Inside Out 2 Becomes Highest Grossing Animated Film Ever

Disney and Pixar’s ‘Inside Out 2’ surpasses ‘Frozen II’ to become the highest-grossing animated movie of all time with over $1.46 billion in global ticket sales.

Key Points

• ‘Inside Out 2’ surpasses ‘Frozen II’ as the highest-grossing animated film ever.
• The film has earned over $1.46 billion globally, and the total is still rising.
• The movie’s Japan release is expected to boost box office numbers further.
• Pixar faced challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic with direct-to-streaming releases.
• ‘The Lion King’ (2019) is classified as a live-action remake despite its animation.

In a monumental achievement, Disney and Pixar‘s ‘Inside Out 2‘ has become the highest-grossing animated film of all time, overtaking ‘Frozen II.’ The highly anticipated sequel has generated over $1.46 billion in global ticket sales, and its box office total is set to grow even more with its upcoming release in Japan, a market that significantly contributed to the original film’s success.

The original ‘Inside Out,’ released in 2015, earned $850.5 million worldwide, with nearly $33 million coming from Japan. ‘Inside Out 2’s’ success is particularly remarkable given the recent struggles Pixar and Disney faced at the box office due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Several animated features were released directly on Disney+ during the pandemic, which impacted their theatrical earnings.

Before ‘Inside Out 2,’ no Disney animated feature from Pixar or Walt Disney Animation had surpassed $480 million globally since 2019. The new film’s record-breaking performance marks a triumphant return for Pixar and highlights its continued ability to captivate audiences worldwide.

Interestingly, Disney does not classify its 2019 release of ‘The Lion King‘ as an animated feature, despite almost the entire film being computer animated. The company considers it a live-action remake, and if included in the animated category, ‘The Lion King’ would hold the record with more than $1.6 billion in global box office receipts. Both Disney and box office analysts adhere to this classification, solidifying ‘Inside Out 2’s’ position as the highest-grossing animated film.

‘Inside Out 2’s’ achievement sets a new benchmark for animated films and underscores Pixar’s enduring appeal. As the film continues to release in additional markets, its box office total is expected to rise, further cementing its place in cinematic history. This milestone reaffirms Disney and Pixar’s dominance in the animation industry and sets the stage for future successes.