Inside Out 2 is a 2024 American animated coming-of-age film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. A sequel to the 2015 film Inside Out, it marks the feature directorial debut of Kelsey Mann and is produced by Mark Nielsen. The screenplay was written by Meg LeFauve and Dave Holstein, based on a story conceived by Mann and LeFauve.
The film features returning voice actors Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Lewis Black, Diane Lane, and Kyle MacLachlan. New cast members include Tony Hale, who replaces Bill Hader as Fear, Liza Lapira, who replaces Mindy Kaling as Disgust, and new characters voiced by Maya Hawke, Ayo Edebiri, Adèle Exarchopoulos, Paul Walter Hauser, and Kensington Tallman, who replaces Kaitlyn Dias as Riley. The story follows Riley’s emotions as they are joined by new emotions, creating a dynamic struggle to control Riley’s mind.
| Directed by | Kelsey Mann |
|---|---|
| Screenplay by | Meg LeFauve, Dave Holstein |
| Story by | Kelsey Mann, Meg LeFauve |
| Produced by | Mark Nielsen |
| Starring | Amy Poehler |
| Phyllis Smith | |
| Lewis Black | |
| Tony Hale | |
| Liza Lapira | |
| Maya Hawke | |
| Ayo Edebiri | |
| Adèle Exarchopoulos | |
| Paul Walter Hauser | |
| Kensington Tallman | |
| Diane Lane | |
| Kyle MacLachlan | |
| Cinematography | Adam Habib, Jonathan Pytko |
| Edited by | Maurissa Horwitz |
| Music by | Andrea Datzman |
| Production company | Pixar Animation Studios |
| Distributed by | Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures |
| Release dates | June 10, 2024 (El Capitan Theatre) |
| June 14, 2024 (United States) | |
| Running time | 96 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $200 million |
Production:
After the success of Inside Out (2015), the seventh-highest-grossing film of that year, a sequel was considered “inevitable” by Entertainment Tonight and The Guardian. Inside Out director Pete Docter began developing ideas for a sequel while the original film’s nominations were being announced at the 88th Academy Awards in January 2016. Pixar officially confirmed the sequel’s development during the D23 Expo in September 2022, with Amy Poehler and Docter discussing the film on stage. Kelsey Mann was announced as the director, marking his feature directorial debut, with Mark Nielsen producing and Meg LeFauve returning to write the screenplay.
To create “truthful” worldbuilding, Mann used Docter’s “five to 27 emotions” concept from the first film. Mann’s initial draft included nine new emotions to make Joy feel overwhelmed, but this approach was later simplified to keep the story focused. Initially, emotions like Schadenfreude, Jealousy, and Guilt were included. Although Jealousy and Guilt were removed, their influences remained. Envy was related to Jealousy, and Anxiety inherited some of Guilt’s characteristics, inspired by Disneyland hotels.
To ensure the film accurately portrayed modern teenage life, Pixar enlisted a group of nine teenagers, dubbed “Riley’s Crew,” to provide feedback. Their input led to the inclusion of the emotion Nostalgia and influenced various scenes, including the depiction of everyday elements of the emotions’ lives and Riley’s transition from middle school to high school.
Release:
Inside Out 2 premiered at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles on June 10, 2024, and is set for a theatrical release in the United States on June 14, 2024. The film will be available in various formats, including RealD 3D, IMAX, and Dolby Cinema. Additionally, it will screen at the 2024 Annecy International Animation Film Festival on the same day.
