‘Inside Out 2’ Review: The Best Animated Movie of 2026 So Far

I’ll be honest: I was nervous about Inside Out 2. The original from 2015 is one of my favorite movies of all time. It captured the complexity of emotions in a way that made me cry in a theater full of children. A sequel felt unnecessary. But Pixar has a habit of surprising me. So on opening weekend (June 19, 2026), I dragged my friend to an IMAX showing. And I left the theater wiping my eyes. Again.

The Plot: Growing Up Gets Messy

The story picks up three years after the first film. Riley is now 14. Her emotional landscape has changed. The original five emotions—Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, Disgust—are still there, but they’re joined by new ones: Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment, and Boredom. Yes, the film introduces four new characters. The plot revolves around Riley’s first day at a new high school, where she’s desperate to fit in with a cool crowd. Anxiety takes over the control panel, and chaos ensues.

What I love is how the film doesn’t villainize Anxiety. It shows that anxiety can be protective, but also paralzing. There’s a scene where Anxiety creates a “worst-case scenario” simulation that’s both hilarious and terrifying. It’s the most accurate depiction of a panic attack I’ve ever seen in a PG movie.

The New Characters: Anxiety Steals the Show

Maya Hawke voices Anxiety, and she’s perfect. Her voice is high-pitched, jittery, and oddly sympathetic. Anxiety is always planning, always worrying, and always trying to protect Riley from embarrassment. But her methods push the other emotions aside. There’s a brilliant sequence where Anxiety creates a “Belief System” for Riley that’s based on fear of rejection. It’s dark for a kids’ movie, but handled with care.

Envy (voiced by Awkwafina) is hilarious in small doses. She’s a tiny, green character who constantly wants what others have. Embarrassment is a giant, pink, silent character who hides behind his hands. Boredom is a purple sloth-like creature who finds everything pointless. They’re not as developed as the original five, but they add fresh dynamics. I wish Boredom got more screen time.

The original emotions are still great. Joy (Amy Poehler) has a beautiful arc where she learns that not everything needs to be happy. Sadness (Phyllis Smith) gets a moment of triumph. And Anger (Lewis Black) has a running gag about his hair catching fire that made me laugh out loud.

The Animation: Pixar’s Best Yet

Pixar outdid themselves visually. The inside of Riley’s mind is more complex now. There’s a “Stream of Consciousness” river, a “Memory Dump” canyon, and a “Sarcasm Factory” that looks like a sitcom set. The new emotions are designed with distinct shapes and colors. Anxiety is a wiry, orange figure with twitching eyes. The animation of her fingers constantly tapping is a great detail. The IMAX presentation was stunning. The colors pop, and the textures are rich. This is a movie that rewards a big screen.

The Emotional Impact: I Cried. Twice.

I’m not ashamed. The movie has a scene where Riley’s old emotions realize they’re being suppressed, and they have to work with the new ones to save her sense of self. It’s a metaphor for accepting all parts of yourself. The final act is a montage of Riley’s memories—good and bad—that form her identity. I sobbed. My friend pretended he wasn’t crying. The message is simple but profound: you can’t choose your feelings, but you can choose how to respond. It’s therapy in animated form.

Is It Better Than the Original?

This is the question. The original was a revelation. Inside Out 2 doesn’t break new ground in the same way, but it deepens the world. The emotional complexity is higher. The humor is sharper. The new characters are memorable. I think I prefer the first one for its novelty, but this sequel is a worthy companion. It’s one of the best movies of 2026, period.

Grade: A. Go see it in theaters. Bring tissues. And if you have anxiety, prepare for a lot of self-recognition.