Don't hesitate to embrace those emotional waves, as Disney and Pixar's "Inside Out 2" has just achieved a record-breaking box office debut, captivating audiences with its enchanting tale. Garnering a staggering $62 million on its opening day, including previews, across 4,440 screens, the film is poised to soar past the $82.5 million inaugural haul of "Dune: Part Two," securing its spot as the year's biggest domestic opening. Furthermore, it marks the first release to reach a nine-figure domestic opening in nearly 11 months, a remarkable feat considering the last film to surpass $100 million was "Barbie" last summer.
This triumphant comeback is a welcome sight for Pixar Animation Studios, which has faced challenges at the box office in recent years. The studio's decision to release films like "Turning Red," "Soul," and "Luca" directly on Disney+ during the COVID pandemic seemingly "trained" audiences to watch its offerings on streaming platforms. However, with "Inside Out 2," Pixar has reasserted its position as a major theatrical attraction.
The film, directed by Kelsey Mann, delves into the emotional complexities of adolescence, as young Riley navigates the maze of new emotions like Anxiety (voiced by Maya Hawke), Envy (Ayo Edebiri), Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser), Ennui (Adèle Exarchopoulos), and Nostalgia (June Squibb). Amy Poehler, Lewis Black, and Phyllis Smith reprise their voice roles from the 2015 original, bringing the familiar characters to life with warmth and humor.
The critical reception has been overwhelmingly positive, and early moviegoers have showered the film with praise, as evidenced by the glowing "A" grade awarded by Cinema Score. With a hefty $200 million production budget, Disney and Pixar have taken a significant gamble on "Inside Out 2," but the investment has clearly paid off. The film is poised for a prolonged and successful run, far exceeding its opening weekend's impressive haul.
Meanwhile, Sony and Columbia's "Bad Boys: Ride or Die" continues to hold its own in the box office, looking strong in its second week. The buddy action flick is expected to gross $31.5 million in its sophomore outing, a mere 44% drop from its $56 million opening weekend. With Will Smith and Martin Lawrence reprising their roles, the sequel is well on its way to surpassing $100 million domestically within its first 10 days of release.
Alongside the blockbuster hits "Bad Boys" and "Inside Out 2," a third film is poised to cross the $100 million milestone in domestic earnings. Paramount Pictures' "IF" continues to captivate audiences in cinemas, with a projected haul of $3.6 million for its fifth weekend. This impressive sum positions it comfortably in fifth place and sets the stage for a milestone achievement, as it edges closer to the nine-figure mark in North America, expected to be reached sometime on Sunday.
Meanwhile, "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" is staging a comeback, reclaiming its spot in third place even after more than a month since its domestic debut. The sci-fi reboot from 20th Century Studios raked in another $1.3 million on Friday and is inching closer to the $160 million milestone in North America, expected to be achieved within the next week.
Sony's "The Garfield Movie," currently in fourth place, is facing its steepest decline yet after maintaining solid numbers for several weeks. With "Inside Out 2" stealing the lion's share of family audience attention, the Alcon-animated film is still looking at a respectable $5.3 million haul for its fourth weekend. Nevertheless, it will cross the $75 million domestic mark sometime on Saturday, solidifying its position as a hit of the summer season.
