Inside Out and Inside Out 2 have captured the hearts of viewers around the world, both being one of the best movies of their respective premiere years. The first film, which came out in 2015, follows Riley, who moves from the Midwest to San Francisco, and the emotions in her head — Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust, and Sadness — while they learn to navigate this massive change in Riley’s life.
After debuting at the 68th Cannes Film Festival, the first film received high acclaim. Both the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute named Inside Out one of the top ten films of 2015.
Grossing $858.8 million worldwide, the film was a massive success, to say the least. The film was nominated for two awards at the Academy Awards, winning Best Animated Feature. Film and Philosophy, a philosophical journal, recognized Inside Out as one of the best animated films ever to be made.
This high praise sparked a sequel, Inside Out 2, which was released on June 14th, 2024. The film follows Riley as a teenager, learning to navigate new emotions. The sequel has received numerous strong reviews from critics and has grossed $761.9 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film of 2024 so far.
Why Do the Inside Out Movies Resonate with So Many People?
The Inside Out movies use their platform to discuss our emotions. Not only that, but they use an imaginative, witty, and psychologically astute approach to represent what goes on in our brain. Inside Out makes complicated emotions that we feel but have a hard time explaining feel accessible.
In a society where the discussion of mental health is often stigmatized, this representation on-screen in such a widespread platform is quite powerful. This allows the film to appeal to audiences of all ages as learning to understand and cope with the complex emotions going on in our heads is a universal experience.
Movie Messages
Though the broader themes of the films are appealing to audiences, it is the messages that resonate with viewers across the globe and set the films apart from others.
The film’s most prominent theme is the profound exploration of the importance of all emotions for human well-being. It emphasizes that you need to experience the good and the bad and must be allowed to feel everything. You can’t avoid bad things or immediately fix everything, sometimes you need to acknowledge the sadness to cope with it.
This emotional acknowledgment is what has resonated most with audiences. Often the media portrays people at their happiest, creating the expectation that to lead a fulfilling life, you need to be happy all the time. The Inside Out movies debunk this notion, portraying a more real human experience, full of sadness, anxiety, and fear.
However, the films emphasize the importance of giving into these feelings so that you can feel better, not letting more negative emotions take over your well-being. The Inside Out films walk this line masterfully.
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Final Thoughts
Both Inside Out and Inside Out 2 have found resounding success and for a good reason. They bring something new to the big screen: an accessible discussion of our mental health for all ages. These tender, emotional, and heartwarming, yet witty films, bring viewers a much-needed emotional escape from daily life.
By blending humor and light-heartedness of animated characters with much more deep and complex themes, the films create a safe space for audiences to explore and understand their own mental health, fostering a new kind of self-awareness in a way that is both entertaining and captivating but also profoundly moving.