Inside Out 2 Is a Hit, But Laid-Off Staff Still Suffering

Inside Out 2 has achieved remarkable commercial success, grossing $1.6 billion worldwide, becoming Pixar's highest-grossing animated film ever. However, the victory comes amidst significant turmoil within the studio, as recent layoffs affected 14% of staff, with many workers expressing feelings of burnout and stress due to "unprecedented" production crunches. Inside Out 2's release coincided with internal cultural challenges at Pixar, where pressures to ensure the film's success resulted in grueling work hours for many employees. Additionally, some sources critical of Pixar's leadership describe a stifling atmosphere regarding LGBTQ themes in storytelling as the film's character Riley underwent modifications to downplay perceived queerness. This ongoing situation highlights the struggle between commercial success and employee welfare within the beloved animation studio.

The making of Inside Out 2 was fraught with challenges including significant employee layoffs, intense production crunch periods, and an internal culture that pressured workers to deliver a hit film. Many staff members reported working excessive hours and facing a backlash against incorporating LGBTQ themes, skirting the line of representation in storytelling. Despite the film's financial success, these challenges have led to low morale among current employees, prompting concerns about the company's future direction.

Inside Out 2, a sequel to the critically acclaimed 2015 film Inside Out, was released to help Pixar recover from a string of box office disappointments including Lightyear and Elemental. Directed by Kelsey Mann with significant involvement from Pete Docter, co-director of the original film, Inside Out 2 has been hailed for its emotional narrative yet criticized for the working conditions faced by its creators amidst a historically challenging period for Pixar, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic and Hollywood strikes.