Pixar’s Inside Out 2 has made history by becoming the first animated film to surpass $1 billion at the international box office, as reported by Variety. The emotional sequel has grossed an impressive $1.649 billion globally, including $1.002 billion overseas and $646.3 million domestically. This milestone cements Inside Out 2 as the highest-grossing animated film in history, overtaking Frozen II—a title it secured just weeks ago.
However, there’s still a bit of a debate in the animation world. Some argue that Jon Favreau’s 2019 “photorealistically animated” remake of The Lion King holds the record, but with Inside Out 2 needing just an additional $7 million, it’s poised to claim the crown outright.
The film’s success has been particularly strong outside the U.S., with top markets including Mexico ($102.2 million), Brazil ($80 million), the UK ($72.7 million), France ($62.6 million), and Korea ($60.8 million). Inside Out 2 is also Disney’s second billion-dollar release this year, following Deadpool & Wolverine, which made headlines as the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time.
This incredible achievement highlights Disney’s continued dominance in the animation space and the global appeal of anthropomorphizing complex emotions. From ancient Greek mythology to today’s blockbuster films, audiences have always been fascinated by the personification of emotions like Anxiety, Envy, and Embarrassment.
Yet, history reminds us that success in the animation industry can be unpredictable. Disney’s current reign may seem unstoppable, but the pendulum of popular interest could swing back, just as it did in the past. Who could have imagined that Nelvana’s The Care Bears Movie would outgross Disney’s The Black Cauldron in 1985? Or that a Swedish film, Dunderklumpen!, would be the highest-grossing animated movie of 1974? As Disney continues to roll out sequels and remakes, the question lingers—how long before a new player captures the public’s imagination?
For those interested in animation history, a look at Wikipedia’s list of highest-grossing animated films by year offers a fascinating glimpse into the industry’s evolving landscape.
