Disney and Pixar's latest film, "Inside Out 2," made a big impact at the box office over the weekend, bringing in an estimated $155 million domestically. This marked the second-highest opening for an animated film and the first to surpass $100 million since Warner Bros.' "Barbie." The film is also expected to earn $295 million globally for the weekend.
The success of "Inside Out 2" comes at a crucial time for both Pixar and Walt Disney Animation, as they have struggled to regain momentum at the box office following the easing of pandemic restrictions. Disney had previously released animated features directly on Disney+, which may have impacted the audience's return to theaters.
Despite some concerns that Disney's content had become too existential and focused on social issues beyond children's reach, "Inside Out 2" managed to attract around 12 million patrons to cinemas. This success has been seen as a win for both theaters and Pixar.
The overall theatrical industry has faced challenges this year due to production shutdowns and labor strikes, resulting in a decline in ticket sales compared to previous years. The absence of a Marvel Cinematic Universe title in the early summer slate has also affected box office performance.
Looking ahead, there are some promising releases coming up, such as Marvel's "Deadpool and Wolverine" in July and "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" in September. The industry is hopeful that these upcoming films, along with other highly anticipated releases, will help boost box office numbers and mitigate the impact of a slower summer season.
While the success of "Inside Out 2" is a positive sign for the industry, it remains to be seen whether it will address concerns about evolving consumer behavior and the impact of streaming strategies on traditional theatrical releases. Overall, the film's performance has been viewed as a positive development amidst a challenging year for the box office.