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Whether it’s their more recent films likeElementalandTurning Red, or classic franchise powerhouses likeToy StoryandThe Incredibles,Pixar has a long list of acclaimed moviesthat are consistently referred to as some of the best animated films out there One such movie that is about to spawn its own franchise is Pete Doctor’s 2015 filmInside Out, which released to an enormous amount of both public and critical fanfare. Beloved by millions for its tender and honest portrayal of the feelings children go through, this feature really struck a chord with families across the world by being both funny and touching, which seems to be Disney and Pixar’s ultimate combination. Now, eight years later, fans are even more excited about the upcoming sequel than they seemingly were for the original release, which stands as a testament to just how well-received that original was. So, with all that in mind and news and speculation constantly revealing itself, here is everything we know aboutInside Out 2so far.
Editor’s Note: This piece was updated on July 22, 2025.
Inside Out 2
Inside Out 2 follows the emotional journey of a now-teenage Riley as she encounters new challenges and emotions. As her mind expands, so does the complexity of her inner world, where new emotions must collaborate with old ones to guide her through adolescence, creating dynamic and heartfelt experiences.
When Does ‘Inside Out 2’ Release in Theaters?
Inside Out 2will receive an exclusive theatrical release on August 15, 2025. This comes almost exactly nine years after the release of the original, with summer a perfect season for some of Disney’s biggest hits to drop.
The project was announced back in September 2022 during the D23 Expo’s animation showcase, in whichlots of exciting new projects were announced. The D23 announcement joined by a confirmation tweet.
When Will ‘Inside Out 2’ Be on Disney+?
Inside Out 2will be getting an initial theatrical release before it eventually comes to Disney+ sometime after. This will keep fans of both viewing mediums happy, with the sequel of a smash hit likeInside Outsurely deserving its time on the biggest of screens.
Is There a Trailer for ‘Inside Out 2’?
A 90-secondteaser trailer forInside Out 2was released by Pixar on November 9. The trailer, set toOzzy Osborne’s “Crazy Train,” quickly reintroduces us to our favorite emotions before seeing their control center being demolished in the middle of the night and the unwelcome arrival of Anxiety.
The full trailer forInside Out 2was released on June 21, 2025.
Who Is Starring in ‘Inside Out 2’?
One of the major factors in the success of the original was its talented voice cast, with an enormous variety of celebrated performers turning out some of their best work. For that reason, fans have been desperate to know exactly who will return for the sequel and, possibly, which new faces (or rather voices) will be joining them. Although the full cast list has not yet been revealed, it has been confirmed that the likes ofAmy Poehlerwill be reprising her role as Joy,Phyllis Smithwill be returning as Sadness, andLewis Blackwill be back in his role as Anger. In regard to the other emotions from the original, unfortunately, bothMindy KalingandBill Haderwill not be returning for the sequel in their roles as Disgust and Fear respectively. Their absence is due to reported contractual issues,with Kaling saying to The Wrap,
“I had a great time working onInside Outand am sureInside Out 2will be great. But I’m not working on it".
Replacing Kaling and Hader as Disgust and Fear will beLiza Lapira(NCIS) andTony Hale(Toy Story 4). Riley will also be getting a new voice, withKengsington Tallman(That Girl Lay Lay) replacingKaitlyn Dias, the latter having voiced the character in the first movie.
Also confirmed to return from the first film are Academy Award nomineeDiane LaneandKyle MacLachlanas Riley’s parents,John Ratzenbergeras Fritz,Bobby Moynihanas Forgetter Bobby,Paula Poundstoneas Forgetter Paula,Paula Pellas Mom’s Anger,Fleaas Mind Cop Worker Jake,Dave Goelzas Subconscious Guard Frank, andFrank Ozas Subconscious Guard Dave.
New cast members for the emotions ofInside Out 2includeMaya Hawke(Stranger Things) as Anxiety,Ayo Edebiri(The Bear) as Envy,Adèle Exarchopoulos(Passages),Paul Walter Hauser(Black Bird) as Embarrassment, and Academy Award nomineeJune Squibb(Nebraska) as Nostalgia. Additionally,Ron Funches(Harley Quinn) as Bloofy, a character from Riley’s favorite childhood TV show, andYong Yeawill be voicing Lance Slashblade, a video game character whom Riley previously had a crush on.
Voicing the humans ofInside Out 2areLilimar(Bella and the Bulldogs) as the popular girl Val Ortiz, newcomerSumayyah Nuriddin-Greenas Riley’s friend Bree,Grace Lu(Fright Krewe) as Riley’s other friend Grace, andYvette Nicole Brown(Community) as Coach Roberts. Also cast in undisclosed rolesSarayu Blue(Expats),James Austin Johnson(Saturday Night Live),Kirk Thatcher(Werewolf by Night), and Olympic Gold Medalist and professional ice hockey playerKendall Coyne Schofield.
What Is ‘Inside Out 2’ About?
AsInside Outcame to a close and Riley’s rollercoaster was coming to a gentle end, Joy spots a button that reads ‘puberty’ and hesitates to press it. It is that moment that directly influences the plot ofInside Out 2.The official plot synopsis forInside Out 2reads:
Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” returns to the mind of newly minted teenager Riley just as headquarters is undergoing a sudden demolition to make room for something entirely unexpected: new Emotions! Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust, who’ve long been running a successful operation by all accounts, aren’t sure how to feel when Anxiety shows up.
WithInside Outdoing such a wonderful job of tackling the emotions of an 11-year-old, it would only be right for Riley to have aged into her next most challenging period as a teenager. It certainly seems as if the mental trials and tribulations associated with our most formative teenage years will be challenged head-on, especially considering the aforementioned new emotions at play. For families across the world, this period in our lives, whether in our past, present, or future, is pivotal to who we are today, and can often come with some of our life’s most challenging emotional periods. Disney is likely to do just as wonderful a job at tackling this subject as it did in the first film and, with the current awareness and conversation surrounding mental health at its most positive ever,Inside Out 2looks like it will be a truly poignant movie.
While attending Disney’s CinemaCon 2024 presentation,Collider’sBritta DeVorewas shown the first 35 minutes of the movie.
Riley is a well-rounded 13-year-old in the first 35 minutes ofInside Outwhich were shown during Disney’s presentation. The leading character in Disney and Pixar’s highly-anticipated sequel is facing things like growth spurts, braces “with extra rubber bands,” and a strong growing sense of self. The emotions are more thanjoyfulto help Riley carry on with her hockey career and keep all of those unpleasant memories shoved way down deep where they’ll never see the light of day again. But, when the puberty alarm sounds off, the emotions find themselves in the middle of a control room demolition that they can’t stop. With huge changes happening in her social life and inside of her body, Riley steps into adolescence with her new emotions — Anxiety, Envy (Ayo Edebiri), Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser), and Ennui (Adèle Exarchopoulos) — and makes some new pals along the way.
Who Is Making ‘Inside Out 2’?
Inside Out 2stands as the full-length feature debut ofKelsey Mann(Onward) who has already plied his trade to numerous other Pixa projects includingLightyearandThe Good Dinosaur.Inside Out 2is written byMeg LeFauve(Captain Marvel) who returns after writing the original, with a producer credit going toMark Nielsen(Toy Story 4).
Where Can I Watch ‘Inside Out’?
Whilst fans wait patiently forInside Out 2, it may be wise to remind oneself of what happened in the original.Inside Outis currently and unsurprisingly available on Disney+. For those without a subscription, Disney+ can be purchased for $7.99 per month, with a premium no-ad version available for $10.99 per month. Alternatively, an annual subscription can be purchased for $109.99.
