with an astounding $155 million in ticket sales from 4,440 theaters across the U.S. and Canada, according to studio estimates. This massive success marks the second-highest opening weekend in Pixar’s 29-year history and the second-largest animated opening ever, trailing only the $182.7 million debut of “Incredibles 2” in 2018. Internationally, the film garnered an estimated $140 million, leading to a phenomenal $295 million global start.
A Phenomenal Global Reception
The success of “Inside Out 2” extends beyond its domestic performance. With a global opening of $295 million, it sets a new record for 2024 and becomes the biggest release since “Barbie.” Tony Chambers, Disney’s head of theatrical distribution, expressed his delight, noting that the film exceeded even the highest expectations.
“People go to theaters for great movies,” Chambers stated. “The reviews, the word of mouth just helped build this momentum … It’s becoming a bit of a phenomenon.”
Multicultural Appeal and Industry Impact
Significantly, “Inside Out 2” managed to attract audiences of all ages and demographics. Post-COVID, breakout successes like this depend heavily on appealing to diverse groups. The film’s success is not just a win for Pixar but also a crucial moment for the broader Hollywood ecosystem and theatrical exhibition, which had been struggling with a 26% deficit.
“Everybody needed this because success begets success,” Chambers said, highlighting the positive impact on exhibitors and fellow studios alike. “It’s great for the industry, great for Pixar, and great for the business overall.”
Disney’s strong summer lineup also includes “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” which ranked third this weekend with $5.2 million, bringing its global total to $374.5 million. Next in line is “Deadpool & Wolverine,” set to release on July 26.
Critical Acclaim and Audience Praise
Directed by Kelsey Mann, “Inside Out 2” continues the story of Riley, now 13, introducing new emotions like Anxiety (voiced by Maya Hawke) and Envy (voiced by Ayo Edebiri) alongside Joy (voiced by Amy Poehler). The film has received glowing reviews, with a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an A CinemaScore from audiences, indicating it won’t be a one-weekend wonder. With children out of school and minimal competition until “Despicable Me 4” releases around the Fourth of July, “Inside Out 2” is poised for a strong summer run.
“This is a monumental weekend for movie theaters,” commented Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for Comscore.
“Inside Out 2” reportedly cost around $200 million to produce, excluding marketing expenses. Pre-weekend projections estimated a $90 million debut, which would still have been a significant achievement. The actual figures far exceeded these expectations, finally surpassing March releases like “Dune: Part Two” and “Godzilla x Kong.”
The Recommitment to Theatrical Releases
The substantial opening of “Inside Out 2” marks a pivotal moment for Pixar, which had shifted focus to streaming releases during the pandemic. Films like “Soul,” “Luca,” and “Turning Red” went straight to Disney+. However, recent reports indicate Pixar’s renewed commitment to theatrical releases, with a return to feature films and a reduction in workforce by 14%.
“This weekend is huge for Pixar as they’ve been trying to regain their momentum since the pandemic,” Dergarabedian noted. “They’ve really come back big.”
Box Office Rankings and Future Prospects
“Inside Out 2” topped the box office, followed by Sony’s “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” which earned $33 million in its second weekend. Other notable releases included “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” and “The Garfield Movie.” The success of “Bad Boys” and “Inside Out 2” signals a promising turnaround for the summer movie season, which typically accounts for about 40% of the annual box office.
“We’re not going to get there overnight,” Dergarabedian cautioned, “but it’s good news for theaters. And we have some big movies on the way.”
The energy was palpable in theaters, with audiences staying to discuss the film and eagerly anticipating upcoming releases like “Despicable Me 4” and “Deadpool & Wolverine.” Jeff Whipple, a vice president for Megaplex Theaters, described the experience as “magical,” with generations of families coming together for “Inside Out 2.”
Final domestic figures for the weekend will be released on Monday, but the estimated ticket sales for the top ten films are as follows:
- “Inside Out 2,” $155 million.
- “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” $33 million.
- “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” $5.2 million.
- “The Garfield Movie,” $5 million.
- “The Watchers,” $3.7 million.
- “IF,” $3.5 million.
- “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,” $2.4 million.
- “The Fall Guy,” $1.5 million.
- “The Strangers: Chapter 1,” $760,000.
- “Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,” $632,910.
The overwhelming success of “Inside Out 2” indicates a brighter future for theaters and the film industry as a whole.
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