How to watch 'Inside Out 2': See the top-grossing animated film of all time at home
In 2015, Inside Out explored the emotions inside the head of a young girl named Riley (voiced by Kensington Tallman) as she was trying to cope with moving across the country. Nearly a decade later, Joy, Sadness, and the rest of the crew are back — along with some new emotions — to help Riley deal with puberty in Inside Out 2.
The Pixar blockbuster took the box office by storm this summer and now, as of Aug. 20, you can watch the family friendly film from the comfort of your couch. Just make sure you have a box of tissues handy. Here's everything you need to know about how to watch Inside Out 2 at home.
What is Inside Out 2 about?
Pixar digs into the human emotion hellscape that is puberty in Inside Out 2, introducing a whole new slate of emotions to Riley's mind. Alongside Joy (voiced by Amy Poehler), Sadness (voiced by Phyllis Smith), Anger (voiced by Lewis Black), Fear (voiced by Tony Hale), and Disgust (voiced by Liza Lapira), new emotions have emerged to help Riley navigate this difficult time — Anxiety (voiced by Maya Hawke), Envy (voiced by Ayo Edebiri), Ennui (voiced by Adèle Exarchopoulos), and Embarrassment (voiced by Paul Walter Hauser). As Riley attends a hockey camp and is forced to confront some tough decisions about friends, the old emotions and new get into a power struggle, which leads to some emotional turmoil for Riley.
Get a sneak peek at the story in the trailer below.
Is Inside Out 2 worth watching?
Mashable's Belen Edwards described the film as "the rare Pixar sequel that truly earns its existence and deepens the message of its first film. And even though it may make you deeply, deeply, deeply anxious, it's also, quite simply, a joy to watch."
Other critics largely agree, with the film earning a 91 percent critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences love it, too; not only did the film bring in a whopping $1.5 billion at the box office, but it also managed to maintain a 95 percent audience rating. Oh, and no biggie, but it also became the highest grossing animated film of all time.
Read our full review of Inside Out 2.
How to watch Inside Out 2 at home
Just two months after Inside Out 2's explosive opening weekend at the theaters, it's available to watch at home via video-on-demand sites like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home (Vudu). You can purchase the film for your digital library for $29.99. It'll also be available to rent at a later date.
The benefit of purchasing the film, besides being able to watch it at your leisure, is the slew of bonus content you'll have access to. The digital version of the film includes an alternate opening, deleted scenes, behind the scenes of creating the new emotions, and more. However, if you'd rather stream Inside Out 2, keep scrolling to learn more.
As of Aug. 20, you can purchase the film at the following retailers:
Prime Video — buy for $29.99
Apple TV — buy for $29.99
Fandango at Home (Vudu) — buy for $29.99
YouTube — buy for $29.99
When is Inside Out 2 streaming?
While there's no official streaming date yet, we do know that — like every other Pixar release — Inside Out 2 will be headed to Disney+ eventually. Given its massive success in theaters, there's a good chance Disney will push its streaming debut to late fall 2024. Stay tuned, as we'll update this article when the official date is announced.
If you're not yet a Disney+ subscriber, you can prepare to watch Inside Out 2 or revisit the original film by subscribing ahead of time. Subscriptions start at $7.99 and we've rounded up the best ways you can sign up and save some money below.
The best Disney+ streaming deals
Best Disney+ deal for most people
If you're only interested in watching Inside Out 2 and not sticking around, signing up for a single month of Disney+ is probably your best option. You won't technically save any money, but you also won't continuously waste money either — so long as you remember to cancel your subscription after watching. Disney+ with ads will only cost you $7.99 for a single month. If you want to cut out the ads, it'll cost you $13.99 for the month.
Best Disney+ bundle deal
If you're already a Hulu subscriber, you can bundle it with Disney+ (with ads) for only $9.99 per month. That's basically like getting Disney+ for only $2 per month, saving you 37% compared to paying for each separately. You can take things a step further and add Max into the mix for a grand total of $16.99 per month. Or, if you're more into sports, sub Max for ESPN+ for just $14.99 per month for all three. You'll have to deal with ads, but for the price, it's hard to beat. To watch without ads, you'll have to pay an extra $10 a month for the Disney+ and Hulu bundle and an extra $13 per month for the trio bundle with Max.
Best Disney+ trial
Verizon Fios home internet users on the 2 Gig Streaming or 2 Gig Complete package can score a free year of Disney+ Premium (no ads), while those on the 1 Gig Streaming or 1 Gig Complete package can sign up for six free months. Check your plan and read about eligibility terms over on the Verizon website to activate the offer.
Best Disney+ deal for Verizon Wireless customers
Verizon Wireless customers can get a stellar deal on Disney+ through Verizon myPlan. Just add a Disney Bundle to your account through myPlan, which includes Disney+ Premium (no ads), Hulu (with ads), and ESPN (with ads). All three would usually cost you $18.99 per month, but by signing up through this myPlan deal, you'll only pay $10 per month.
Best way to get Disney+ for free
If you're a Total by Verizon customer on the $60/month prepaid unlimited plan, you get Disney+ Premium (no ads) for free. No terms or trial periods. Just keep your account in good standing and you get Disney+ included with your account. If you cancel or switch your plan, your subscription will end as well. If you're on the $50/month prepaid unlimited plan, you can also score six free months of Disney+, which is plenty of time to watch Inside Out 2. Want to extend your trial? Just upgrade to the $60/month plan.