Inside Out 2 Shatters Second Longest Box Office Streak in History with Rare Achievement for Animated Films

Inside Out 2 has made a remarkable splash in the film industry, emerging as the highest-grossing movie of 2024 by a significant margin. This film has not only topped the charts for the year but has also become the highest-grossing animated film of all time. In an impressive feat, it has outpaced the 2019 remake of The Lion King, a film often debated due to its photorealistic depiction. With Inside Out 2 taking the lead, the distinction of the highest-grossing animated film firmly belongs to an animated production.

The phenomenal box office performance of Inside Out 2 illustrates the movie’s appeal across generations. Unlike films such as Despicable Me 4, which primarily attract younger audiences, or Dune: Part Two, which resonates more with adults, Inside Out 2 captivates viewers of all ages. Its vibrant animation and comedic moments engage young children, while mature themes regarding anxiety resonate with teenagers and young adults who grew up with the original film.

First Animated Film to Dominate the Box Office in Over a Decade

Recalling the Last Occurrence: Frozen in 2013

In an impressive turn of events, Inside Out 2 has eclipsed blockbuster titles including Dune: Part Two, Despicable Me 4, and Deadpool & Wolverine, now reigning as the highest-grossing film of 2024. This marks a significant return as it is the first animated feature to claim the top spot since Frozen achieved this in 2013. Frozen itself triumphed over major blockbusters like Fast & Furious 6, Despicable Me 2, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, and The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.

Frozen narrowly surpassed the Marvel sensation Iron Man 3, due to its extensive success following The Avengers, by just a few millions. Animation is unique in its ability to attract audiences consistently; parents will always seek entertaining options for their children, and a well-crafted animated film remains a top choice. Despite Frozen‘s box office success, animation didn’t reclaim the year-end title until this year.

A Historical Box Office Gap

Beauty and the Beast: The Milestone of 1991

The 11-year interval separating Frozen and Inside Out 2 in securing their positions as the highest-grossing films is notable as the second-longest in animation history. Notably, this gap ranks as the longest since the commencement of global box office tracking in 1977, particularly when Star Wars shattered previous records. Following the beginning of these statistics, it wasn’t until 1991 that an animated film regained the title, thanks to the success of Beauty and the Beast, creating a staggering 14-year period.

In total, animated films have achieved the status of the highest-grossing movie of the year eight times, including Inside Out 2 in 2024, Frozen in 2013, Toy Story 3 in 2010, Shrek 2 in 2004, Toy Story in 1995, The Lion King in 1994, Aladdin in 1992, and Beauty and the Beast in 1991. Prior to the successes of Frozen and Inside Out 2, the longest gap between animated record-holders was nine years, specifically between Toy Story and Shrek 2.

The Silence of Animation: 2014-2023

Superhero Films and Live-Action Franchises Reign Supreme

Captain America in Captain America: Civil War

The lack of animated films leading the box office from 2014 to 2023 can largely be attributed to the reign of superhero films and other live-action franchises. Aside from the notable success of Barbie in 2023, the decade predominantly featured action-packed sequels from major franchises. This era coincided with the zenith of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the revival of the Star Wars franchise, which unfortunately became mired in mixed receptions.

Notable box office leaders during this timeframe included Transformers: Age of Extinction in 2014, followed by Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), Captain America: Civil War (2016), and Avengers: Infinity War in 2018, culminating with Barbie in 2023 following a series of superhero hits. Despite the potential of titles like The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which nearly claimed the top spot last year, the “Barbenheimer” phenomenon shifted the momentum. As audiences become fatigued by the relentless pace of big-budget action films, acclaimed animated features like Inside Out 2 are poised to fill emerging gaps in the market.

Looking Ahead: 2026 and the Animated Film Landscape

Upcoming Releases: Shrek 5 and Toy Story 5

While 2025 may not showcase an animated film as the top-grossing movie of the year—despite anticipated successes from titles like Zootopia 2 and The Smurfs Movie—the calendar year 2026 stands as a promising platform for animated blockbusters. Both Toy Story 5 and Shrek 5 will be launched less than two weeks apart in the summer, creating high expectations among audiences.

On June 19, 2026, Toy Story 5 will premiere, followed by Shrek 5 on July 1, 2026. This close release schedule is somewhat risky but showcases the potential of two beloved franchises. Coupled with the anticipated sequel to The Super Mario Bros. Movie arriving on April 3, 2026, there is solid hope for another magnificent year in animation, akin to Inside Out 2‘s impressive success.

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