The Inside Out franchise has been one of Pixar’s most successful and beloved series, captivating audiences with its unique take on the emotional world of a young girl named Riley. When Inside Out debuted in 2015, it introduced audiences to a dynamic and colorful interpretation of the human mind, where emotions like Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust had a say in Riley’s decisions.
The film became a massive hit, earning over $858 million worldwide and winning an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
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The 2024 sequel, Inside Out 2, released nearly a decade later, was just as much of a success, grossing over $1.6 billion globally and continuing the emotional journey of Riley as she navigated her teenage years.
With its rich character development and exploration of complex emotions, Inside Out 2 proved that Pixar’s ability to resonate with audiences across generations was far from over.
Now, fans can get even more excited because Inside Out 3 is officially in the works!
Pixar writer Dave Holstein has revealed new details about the third film in the series, offering a glimpse into the future of Riley and her emotional companions.
A New Chapter for Riley
The core of the Inside Out series revolves around Riley’s emotional landscape, and Holstein confirmed that the third film will explore the next phase of Riley’s life. With each film, Riley’s growth is a central theme, and Inside Out 3 will see her entering a new chapter.
Holstein explained:
“In every new movie, you want the game to change, and every sequel, you want the game to change at its foundation. And what’s great about having Riley be the engine of this franchise is that she’s going to enter a different chapter of her life where the foundation does change. The things you want in life change, and who you are changes. Your sense of self changes. You know, it’s fascinating from a writer’s perspective, you’re given new fodder to create something cool.”
As Riley moves into a new life stage, Holstein teased that the emotional experiences Riley goes through will continue to evolve, with the emotions themselves having to adapt.
This change will provide fresh ground for new stories and deeper explorations of emotions as Riley grows up and learns how to handle more complex aspects of life.
New Emotions to Explore
One of the defining features of the Inside Out franchise is its exploration of various emotions, and Inside Out 3 will introduce more emotions that fans have never seen before. Holstein confirmed that two new emotions are in the works: Schadenfreude and Lederhosen.
For those unfamiliar, schadenfreude is a German term describing the feeling of pleasure derived from the misfortune of others, and lederhosen is a fun concept
Holstein wanted to explore, stemming from a mischievous character who enjoys laughing when others experience embarrassment or pain.
“I’ll speak for Meg, who wrote the film with me. Meg’s favorite was schadenfreude, which was, you know, a German emotion, and Lederhosen, who just laughed when people got hurt and conceptually, it worked really well, and they never made it in the final cut. It was very funny.”
These new additions promise to offer new comedic layers and a thoughtful exploration of human psychology in the next film.
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Joy’s Continued Evolution
In Inside Out 2, Amy Poehler's character Joy took center stage as she struggled with the idea of being replaced or no longer needed as Riley grew older. This storyline, while heartbreaking, resonated with many viewers, especially those who identified with the challenges of growing up.
Holstein shared his surprise at how much older audiences connected with the film’s themes, saying:
“I think the older audiences reacting to the climax of the movie where Joy says, ‘Maybe she doesn’t exist as we get older,’ You know, that was surprising to me how much that resonated with a wider audience. And, you know, my hope was that there could be a story in the sequel that was about what happens to Joy as she gets older, you know.”
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In Inside Out 3, Holstein hinted that Joy’s journey will continue to evolve as Riley matures. As Joy’s role in Riley’s life shifts, we can expect to see deeper emotional layers explored, perhaps focusing on the fears and uncertainties that come with growing older and finding new ways to support Riley’s emotional well-being.
What to Expect from the Plot
While Holstein has remained tight-lipped about the exact plot of Inside Out 3, there are several hints at what the film might explore. One major theme will likely involve Riley’s increasing complexity as she moves further into adolescence and adulthood.
Holstein has previously stated that the team is interested in exploring how Riley’s identity and emotions will change over time. “I think it’s going to be a fascinating place to go next, how those emotions adapt,” Holstein remarked.
Additionally, as Riley moves through different phases of her life, we can expect to see deeper interactions between the emotions themselves.
Just as we saw Sadness and Joy forming a bond in the first film, and Anxiety and Joy working together in Inside Out 2, the new film will likely focus on how the emotions work together as Riley faces the challenges of growing older.
When Will ‘Inside Out 3’ Be Released?
While Pixar has not yet announced an official release date for Inside Out 3, the wait is sure to be worth it. Given the success of the first two films, fans can expect Pixar to take their time in crafting a story that does justice to Riley’s emotional growth.
Considering that the first two films were released with nearly a decade in between, it may take several years before Inside Out 3 arrives in theaters. However, with Pixar’s track record of delivering top-quality films, the wait is likely to be well worth it.
What do you think? What emotions would you like to see in Inside Out 3? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
