NEW YORK (AP) 鈥� Weekend number two was just as joyous for
The Pixar sequel collected $100 million in ticket sales in its second weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday, setting a new record for an animated movie in its follow-up frame in theaters. The previous best second weekend for an animated title was Only six movies ever have had better second weekends.
In just a week and a half, 鈥淚nside Out 2鈥� has become 2024鈥檚 highest-grossing film to date with $724.4 million globally, including $355.2 million in U.S. and Canadian theaters. That passes the $711.8 million worldwide total of 鈥淚nside Out 2鈥� will likely blow through the $1 billion mark in about a week, which would make it the first film to do so.
The extent of the 鈥淚nside Out 2鈥� success startled Hollywood, which had grown accustomed to lower expectations as the film industry watched ticket sales this year slump about 40% below pre-pandemic totals, according to data firm Comscore, before 鈥淚nside Out 2鈥� came along.
The record haul for 鈥淚nside Out 2,鈥� though, recalled past years when $1 billion grosses were more commonplace for the Walt Disney Co. It is also a much-needed blockbuster for Pixar, which after , reconsidered its movie pipeline and approach to mass-audience appeal.
Now, 鈥淚nside Out 2,鈥� which dipped a mere 35% from its , is poised to challenge 鈥淭he Incredibles 2鈥� ($1.2 billion) for the all-time top grossing Pixar release. It could also steer the venerated animation factory toward more sequels. Among its upcoming films is 鈥淭oy Story 5,鈥� due out in 2026.
For theater owners, 鈥淚nside Out 2鈥� could hardly have been more needed. But it also reminded exhibitors of how feast-or-famine the movie business has become in recent years. Since the pandemic, movies like 鈥淏arbie,鈥� 鈥淪pider-Man: No Way Home鈥� and 鈥淭op Gun: Maverick鈥� have pushed ticket sales to record heights, but fallow periods in between box-office sensations have grown longer. Ticket sales over Memorial Day last month
Some of 2024鈥檚 downturn can be attributed to release-schedule juggling caused by The biggest new release over the weekend was Jeff Nichols鈥� motorcycle gang drama a film originally slated to open in 2023 before the actors strike prompted its postponement.
鈥淭he Bikeriders,鈥� starring Jodie Comer, Austin Butler and Tom Hardy, came in on the high side of expectations with $10 million from 2,642 venues in its opening weekend. 鈥淭he Bikeriders,鈥� which cost about $35 million to produce, was originally to be released by Disney before New Regency took it to Focus Features last fall.
The strong business for 鈥淚nside Out 2鈥� appeared to raise ticket sales generally. Sony Pictures鈥� held well in its third week of release, collecting $18.8 million. It remained in second place. The 鈥淏ad Boys鈥� sequel, starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, has grossed $146.9 million domestically thus far.
Next week, the sci-fi horror prequel 鈥淎 Quiet Place: Day One鈥� and Kevin Costner's Western epic will hope some of the 鈥淚nside Out 2鈥� success rubs off on them.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.
1. "Inside Out 2,鈥� $100 million.
2. 鈥淏ad Boys: Ride or Die,鈥� $18.8 million.
3. 鈥淭he Bikeriders,鈥� $10 million.
4. 鈥淭he Garfield Movie, $3.6 million.
5. 鈥淜ingdom of the Planet of the Apes,鈥� $3.6 million.
6. 鈥淚f,鈥� $2.8 million.
7. 鈥淭he Exorcism,鈥� $2.4 million.
8. 鈥淭helma,鈥� $2.2 million.
9. 鈥淭he Watchers,鈥� $1.9 million.
10. 鈥淕host: Rite Here Rite Now,鈥� $1.5 million.
Jake Coyle, The Associated Press
