In 2015, the world was introduced to Riley, a loveable eleven-year-old, and the emotions that quite literally live inside her head. This coming June, we will be returning to Riley’s mind in the much-anticipated Inside Out 2!
When it was released, Inside Out was an instant hit. The film received widespread critical acclaim and went on to win Best Animated Feature at the 88th Academy Awards. Like most Pixar movies, it managed to touch more than just its intended youthful audience. High schoolers, adults, and psychologists all praised the powerful, moving story for its portrayal of self-discovery and emotional maturity. (Does anyone else still cry when you think of Bing Bong’s sacrifice, or is that just me?)
Inside Out 2 has only released a one-minute, thirty-second teaser trailer, but it is already clear that we can expect just as much emotion and heartfelt storytelling as the first movie. Riley is now in her teenage years—and she will be getting some new additions to the control room of her mind. In the teaser, a construction crew bursts into Riley’s mind in the middle of the night and begins to tear down and rebuild the interior of her thoughts, much to the dismay of Joy, Sadness, Disgust, Anger, and Fear. Joy is deeply perplexed by the brand new, orange console now in the center of Riley’s mind, but the arrival of Anxiety soon answers her questions, Riley’s newest emotion. If Anxiety’s kooky appearance doesn’t make you giggle, the original five emotions’ reactions to her certainly will.
Anxiety is not the only newcomer to Riley’s mind. At the end of the teaser, the phrase “the feel-good movie of 2024” appears in colorful font—only for the word “good” to be quickly replaced by a rotating list of other emotions. In addition to Anxiety and the core five emotions from Inside Out, ennui, embarrassment, and envy also appear on the list. These new emotions will almost double the number of occupants in Riley’s mind. I can already imagine the angst that will provide for the original five.
Not all of Inside Out’s original cast will be returning for the sequel. Liza Lapira will be taking over the voice of Disgust, previously played by Mindy Kaling, and Tony Hale will be voicing Fear instead of Bill Hader this time around. However, the remaining three core emotions will all be voiced by their original actors: Amy Poehler as Joy, Phyllis Smith as Sadness, and Lewis Black as Anger. (If you haven’t seen Phyllis Smith’s Honey Nut Cheerios commercial yet, I highly recommend it.) Although most of the new cast has not yet been announced, Inside Out 2’s IMDb page names Stranger Things’ Maya Hawke as Anxiety.
The world of Inside Out has also undergone some changes when it comes to the creative team behind the story. The first film was directed by Pete Docter and Ronnie Del Carmen, who also served as cowriters alongside Meg LeFauve. The sequel’s director is Kelsey Mann, and its only listed writer is Meg LeFauve. This will be Mann’s first time directing a full-length feature, having directed animated shorts and TV episodes in the past. It is not, however, his first time working with LeFauve. The two collaborated on the story for 2015’s The Good Dinosaur.
Inside Out 2 is set for release on June 14, 2024. Which new emotion are you most excited to see come to life in Riley’s mind? Let us know in the comments!
