Summary

• Inside Out 2 poised to replace Toy Story franchise as Pixar's new golden child with potential for multiple sequels.
• Inside Out's critical acclaim and profit potential make it a strong contender for Pixar's next big hit.
• Just like Toy Story, Inside Out explores timeless themes of growing up and emotion in an entertaining and relatable way.

The Toy Story franchise has been Pixar's golden child for years, but Inside Out 2 could see Woody and Buzz officially replaced. The toys of Andy's bedroom have come a long way over the years, and each installment in the franchise has brought Pixar new levels of success. However, this can't go on forever, and with Toy Story 5 expected to release in 2026, there's a good chance that this will be our final goodbye from these characters. However, Inside Out is gearing up to take its place.

Inside Out was released in 2015, and its booming success has inspired the 2024 sequel, Inside Out 2. The movie will return to the inside of Riley's head as her emotions adjust to puberty and the teen years, thus furthering the themes begun by the first movie. Based on the hype leading up to Inside Out 2's release, it's sure to be a hit, and there is already talk of several more movies to follow. If this were to happen, it would be well on its way to becoming the next Toy Story franchise.

10 Inside Out's Premise Has Huge Potential For Sequels

The Toy Story Franchise Has Worked Because Of Its Longevity

Part of what made Toy Story so successful for Pixar over all these years is how it is perfectly equipped to get more sequels. The primary characters are toys, and the world of Toy Story plays off the idea that every child's bedroom comes to life when they aren't looking. So, while Woody and Buzz started in Andy's room, they moved on to other children. The story never has to end, and the same is true for Inside Out.

Riley was 11 in the first Inside Out movie, and Inside Out 2 will see her celebrate her 13th birthday. Naturally, this means a good deal will change inside her head, and anyone who has ever grown up knows that's only the start. Every stage in Riley's life could make for an Inside Out sequel, and even once she is grown up, the franchise could explore the inside of other characters' minds. Like Toy Story, the possibilities are endless.

9 The Original Inside Out Was A Big Box-Office Success

Inside Out 2 Has The Potential To Be Just As Profitable As Toy Story

Pixar has continued to make Toy Story movies because they have performed well at the box office. All four movies have been hits, with each reliably setting the bar a little higher. The first Toy Story managed an impressive $394.4 million at the global box office in 1995, but this is nothing compared to the $1.073 billion brought in by Toy Story 4 in 2019. Though Inside Out hasn't had enough installments to compare, it's well on its way already.

When Inside Out was released in 2015, it made $859 million at the global box office and was the second highest-grossing animated movie that year (with Illumination's Minions coming in ahead). Though this isn't quite as high as the performance from Toy Story 3 and Toy Story 4, it's highly likely that Inside Out 2 will join the billion-dollar club. If the franchise can keep these numbers on an upward trajectory like Toy Story, the sky is the limit.

8 Inside Out Remains One Of Pixar's Most Critically Acclaimed Movies

Inside Out Earned a 98% Critic Score On Rotten Tomatoes

Box office numbers aren't the only important factor in a movie's success. Critics have a lot to do with whether a franchise lives to see another day, and Toy Story has continued to receive overwhelmingly positive reviews. Toy Story and Toy Story 2 have impressive 100% scores on Rotten Tomatoes, making them tied for the top spot regarding Pixar's critical reception. Of course, Inside Out did pretty well for itself in this regard.

Inside Out is Pixar's fourth most critically acclaimed movie, according to Rotten Tomatoes, and that's a great starting point for the beginning of the series. The film was praised for its story, design, concept, characters, voice work, and much more, all features that can be included and made even better in Inside Out 2. If the 2024 sequel can also land a great Rotten Tomatoes score, then an Inside Out 3 is all but guaranteed.

7 The Toy Story Franchise Isn't Invulnerable After All

Toy Story Isn't Likely To Go On Forever