This spring, The Walt Disney Company builds on powerful momentum from a record-breaking 2025, with an exciting slate that fans across Lucasfilm, Pixar Animation Studios, 20th Century Studios, and Searchlight Pictures won’t want to miss.

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Zootopia 2 is now the No. 1 domestic release of 2025, also ranking as the No. 1 MPA animated film of all time worldwide. This milestone marks the second consecutive year that The Walt Disney Studios has delivered the top domestic release — and in 2025, Disney claimed three of the top four domestic films overall with Zootopia 2, Lilo & Stitch, and Avatar: Fire and Ash.

That strength extends to streaming. 20th Century Studios’ Predator: Badlands debuted as the No. 1 film premiere on Hulu since Prey, drawing nearly 9 million global views in its first five days across Disney+ and Hulu. In total, audiences have streamed more than 300 million hours of the Predator franchise globally on Disney’s streaming platforms.

Disney enters 2026 on a remarkable run, backed by a daring slate poised to captivate audiences around the world.

Here’s what’s coming to theaters this Spring 2026:

• Disney and Pixar’s Hoppers — March 6
• Searchlight Pictures’ Ready or Not 2: Here I Come — March 20
• 20th Century Studios’ The Devil Wears Prada 2 — May 1
• Lucasfilm’s The Mandalorian and Grogu — May 22

Disney and Pixar’s Hoppers

Release Date: March 6

Disney and Pixar’s next original animated comedy follows a young animal lover who “hops” her consciousness into a robotic beaver to communicate with animals and protect their habitat. The all-star ensemble features the voices of Piper Curda (Mabel), Bobby Moynihan (King George), Jon Hamm (Mayor Jerry), Meryl Streep (Insect Queen), Dave Franco (Titus), Kathy Najimy (Dr. Sam), and more. Hoppers delivers heart, humor, and a wholly original world to fans of all ages.

Searchlight Pictures’ Ready or Not 2: Here I Come

Release Date: March 20

Let the game begin! Moments after surviving an all-out attack from the Le Domas family, Grace (Samara Weaving) discovers she’s reached the next level of the nightmarish game — and this time with her estranged sister Faith (Kathryn Newton) at her side. Grace has one chance to survive, keep her sister alive, and claim the High Seat of the Council that controls the world. Four rival families are hunting her for the throne, and whoever wins rules it all. The unpredictable sequel raises the stakes on the deadly game that made the first film a breakout hit. Radio Silence’s Ready or Not 2 also stars Sarah Michelle Gellar, Shawn Hatosy, Néstor Carbonell, with David Cronenberg, and Elijah Wood.

20th Century Studios’ The Devil Wears Prada 2

Release Date: May 1

The Devil Wears Prada 2? This spring? Groundbreaking. After two decades, Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci return to the fashionable streets of New York City and the sleek offices of Runway Magazine in the eagerly awaited sequel to the 2006 phenomenon that defined a generation.

Lucasfilm’s The Mandalorian and Grogu

Release Date: May 22

After more than 6 years since Star Wars was in theaters, the galaxy’s favorite duo is about to make their debut on the big screen. When dangerous warlords threaten a peaceful galaxy, the New Republic calls upon legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his young apprentice Grogu to protect everything the Rebellion fought for. Directed by Jon Favreau, The Mandalorian and Grogu also stars Sigourney Weaver and Jeremy Allen White and is produced by Jon Favreau, Kathleen Kennedy, Dave Filoni, and Ian Bryce, with music composed by Ludwig Göransson.

Following a record-setting year in theaters, Disney’s 2026 lineup raises the bar with fresh storytelling, fan-favorite worlds, and big-screen experiences designed to bring audiences together.

This summer, Disney and Pixar return with Toy Story 5 on June 19, followed by Disney Live Action’s highly anticipated reimagining of Moana on July 10. Searchlight Pictures keeps the energy high with the comedy Super Troopers 3 on August 7, before 20th Century Studios closes out the blockbuster season with Ridley Scott’s The Dog Stars on August 28.

Zootopia 2 is now the highest-grossing animated Motion Picture Association (MPA) film of all time, having just surpassed Inside Out 2. This milestone also makes Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Zootopia 2 the #9 biggest film in history worldwide.

“This milestone belongs first and foremost to the fans around the world whose enthusiasm made it possible. We’re incredibly proud of our filmmakers Jared Bush, Byron Howard, and Yvett Merino and the entire team at Walt Disney Animation Studios for creating a film that connects so deeply with audiences everywhere. Zootopia 2 is an extraordinary achievement, and we’re grateful to everyone who helped bring it to life,” said Alan Bergman, Co-Chairman, Disney Entertainment.

Additional Highlights:

• $1.703 billion global gross to date ($390 million domestic / $1.313 billion international)
• #1 global MPA release of 2025
• #1 global MPA release of all time in China ($619 million to date)
• #1 international MPA release of 2025
• #9 global film of all time
• The Walt Disney Studios have released the top three animated MPA releases with Zootopia 2 (#1), Pixar’s Inside Out 2 (#2) and Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Frozen 2 (#3)
• The two Zootopia films have delivered a combined global box office total exceeding $2.73 billion to date
• “Verified Hot” Rotten Tomatoes 96% Audience Score and an A “Cinema Score”
• Opened on November 26, 2025 to a record-breaking $559.5 million in five days, becoming the highest global animated opening of all time, the highest global debut of 2025, and the highest global opening for any animated film in Disney history
• Fastest animated MPA — and fastest PG-rated — film to reach $1 billion

Zootopia 2 continues its theatrical run in theaters worldwide.

About Zootopia 2

In Zootopia 2, rookie cops Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (voiced by Jason Bateman) find themselves on the twisting trail of a great mystery when Gary De’Snake (voice of Academy Award® winner Ke Huy Quan) arrives in Zootopia and turns the animal metropolis upside down. To crack the case, Judy and Nick must go undercover to unexpected new parts of town, where their growing partnership is tested like never before. The Oscar®-winning team of Jared Bush and Byron Howard (directors) and Yvett Merino (producer) are the principal filmmakers.

The Walt Disney Studios announced on Sunday that 20th Century Studios’ Avatar: Fire and Ash has officially surpassed $1 billion at the global box office, cementing another monumental achievement for James Cameron’s groundbreaking franchise and underscoring its unparalleled connection with audiences worldwide.

The milestone makes Avatar: Fire and Ash the third film in the franchise to surpass $1 billion globally, establishing Avatar among the most elite franchises in cinema history — and one of only a select few whose three films have each crossed the billion-dollar threshold. It is also the third $1 billion title released by The Walt Disney Studios in 2025 alongside Zootopia 2 and Lilo & Stitch.

Avatar: Fire and Ash has demonstrated the franchise’s signature theatrical staying power, building its global total through sustained performance driven by premium-format demand, and extended international play — hallmarks that have defined the Avatar phenomenon since 2009.

Key Highlights:

• $ 1.083 billion global gross to date ($306 million domestic / $777.1 million international)
• No. 2 MPA global release of 2025
• No. 2 among the year’s top-grossing MPA international releases with standout results across multiple markets including China ($138 million and the second highest-grossing MPA film of 2025), France ($81 million), Germany ($64 million), and Korea ($44 million)
• Franchise power with three Avatar films delivering a combined global box office total exceeding $6.35 billion to date

Avatar: Fire and Ash continues its theatrical run in theaters worldwide.

About Avatar: Fire and Ash:

James Cameron takes audiences back to Pandora in an immersive new adventure with Marine turned Na’vi leader Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), Na’vi warrior Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña), and the Sully family. The film, which is directed by James Cameron and features a screenplay by James Cameron & Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver, and a story by James Cameron & Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver & Josh Friedman & Shane Salerno, is produced by James Cameron, p.g.a., and Jon Landau, p.g.a., with Richard Baneham, Rae Sanchini, and David Valdes serving as executive producers. The film also stars Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Oona Chaplin, Cliff Curtis, Joel David Moore, CCH Pounder, Edie Falco, David Thewlis, Jemaine Clement, Giovanni Ribisi, Britain Dalton, Jamie Flatters, Trinity Jo-Li Bliss, Jack Champion, Brendan Cowell, Bailey Bass, Filip Geljo, Duane Evans, Jr., and Kate Winslet.

20^th Century Studios’ Avatar: Fire and Ash rolled out with an estimated box office gross of $347.1 million around the world this weekend, returning audiences to the visually stunning and immersive 3D world of Pandora.

Directed, written, produced, and edited by James Cameron, Avatar: Fire and Ash was the No. 1 film at the box office both domestically, grossing $89 million, and internationally, grossing $258.1 million.

Including the opening of Avatar: Fire and Ash, the three films in the Avatar franchise have now grossed $5.6 billion to date.

The film was the No. 1 Motion Picture Association (MPA) release in all material markets except Japan this weekend, with an especially historic start in China. In China, Avatar: Fire and Ash brought in $57.6 million, making it the second highest MPA opening of 2025, behind only Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Zootopia 2.

Not only are audiences coming out in droves to see the film, but once seated, they’re enjoying the quality of the third installment in this multi-Academy Award-winning series as well. The movie holds a 91% Rotten Tomatoes Verified Moviegoers score, 4.5/5 PostTrak score, and an “A” CinemaScore.

“I don’t know if you say the big screen exists for this movie or this movie exists for the big screen — but it is the reason to go to the movies,” Steve Asbell, President, 20th Century Studios, previously said.

Domestic audiences have been enjoying the film on the biggest and most advances screens possible, with Premium Formats delivering an overall 66% of the opening weekend, and 3D showtimes contributing 56% of the box office.

The Avatar films have now delivered three of the top ten December openings of all time, and The Walt Disney Studios now account for five of the top ten domestic opening weekends of 2025.

Fans of Avatar can immerse themselves in the franchise beyond the movie theater, by visiting Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park at Walt Disney World Resort, a land that celebrates the power of nature through immersive, innovative attractions and experiences.

“I always think of the films as aspirational in the sense that, ‘I’d love to go there!’” Cameron said.

Avatar: Fire and Ash wasn’t the only Disney film connecting with audiences at the box office this weekend. Zootopia 2 continues its historic run, now standing over $1.276 billion worldwide.

The animated sequel has grossed $283.1 million domestically and $993 million internationally, maintaining its status as the No. 1 MPA global release of 2025. The film stands at the No. 2 MPA release of all time in China with an estimated $539 million to date, behind only Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Endgame.

Zootopia 2 is also currently the No. 5 MPA global animated release of all-time, as Disney now accounts for four of the top five MPA global animated releases ever.

Today, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Zootopia 2 will cross the $1 billion mark at the global box office after only 17 days in release, having earned $986.1 million globally thus far ($232.7 million domestic and $753.4 million international). The hit film will be the second Motion Picture Association (MPA) $1 billion title of 2025 after Disney’s Lilo & Stitch, and will reach the global milestone in the shortest amount of time among all animated MPA releases and all PG-rated films.

This milestone also marks the first back-to-back billion-dollar releases for Walt Disney Animation Studios, following last year’s Moana 2. The studio now counts five billion-dollar titles since 2013: Frozen, Frozen 2, Moana 2, Zootopia, and Zootopia 2.

“Everyone at Disney Animation put their heart, soul and passion into this film to tell a story full of joy, imagination, and incredible thoughtfulness,” said Jared Bush, Chief Creative Officer, Walt Disney Animation Studios. “This milestone means the world to us, because more than anything, it means audiences are coming to theaters for a shared experience of watching this movie on the big screen, everyone together, from all walks of life around the world — and that is a Zootopia dream come true.”

With a Certified Hot audience score of 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and an A CinemaScore, Zootopia 2 opened on November 26 to a record-breaking $559.5 million in five days, becoming the highest global animated opening of all time, the highest global debut of 2025, and the highest global opening for any animated film in Disney history. In addition, it stands as the No. 1 international MPA release of the year.

Amid its stellar international performance, Zootopia 2 has broken a number of historic records in China. It is the country’s highest animated opening of all time for a non-local title — with a massive $272 million — and the highest-grossing non-local animated film of all time, which was achieved in only five days. Today, the film stands as the No. 2 MPA release of all time in the country, behind Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Endgame, with an estimated $447 million to date. The Walt Disney Studios now also holds three of the top five highest-grossing MPA titles ever released in the Chinese market.

While Zootopia 2 continues its phenomenal worldwide theatrical run, its box office success has also reignited interest in the franchise, driving record viewership of Zootopia and Zootopia+ on Disney+, where they’ve been viewed for more than 725 million hours globally on the platform.

The world of Zootopia returned in spectacular fashion this weekend as Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Zootopia 2 delivered a $559.5 million global opening, including $158 million domestically over five days and $401.5 million internationally.

This milestone cements the film as a global phenomenon and underscores Disney’s leadership in animated creativity and storytelling.

“The incredible response to Zootopia 2 reflects both its worldwide appeal and the remarkable work of our filmmakers and cast,” Alan Bergman, Co-Chairman, Disney Entertainment, said. “It’s a proud moment for Disney Animation and all of us at Disney, not to mention a great way to start the holiday season.”

Zootopia 2, which includes the voice talents of Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Ke Huy Quan, and a slew of celebrities in cameo roles, represents the fourth highest global opening of all time, the biggest global debut of 2025, and the largest global animated film opening ever at current rates and same suite of markets (The Walt Disney Company holds the top three and four of the top five).

“There’s something about animals that people can read themselves into,” Jared Bush, the Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios and the writer and director of Zootopia 2, said. “The real fun thing about Zootopia is that you can identify with an animal. That’s you, that’s your friend, that’s your teacher, that’s a guy you saw at the DMV. There’s something very universal about that.”

The film, which was also directed by Byron Howard, achieved the highest global opening for any animated title in Disney history, 6th highest opening of all-time in China, and set a new benchmark with the largest animated non-local debut ever in China. Additionally, it ranks as the second-biggest non-local film opening of all time in China, trailing only Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Endgame in 2019.

Building on the success of the original film — which earned over $1 billion globally in 2016 and won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature — Zootopia 2 surged to a global opening 239% ahead of its predecessor. This performance underscores the enduring strength of the franchise and the universal popularity of its characters and world, which extends across multiple segments of Disney’s business, including Experiences and consumer products.

Zootopia 2’s record-breaking debut now anchors the holiday theatrical season, setting the stage for an unforgettable finish to 2025. With Avatar: Fire & Ash from 20th Century Studios arriving on December 19, Disney is positioned for a powerful one-two punch to close out the year.

This weekend, 20^th Century Studios’ Predator: Badlands opened No. 1 at the global box office with an estimated $80 million, delivering the strongest global opening in the Predator franchise’s nearly 40-year history. The opening also helped power The Walt Disney Studios past the $4 billion mark at the global box office for the fourth consecutive year.

Predator: Badlands also opened No. 1 at the domestic box office with an estimated $40 million in ticket sales, which is also a record for the Predator franchise. Internationally, the film brought in an estimated $40 million in box office receipts as well.

This is the first Predator film to open theatrically after Disney’s acquisition of 21^st Century Fox in 2019, and the level of opening reflects the strength and value of this long-term franchise to the theatrical market.

But, this isn’t the first success that Disney has had with the franchise, as Predator: Badlands — from director Dan Trachtenberg — comes after Disney has already produced two Predator installments that have been massive hits on streaming.

In 2020, Steve Asbell, President, 20^th Century Studios, and Scott Aversano, Executive Vice President, 20^th Century Studios, began developing Prey — set in the Comanche Nation 300 years ago — with Trachtenberg and screenwriter Patrick Aison. Produced by Trachtenberg and Ben Rosenblatt, the film was released on Hulu in 2022 to critical acclaim — evidenced by a 94% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes — and commercial success, becoming the service’s biggest debut at the time of its release.

Based on that success, Trachtenberg pitched two exciting new Predator ideas that were not traditional sequels: an animated anthology film, and a new, riskier concept for a story where the Predator would be seen like never before: as the protagonist.

Disney agreed and immediately began developing both projects.

That animated anthology film became Predator: Killer of Killers, which was released on Hulu in June 2025 to extraordinary acclaim, garnering a 95% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. The film was also a tremendous success in terms of viewership on the platform.

In 2023, the team of director Trachtenberg, writer Aison, and producer Rosenblatt reassembled to begin development on Predator: Badlands. Beyond its already extraordinary theatrical success, this film continues the streak of acclaimed Predator installments, sitting at a stellar 95% “Verified Moviegoer” rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and an 85% critics score on the service.

Predator: Badlands has kicked off the fall box office in a big way, and that’s not all that’s coming from Disney.

Later this month, on November 26, Walt Disney Animation Studios is releasing the highly anticipated Zootopia 2, the sequel to the billion dollar-grossing Zootopia.

And, on December 19, 20^th Century Studios will be back with Avatar: Fire and Ash from legendary filmmaker James Cameron. This is the third installment of the Avatar franchise, which has not only pioneered groundbreakingly innovative cinematic techniques, but is also a box office juggernaut, with the previous two films in the franchise accounting for two of the three biggest box office hauls globally of all time.

Marvel’s first family has blasted off in fantastic fashion with $218 million in its opening weekend at the box office.

Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps — which is the iconic Super Hero team’s introduction to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) following The Walt Disney Company’s 2019 acquisition of 21 Century Fox — grossed $118 million at the domestic box office this weekend, with an additional $100 million on the international side.

This makes it the 37 consecutive title from the MCU to open No. 1 at the box office.

And, The Walt Disney Company has now passed $3 billion at the box office in 2025. This is the fourth consecutive year that Disney achieved this milestone, currently sitting at $3.19 billion globally in ticket sales.

The unique, 1960’s-inspired, retro-futuristic look of The Fantastic Four: First Steps lends itself to being seen on the big screen, and domestic audiences took advantage of that opportunity, with 46% of the total box office coming from Premium Large Format, IMAX, 3D, or specialty formats (4DX, D-Box, ScreenX). The film showed in 4,125 locations domestically.

The Fantastic Four’s introduction to the MCU has been welcomed by critics and fans alike, as The Fantastic Four: First Steps is Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with an 88% Critics Score and a 93% Verified Audience score.

It’s also holding a strong A- CinemaScore, while PostTrak reports 4.5 out of 5 stars across all segments, with 86% Total Positive reviews and 62% reporting that the new film is “Excellent.”

“Every big storyline that we’ve adapted to make our films, the Fantastic Four appeared in some version of them in the comics, from the Avengers to the Infinity Gauntlet to Civil War,” Kevin Feige, producer and President, Marvel Studios said. “But they weren’t in any of the movies because we didn’t have the rights to them. [Once we gained the rights to the characters], that gave us a huge opportunity to establish them, on their own, in an alternate universe.”

Fans of The Fantastic Four can also see the super team beyond the big screen. Guests visiting Disneyland Park currently have the opportunity to encounter the first family of Super Heroes as they make select appearances in Tomorrowland. They’re joined in the area alongside their cute, faithful robot assistant H.E.R.B.I.E., with select appearances also coming soon to Disneyland Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland Resort.

Set in a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, the movie begins four years after Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) were exposed to cosmic rays that gave them extraordinary abilities and powers. Known individually as Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch, and The Thing, respectively, the team is collectively known as The Fantastic Four.

In this alternate universe — Earth-828, to be precise — they are celebrities and leaders who inspire and protect the people of Earth. But, first and foremost, they are a real family with real problems. They stretch themselves too thin. They don’t always feel seen. They can be hotheaded. Things can get under their rock-hard skin. But at the end of the day, they always have each other’s backs — and that’s never truer than when a cosmic entity, Galactus (Ralph Ineson), threatens to devour Earth and steal Reed and Sue’s son, Franklin.

Everyone’s favorite rambunctious little blue alien has crossed an important milestone.

The Walt Disney Studios’ live-action reimagining of Lilo & Stitch has officially crossed the $1 billion mark at the global box office, making it the first Motion Picture Association (MPA) title of 2025 to reach the milestone. The film now stands as the #1 MPA release of the year both globally and internationally.

This achievement marks a significant moment for Disney, which has now delivered four billion-dollar films in the past 13 months. Alongside Lilo & Stitch, the studio’s recent billion-dollar hits include Moana 2 from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Marvel Studios’ Deadpool & Wolverine, and Disney and Pixar’s Inside Out 2.

“We knew there was a lot of love for Lilo & Stitch with audiences around the world, yet we never take that for granted, and we’re proud of how this new film has connected with people,” Alan Bergman, Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment, said. “I’m thankful to our filmmakers, our cast, and all on our Studio team who have made this film such a success, and we look forward to more adventures with these characters ahead.”

Domestically, Lilo & Stitchopened with a staggering $183 million over four days, setting a new record for the biggest Memorial Day weekend debut in history. It is one of only two films this year to surpass $400 million at the North American box office.

The film’s success has reignited global interest in the Lilo & Stitch franchise. Viewership of the original 2002 animated film and related content on Disney+ has surged, with more than 640 million hours streamed globally. A sequel to the live-action film is already in development.

“Stitch is an example of what Disney actually does best,” David Greenbaum, President of Disney Live Action and 20th Century Studios, said in May. “An extraordinary animated film from 2002 that becomes a series that then over time creates a real fanship, which leads to us looking at the idea of creating this wonderful film that we now are bringing out to the world.”

Lilo & Stitch’s performance underscores the studio’s continued box office dominance as well as its ability to revitalize beloved classic stories for new generations. The film’s success also reinforces the global reach of the Disney brand showcasing the company’s ability to craft stories that touch multiple parts of Disney’s businesses from theatrical to streaming to experiences to consumer products.

It was a record-setting weekend for The Walt Disney Company and its lovable and rambunctious little blue alien, Stitch.

Lilo & Stitch, the live-action reimagining of the 2002 animated classic, opened as the No. 1 film around the world and has earned an outstanding $361.3 million worldwide to date, which includes a $182.7 million in North America. The film’s debut not only smashed industry expectations, but it also set the record as the largest 4-day Memorial Day weekend opening of all time domestically.

On Memorial Day, Lilo & Stitch took in $37 million, making it the fourth highest-grossing domestic Monday in industry history.

“The love that people have for Lilo & Stitch continues to grow, and the goal with this new retelling was for audiences to be able to enjoy these characters on the big screen again and hopefully have just as much fun watching it as we had making it,” Alan Bergman, co-chairman, Disney Entertainment, said. “We are tremendously proud of this history-making launch, and I want to give my thanks to our teams who have done such great work as well as to the fans who have made this exceptional opening possible.”

With the record opening of Lilo & Stitch this weekend, The Walt Disney Studios has crossed $2 billion at the global box office, becoming the first studios in 2025 to achieve this milestone.

The film — which was directed by Dean Fleischer Camp and stars Maia Kealoha as Lilo and Sydney Elizebeth Agudong as Nani — was the third highest Disney Live Action global opening of all time behind blockbusters The Lion King in 2019 and Beauty and the Beast in 2017. Overall, Disney now owns eight of the top ten PG openings ever.

Lilo & Stitch also notched an exceptional response from audience. The film holds a 93% “Verified Audience” score on Rotten Tomatoes and garnered an “A” CinemaScore.

The film’s historic weekend is another example of the power of Stitch — one of Disney’s most beloved characters and biggest brands.

“Stitch is an example of what Disney actually does best,” David Greenbaum, President of Disney Live Action and 20th Century Studios, said last week. “An extraordinary animated film from 2002 that becomes a series that then over time creates a real fanship, which leads to us looking at the idea of creating this wonderful film that we now are bringing out to the world.”

Producer Jonathan Eirich added that the film is a “perfect kickoff to summer.”

“This movie is such an emotional roller coaster. It’s fun, it’s chaotic, and it has so much heart,” he said. “We talk a lot about the experience of laughing and crying with other people in a cinema — there’s nothing like it.”

This week, The Walt Disney Studios reached a major milestone as it crossed $2 billion at the domestic box office. That makes Disney the first studio to cross the threshold this year and it is only the second time that any studio has surpassed $2 billion since 2019 (with Disney also achieving the feat in 2022). The studio expects to cross the $5 billion mark globally this weekend as it debuts Mufasa: The Lion King and the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown.

Disney’s massive year at the ticket booth was powered by the company’s creative strength and storytelling to craft three of the top five highest-grossing films domestically in 2024. Pixar Animation Studios’ Inside Out 2 became the highest grossing animated film of all time, Marvel Studios’ Deadpool & Wolverine followed suit by becoming the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time, and Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Moana 2 was the highest 5-day opening of all time and the highest Thanksgiving opening weekend box office ever. The studio also released hits such as 20^th Century Studios’ Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and Alien: Romulus, as well as smaller films such as A Real Pain, which had an award-winning debut at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year.

We spoke with Alan Bergman, co-chairman, Disney Entertainment, to learn more about Disney’s record year, the strategies behind the successes, and what audiences can expect from The Walt Disney Studios in 2025.

One of the company’s building opportunities was “improving the output and economics of our film studios.” How has this year been a success in that area?

We remain focused on quality while making sure we have the right volume across theatrical and streaming, and the results speak for themselves. We had a great year in 2024 and will lead the industry once again at the box office thanks to the exceptional performance of Inside Out 2, Deadpool & Wolverine, and Moana 2, and other big releases like Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and Alien: Romulus.

We finish off the year with two fantastic yet completely different films, Mufasa and A Complete Unknown. We also had a strong streaming slate from Echo and Agatha All Along to Skeleton Crew and Dream Productions, which just came out. It shows the power of our brands which can deliver compelling storytelling to our audiences all around the world.

What kind of a mix are you looking for in the slate? 

Our goal is to offer something for all audiences. We have seven world-class production studios and work with the best directors, producers, writers, and actors in the world, and we aim to put together a broad slate of originals, sequels, and spinoffs. We know that our Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars branded content is able to drive experiences and engagement far beyond the big screen, including in our parks, consumer products, streaming, and more — and no other company is better able to bring that to life than Disney.

Speaking of animation, it was a pretty big year led by Inside Out 2 and Moana 2. What’s your view on that? 

Animation is obviously a cornerstone of the Walt Disney Studios and the company, and something that audiences closely associate with us. The success of Inside Out 2 and Moana 2 shows without a doubt that animation remains a huge draw for viewers. Our animation studios continue to have a unique ability to create compelling franchises like these, which were both introduced to audiences less than a decade ago.

Whether it’s an original or a sequel, it ultimately it comes down to having a great story to tell. That is what keeps them in the zeitgeist and is why Moana, for example, was the most viewed movie across all streaming platforms last year. We are fortunate to have incredibly talented teams at both Disney Animation and Pixar that bring these wonderful films to life.

Mufasa: The Lion King debuts this weekend. What can you tell us about it?

The story is so surprising and full of heart — a fresh perspective on one of Disney’s most iconic tales. We have a phenomenally talented director in Barry Jenkins and wonderful music from Lin-Manuel Miranda. It’s a visual masterpiece. I am excited for people to finally have the chance to experience it this holiday season.

Disney has also seen critical acclaim from smaller films such as A Real Pain and A Complete Unknown, among others. How do films like these fit into the strategy?

We could not be prouder of these films and the Searchlight team that continues to put together a slate of incredible movies from the very best filmmakers in the world. Searchlight has a unique role within our studio, and this is what we mean when we say we have something for everyone. These are high-quality, lower-budget films that appeal to more mature audiences. And of course, we’re film fans, and it’s very gratifying when these movies find themselves in the awards conversation.

What can audiences expect from The Walt Disney Studios in 2025?

We have a highly anticipated slate of films and series ahead. On the film side, Marvel Studios’ has Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts*, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps. We have Snow White from Disney Live Action in March, Lilo & Stitch in May, plus Freakier Friday and Tron: Ares later in the year. Disney Animation has Zootopia 2 and Pixar has a new original called Elio.

We have the third Avatar film, Avatar: Fire and Ash, in December, and 20th will also put out The Amateur and Predator: Badlands, and I’m really excited about Deliver Me From Nowhere, our Bruce Springsteen biopic. We also have some great Disney+ series from our brands including Marvel’s Daredevil and the second season of our highly rated Star Wars series, Andor. So those are just a few of the projects we have coming in the next year.

Moana 2 made big waves at the box office this week.

The Walt Disney Animation Studios film — which takes audiences on another epic adventure across the sea with Moana and Maui — opened at the No. 1 spot at the domestic box office this weekend, notching an estimated $225 million since opening on Wednesday.

That makes Moana 2 the highest 5-day opening of all time surpassing the $204.6 million of 2023’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie and the highest Thanksgiving opening weekend box office, beating Frozen’s $94 million total in 2014. It was also the highest 5-day Thanksgiving all-time box office, beating Frozen 2’s second weekend of $125 million in 2019.

Disney is now responsible for the top seven opening Thanksgiving weekends of all time as well as nine out of the top ten.

As for the global total of Moana 2, it has made $389 million worldwide so far. Moana 2 brought in the highest ever reported global animated opening weekend, beating the previous record held by The Super Mario Bros. Movie ($377 million).

Moana 2’s record-setting performance also keeps Disney’s hot streak going at the box office this year. The company is now responsible for the top three domestic openings of 2024, with Inside Out 2, Deadpool & Wolverine, and now Moana 2.

“Moana 2 has far surpassed our high expectations this weekend and is a testament to the phenomenon that Moana has become,” Alan Bergman, co-chairman, Disney Entertainment, said. “We’re fortunate to have an incredibly talented and hard-working creative team at Disney Animation who brought this new adventure to life, alongside our wonderful stars Auli‘i and Dwayne and great new music. This is a moment to celebrate, and we’re thankful to all the moviegoers and fans who’ve helped make this a record-breaking debut.”

Away from the box office, the film was a hit with audiences as well. Moana 2 received an “A-” CinemaScore and a Rotten Tomatoes audience score of 87%.

The success of Moana 2 is just another example of the might of the sea-faring franchise.

Since hitting theaters in 2016, Moana has consistently been among the Top 10 most-streamed movies of the year —and in 2023, the film starring the voice talents of Auli‘i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson crossed 1 billion hours streamed on Disney+. In fact, it was the most streamed movie on any platform in the U.S.

However, the franchise’s popularity goes far beyond her onscreen appearances.

Not only are apparel, books, and toys offered at Disney Store and other retailers, but Moana’s story continues across the globe at Disney’s theme parks and soon guests can enjoy Disney The Tale of Moana aboard the Disney Treasure cruise ship, which will bring Moana’s musical journey to the stage for the very first time.

“Seeing the popularity of Moana grow since it was released eight years ago is incredible,” Jared Bush, the Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios, said. “We spend so long making these movies, and everyone puts their heart into them. That people still find themselves in her story and want to be with Moana on the canoe, it’s a dream come true.”

Following a record-breaking theatrical run, Disney and Pixar’s Inside Out 2—the highest-grossing animated movie of all time—set even more records with its Disney+ debut.

Inside Out 2 drove 30.5 million views* globally on Disney+, based on five days of streaming, making it the No. 1 film premiere on Disney+ in 2024, the No. 1 theatrical film premiere on Disney+ since Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Encanto (2021), and the No. 1 film premiere of all time on Disney+ in EMEA (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa) and LATAM (Latin America). Additionally, excitement for the sequel drove viewers to revisit the original in huge numbers: since the first Inside Out 2 teaser trailer premiered to record numbers, there have been more than 121 million views of Disney and Pixar’s Inside Out (2015) globally on Disney+.

The coming-of-age comedy Inside Out 2 takes place inside the mind of newly minted teenager Riley (Kensington Tallman), just as Headquarters undergoes a sudden demolition to make room for something entirely unexpected: new Emotions. Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Anger (Lewis Black), Fear (Tony Hale), and Disgust (Liza Lapira) are unsure how to feel when those new Emotions—Anxiety (Maya Hawke), Envy (Ayo Adebiri), Ennui (Adèle Exarchopoulos), and Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser)—arrive.

Inside Out 2 is directed by Kelsey Mann, produced by Mark Nielsen, and executive produced by Pete Docter, Jonas Rivera, and Dan Scanlon. It features a screenplay by Meg LeFauve and Dave Holstein, from a story by Mann and LeFauve, and music by Andrea Datzman.

Released in theaters June 14, Inside Out 2 continued to set new records throughout the summer. In addition to opening to record numbers, it enjoyed a massive second weekend and crossed the $1 billion mark in just 19 days—faster than any other animated film ever. It remains the highest-grossing movie of 2024, and the only animated film to cross $1 billion internationally. The film has been a hit with audiences and critics alike, as it’s Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, has an “A” CinemaScore, and boasts a Rotten Tomatoes audience score of 95%.

* A view is defined as total stream time divided by runtime.

20th Century Studios’ Alien: Romulus — the latest chapter in the iconic Alien franchise — took the No. 1 spot with an estimated $41.8 million opening at the domestic box office this weekend, exceeding industry expectations.

This is the second biggest domestic opening in the current Alien series and the biggest opening of director Fede Alvarez’s career.

The film — which stars Cailee Spaeny and David Jonsson — was also a global hit notching an estimated $109.9 million worldwide.

This weekend saw The Walt Disney Studios hold both the No. 1 and No. 2 spots domestically with Alien: Romulus and Deadpool & Wolverine.

Alien: Romulus — which takes place chronologically after 1979’s Alien which was directed by Ridley Scott — follows a young group of scavengers who come face-to-face with the most terrifying creature in the universe.

Scott acted as a producer on Romulus, and “he’s been a great partner at every level,” according to Alvarez.

“At the beginning, he was the first one to really pinpoint the things that were going to make this movie pop. And he was totally right,” Alvarez said. “So, he helped me to zero in on the elements that needed all of my attention.”

Alvarez — who also wrote the film with Rodo Sayagues — added that “the whole point of this movie was to take back Alien to the simplicity of the beginning of the franchise, where it was, above all things, a horror movie.”

The new film was also a hit with critics, as it is Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

Alien: Romulus caps off The Walt Disney Company’s strong summer at the box office with Disney releasing the No. 1 title for May, June, and July.

The Walt Disney Studios now account for an estimated 42% of the Domestic summer box office, having held the No. 1 spot for 8 of the 16 weekends.

That includes the highest grossing animated film of all time, Inside Out 2 ($1.626 billion at the box office globally), and the highest grossing R-rated film of all time, Deadpool & Wolverine ($1.143 billion at the box office globally).

On top of that, another film from a franchise formerly under the 21st Century Fox umbrella — May’s Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes — earned roughly $400 million at the global box office.

Alien: Romulus is yet another example of Disney’s unique ability to produce creative stories while crafting must-see theatrical events for a global audience.

Marvel Studios’ Deadpool & Wolverine has slashed its way through the box office to become the highest-grossing R-rated film in history.

The film — which has Ryan Reynolds’ loudmouth Deadpool teaming up with Hugh Jackman’s iconic Wolverine — has brought in $1.086 billion over just 23 days, which gives it the title for highest-grossing R-rated film of all time at the global box office.

With the success of Deadpool & Wolverine, in addition to Pixar Animation Studios’ Inside Out 2, Disney now has the top two movies of the year and back-to-back $1 billion hits — making it the only studio to ever achieve that feat in a given year.

Deadpool & Wolverine is now the 31 film from The Walt Disney Studios (including 3 Fox films pre-acquisition) and the 11 title in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (including 2 for Sony) to reach this milestone.

Disney is now home to over half of the 55 films that have ever grossed $1 billion at the box office. In fact, Marvel Studios is responsible for the second most $1 billion films of any studio — behind only The Walt Disney Studios itself.

Deadpool & Wolverine started off mightily upon its theatrical release by shattering records when it opened to $444 million globally in July. That gave the movie the highest-grossing global opening for an R-Rated film ever, surpassing Deadpool in 2016.

Deadpool & Wolverine also helped Marvel Studios achieve a mighty feat at the box office last month. The Walt Disney Company’s Super Hero studio has collectively grossed over $30 billion at the global box office.

As one of the most anticipated films of the year, Deadpool & Wolverine lived up to the hype, garnering acclaim from critics and audiences. The action-packed buddy film received an “A” CinemaScore, is Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, and holds a stellar audience score of 95%.

Kevin Feige — Producer and President, Marvel Studios — said the secret to integrating Deadpool into Disney was to “let Deadpool be Deadpool.”

“People thought when Disney bought Marvel, ‘They’re going to shave off the hard edges. They’re going to make it all G-rated,’” Feige said. “Of course, that was never the intention.”

However, thanks to Disney’s dynamic portfolio of businesses, Deadpool and Wolverine have also popped up away from the movie theater.

The duo can be found at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Park for a limited time. Deadpool will also be at Disneyland Paris, showcasing Disney’s ability to bring popular stories and characters to life, and in real-time, like no other company can.

It was a record-breaking weekend for Marvel Studios’ Deadpool & Wolverine.

The film — which has Ryan Reynolds’ chatty Deadpool teaming up with Hugh Jackman’s iconic Wolverine —shattered records around the world making $444.1 million globally, including $211 million domestically.

That makes Deadpool & Wolverine the highest-grossing global opening for an R-rated film in box office history, surpassing Deadpool in 2016.

Domestically, it was the 6th highest-grossing opening of all time, the highest July opening weekend of all-time (surpassing 2019’s The Lion King), the biggest opening since 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home, and the second largest opening for a third installment behind only 2019’s Avengers: Endgame.

The Walt Disney Company has released the No.1 title for May (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes), June (Inside Out 2), and July (Deadpool & Wolverine)Disney now holds 5 of the top 6 opening weekends of all time.

As one of the most anticipated films of the year, Deadpool & Wolverine lived up to the hype garnering acclaim from critics and audiences. The action-packed Super Hero buddy film received an “A” CinemaScore, is Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, and holds a stellar audience score of 97%.

Director Shawn Levy said that the film gives fans want what they want in terms of action and laughs, but it will also include a warmth that ties everything together.

“I know people are expecting the funny; they’re going to get it. They’re expecting the action; they’re going to get it,” Levy — who is also a writer and producer on the film — said. “But the movie has a warmth as a result of the story we tell between these two guys where this unlikely friendship is built. That’s the piece I think people aren’t expecting.”

Kevin Feige — Producer and President, Marvel Studios — has crafted a universe of films that collectively have made more than $30 billion at the worldwide box office. The secret? Making great movies.

“Nothing strengthens the Marvel Cinematic Universe or perhaps any cinematic universe like a great movie,” he said. “A great movie is the answer to many cinematic universe issues, and Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman and our director, Shawn Levy, have made a great movie.”

However, Deadpool and Wolverine are not just showing up in theaters this weekend.

Starting Friday, the duo can be found at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Park for a limited time. Deadpool will also be at Disneyland Paris, showcasing Disney’s ability to bring popular stories and characters to life, and in real-time, like no other company can.

Marvel Studios has achieved a mighty feat at the box office: $30 billion.

Thanks to the amazing start of Deadpool & Wolverine — which has already made $211 million worldwide — The Walt Disney Company’s Marvel Studios has now collectively grossed over $30 billion at the global box office. The Marvel Cinematic Universe — which has produced blockbusters such as Avengers: Endgame, Black Panther, and Iron Man — is the highest-grossing film franchise of all time.

But the achievements for Marvel Studios don’t stop at the $30 billion number. Some of the other accomplishments for Marvel at the box office are:

• Each of its 33 feature films have opened No. 1 at the weekend box office domestically, with Deadpool & Wolverine poised to be the 34th.
• 10 films have grossed over $1 billion globally, while two films have grossed over $2 billion.
• Marvel holds the No. 2, No. 6, No. 7, and No. 10 spots on the list of highest-grossing films of all time worldwide.

Kevin Feige — producer and president of Marvel Studios — said this week that the one thing he’s learned over the course of 34 films in the MCU is to ensure each film has a moment that fills the audience with excitement and enthusiasm.

“To me, continuing to learn and to think as a fan and as an audience member is the key to being a great creative producer,” he said.

Feel the joy because Inside Out 2 is now the highest-grossing animated film of all time globally.

The Pixar Animation Studios film — which brings audiences back into the mind of a teenage Riley as she deals with a host of new emotions — has made $1.46 billion worldwide, surpassing Frozen II as the top animated film ever.

“Inside Out 2 is a quintessentially Pixar film, and it’s been amazing to see how it has connected so deeply with people all over the world,” Alan Bergman, Co-Chairman, Disney Entertainment, said. “We knew it was really special, but no one could have predicted it would reach these record-breaking heights. We’re grateful to all the fans who have made this the biggest animated film ever.”

Inside Out 2 now sits atop of litany of blockbuster animated films from The Walt Disney Company. In fact, of the top 10 highest-grossing animated films in history, seven were produced by Pixar or Walt Disney Animation Studios.

Inside Out 2 is also the 13th highest-grossing film of all time globally and just crossed $600 million domestically.

The film — which stars the voice talents of Amy Poehler and Maya Hawke — has had a remarkable streak of success at the box office this summer. Inside Out 2 opened to record numbers, enjoyed a massive second weekend, and crossed the $1 billion mark in just 19 days of release — the fastest ever for an animated film.

It stands as the highest grossing movie of 2024 to date, and the only one to cross $1 billion.

Inside Out 2 has also been a big hit with critics. The film is Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, has an “A” CinemaScore, and a Rotten Tomatoes audience score of 96%.

But the success of Inside Out 2 is more than just box office numbers.

The Walt Disney Company doesn’t just foster cultural events but creates beloved, enduring franchises thanks to the company’s expansive media brand. For example, the original film racked up $859 million in 2015 and earned an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, leading the Inside Out brand to go on to become one of Pixar’s most recognizable titles. The franchise has since expanded to shorts, merchandise, and attractions.

Inside Out 2 has been the story of the summer, breaking records at the ticket booth and delighting audiences around the world. Now, the film has reached a rare milestone: earning $1 billion at the box office.

The Pixar Animation Studios film — which brings audiences back into the mind of Riley as she deals with a host of new emotions as a teenager — has crossed the $1 billion mark at the worldwide box office in 19 days of release. That’s the fastest ever for an animated film.

It stands as the highest grossing movie of 2024 to date, and the only one to cross $1 billion.

Inside Out 2 will be one of only 11 animated titles to have ever surpassed the $1 billion mark — and eight out of the 11 belong to Walt Disney Animation Studios or Pixar.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to have reached this phenomenal milestone in record time, and it once again proves that global audiences will come out for a great movie,” Tony Chambers, EVP, Theatrical Distribution, said. “The film’s remarkable success is a testament not only to the incredible creativity of the Pixar team but an example of moviegoing at its very best.”

The box office achievement followed a hot streak in theaters in which the film had a record opening, a massive second weekend and tremendous weekday numbers showing how much Inside Out 2 has become an event for audiences.

Inside Out 2 has also been a big hit with critics. The film is Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with critics praising the film’s visuals, cast, and clever yet in-depth storytelling. It also received an “A” CinemaScore and a Rotten Tomatoes audience score of 96%.

But the success of Inside Out 2 will not end at the box office.

The Walt Disney Company has a unique ability to not just help foster cultural events and craft powerful storytelling, but to go beyond storytelling to build enduring franchises that stand the test of time via film, TV, streaming, attractions, merchandising, events, and more.

Since racking up $858 million in 2015 and earning an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, Inside Out has gone on to become one of Pixar’s most beloved and recognizable titles. The brand can be found everywhere from shorts to merchandise to attractions, and the love for the Inside Out franchise is only likely to grow following the record success of its sequel.

Pete Docter — Chief Creative Officer of Pixar and director of 2015’s Inside Out — has said that the first film has “continued to be part of the conversation” since it opened nearly a decade ago, which led to the creation of the sequel.

“We hear from people saying, ‘This movie changed the way I think about parenting,’ or ‘The way I understand my own existence’ and like, whoa, that’s pretty heavy for a cartoon,” he noted. “Maybe there’s more to be done with this world?”

Docter added that telling amazing stories like Inside Out 2 is “really the root of what Pixar is about.”

“We’re not an animation studio — we say we are, but ultimately we’re a storytelling studio,” he said. “You might think our movies are about cars or bugs or monsters, but they’re really about us at the core. They’re about our experiences as human beings that we hope will then resonate with the audience.”

Can you feel it? There’s a new No. 1 film of 2024 around the world.

Inside Out 2 — the Pixar Animation Studios film, which brings audiences back into the mind of Riley as she deals with a host of new emotions as a teenager — has made $728.6 million worldwide so far after two weekends of release.

That means that after two weekends in theaters, Inside Out 2 is now the highest-grossing film of 2024 worldwide.

The box office achievement followed a massive second weekend for the film in which Inside Out 2 brought in $101 million domestically. That makes Inside Out 2 only the seventh film in history to make $100 million in its second weekend. It dropped just 35% from its a record-breaking opening two weekends ago.

Inside Out 2 also had the best second weekend ever for an animated film and the best second weekend percentage drop for any film to open over $150 million.

Inside Out 2 has also been a big hit with critics. The film is Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with critics praising the film’s visuals, cast, and clever storytelling. It also received an “A” CinemaScore and a Rotten Tomatoes audience score of 96%.

Director Kelsey Mann said that he really wanted to direct Inside Out 2 because he “felt like there was more story to tell.”

“At the end of the first film, Joy asked the audience a question. She says, ‘after all Riley is 12 now, what could happen?’ Well, I wanted to answer that question,” he said.

Mann added that his hope for the film — which welcomes new Emotions such as Anxiety — is to “tell a story that made some teenagers lives that much easier.”

“It’s all about navigating those different emotions,” he said. “A lot of it is me trying to connect to myself as a teenager and all the changes that I went through at that time that helped me get through all the changes I’m going to go through as a director.”

There’s nothing but good feelings for Inside Out 2 at the box office.

The Pixar Animation Studios film — which brings audiences back into the mind of Riley as she deals with a host of new emotions as a teenager — is now the highest-grossing film of the year domestically, and it only took 8 days.

The film also crossed $500 million at the worldwide box office on Friday.

These box office achievements follow a record-breaking opening for the film. Last weekend, Inside Out 2 brought in the biggest box office opening of the year and the second-biggest animated box office opening of all time domestically behind another Pixar film, 2018’s Incredibles 2.

As for its global opening, the film notched the biggest global animated opening of all-time (when using current exchange rates and in like-for-like markets).

Inside Out 2 was also a hit with critics. The film is Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with critics praising the film’s visuals, cast, and clever storytelling. It also received an “A” CinemaScore and a Rotten Tomatoes audience score of 96%.

Pete Docter — Chief Creative Officer of Pixar and director of 2015’s Inside Out — has said that the first film has “continued to be part of the conversation” since it opened nearly a decade ago, which led to the creation of the sequel.

“We hear from people saying, ‘This movie changed the way I think about parenting,’ or ‘The way I understand my own existence’ and like, whoa, that’s pretty heavy for a cartoon — Maybe there’s more to be done with this world?” he added. “So, we tapped Kelsey Mann, who directed Inside Out 2, to think along the lines of the first movie, but in a different direction.”

It was a very joyful weekend for Inside Out 2.

The Pixar Animation Studios film — which brings audiences back into the mind of Riley as she deals with a host of new emotions as a teenager — made an estimated $154 million at the domestic box office this weekend.

That makes Inside Out 2 not only the biggest box office opening of the year, but the second-biggest animated box office opening of all time domestically behind another Pixar film, 2018’s Incredibles 2.

As for the global total of Inside Out 2, it has made $292 million worldwide so far. That’s the biggest global animated opening of all-time (when using current exchange rates and in like-for-like markets).

The film easily surpassed the box office opening of its predecessor, Inside Out. That film opened to $90 million in the summer of 2015 before going on to make $858 million worldwide.

Inside Out 2 was also a hit with critics. The film is Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with critics praising the film’s visuals, cast, and clever storytelling. It also received an “A” CinemaScore and a Rotten Tomatoes audience score of 96%.

Director Kelsey Mann said that he really wanted to direct Inside Out 2 because he felt like “there was more story to tell.”

“At the end of the first film, Joy asked the audience a question. She says, ‘after all Riley is 12 now, what could happen?’ Well, I wanted to answer that question,” he said.

Mann is following in the footsteps of Pete Docter — Chief Creative Officer of Pixar — who directed the first film.

Docter added that Inside Out has “continued to be part of the conversation” since it opened nearly a decade ago, which led to the creation of the sequel.

“We hear from people saying, ‘This movie changed the way I think about parenting,’ or ‘The way I understand my own existence’ and like, whoa, that’s pretty heavy for a cartoon — Maybe there’s more to be done with this world?” he said. “So, we tapped Kelsey Mann, who directed Inside Out 2, to think along the lines of the first movie, but in a different direction.”

That direction took the film towards new emotions such as Embarrassment, Ennui, Envy and Anxiety, who was voiced by Maya Hawke.

“This movie is just a force for good. It’s like a double rainbow,” she said. “It takes so many tough emotions that everyone experiences, not just teenagers, and actualizes those emotions in a way that makes them feel less alienating or stressful.”

When Pixar’s Elemental debuted in June it was more spark than fire.

The animated film—which is set in a world of elements and is centered around the love story of the fiery Ember and the wishy-washy Wade—made roughly $30 million at the domestic box office for its opening weekend. However, it didn’t attract the usual masses for a film from Pixar, a studio known for its litany of blockbuster hits.

But Elemental didn’t evaporate at the box office. Audiences kept showing up.

The film directed by Peter Sohn crossed the $400 million mark at the global box office last week. Of that total, it’s made $148 million domestically. That’s about five times its domestic opening weekend haul, which is a rare accomplishment in a theatrical world that sees most moviegoers buy a ticket the opening weekend.

In fact, it’s so rare that no Pixar movie has had a multiple that high since the one that started it all: 1995’s Toy Story.

Keeping the flame burning

A myriad of forces gave a boost to the long-term success of Elemental.

It’s been a hit with moviegoers with a 93% audience score on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes and it carries an “A” CinemaScore, which undoubtedly led to strong word of mouth. It’s also been a solid choice for moviegoers of all ages during a summer in which family films have been hard to find.

“After a disappointing opening weekend, we’re really pleased that audiences have discovered what a great movie it is,” said Tony Chambers, Disney’s EVP of Theatrical Distribution.

The box office run for Elemental is also notable since it’s an original story. Many of the highest-grossing animated films in recent years have been sequels or based on established franchises. Elemental is the first original animated film from any studio to reach the $400 million mark since 2017.

International audiences have especially embraced the film.

An international boost

“We knew we had a clear run throughout the domestic summer play period,” Chambers said. “And its global gross to date has been propelled by top performing international markets including South Korea, Mexico, France, and the UK.”

The film has made a $276 million internationally. That includes a whopping $48 million in South Korea. The film is the most viewed foreign film in Korea this year and the most-viewed Pixar film ever released there. It has reached 6 million admissions, meaning that one out of every eight people in Korea have seen it.

The film opened in Japan, its final international market, over the weekend and brought in $2.4 million, setting it up nicely for a run through the upcoming Obon holidays (Aug 11 to Aug 20).

While big opening weekends may get the headlines, Elemental shows that a true box office success story is about how a film finishes rather than where it begins.

“Recently it’s been more challenging for original animated and live action IP to break through,” Chambers noted. “But you can’t create a franchise without taking a swing, and no other studio has taken more swings than Disney.”