Get Ready for More Emotions: ‘Inside Out 3’ Announced by Pixar Writer!

In 2015, Disney and Pixar introduced audiences to the inner workings of a young girl named Riley’s mind in Inside Out. The film’s unique take on emotions — personified through Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust — captured hearts worldwide, offering a compelling look at how our feelings shape our experiences.

Riley’s challenges of moving to a new city, starting a new school, and dealing with the emotional turmoil that comes with change made for a powerful and relatable story.

Related: Disney Reveals MULTIPLE Characters Cut From ‘Inside Out 2’

Following the success of the first film, Pixar released Inside Out 2 nearly a decade later. The sequel brought new emotions into the fold, including Anxiety, Envy, Ennui, and Embarrassment, expanding the emotional landscape in a fun and clever way. Additionally, the character of Nostalgia made a brief, but memorable, appearance.

Much like the first film, Inside Out 2 became a major hit, grossing over $1.6 billion worldwide, surpassing even Frozen II as Disney’s highest-grossing animated film to date. With both films receiving critical acclaim, fans were eager to see where Pixar would take the next chapter in Riley’s journey.

The Confirmation of ‘Inside Out 3’

Since the release of Inside Out 2, fans have eagerly awaited any hint of a third installment. While Pixar remained tight-lipped about the future of the series, Inside Out 2’s immense success made it clear that another film was a likely possibility.

Last December, the release of Dream Productions, an Inside Out spinoff, brought some excitement to Disney+, though it didn’t quite capture the same level of success as the main films.

Now, Pixar writer Dave Holstein has confirmed that a third Inside Out film is officially in the works.

Related: What Pixar’s ‘Inside Out 2’ Success Means for Disney’s Live-Action Films

In a recent interview with The Direct, Holstein shared exciting details about the development of the next chapter. He revealed that while the focus has been on enjoying the success of Inside Out 2, the idea of continuing the story has been on the table for some time.

“Yeah, minimal. I mean, I would say that we’re still enjoying the the wave of fun, this second film. But I have no doubt that at some point a third, and hopefully, in my opinion, four through six, seven, eight, Inside Out should happen.”

Riley’s Growth and New Challenges

As fans of the franchise know, Riley’s emotions are at the heart of these films, and the journey of these characters has been one of personal growth.

The upcoming third film will see Riley entering a new chapter of her life. Holstein explained that this change will provide fresh opportunities for storytelling.

“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 a fascinating from a writer’s perspective, you’re given new fodder to create something cool.”

Related: One Interesting Group Is LOVING ‘Inside Out 2’

As Riley faces new milestones in her life, her emotions will be forced to adapt once again. The movie will explore what happens when the things that shaped Riley’s identity as a child start to evolve.

New Emotions Coming to ‘Inside Out 3’

As with each installment, new emotions will play a key role in Riley’s ever-changing state of mind. Holstein teased that two new emotions he’s eager to explore are Schadenfreude and Lederhosen. For those unfamiliar, schadenfreude is a German term for the pleasure derived from another person’s misfortune — a complex and often uncomfortable emotion that Holstein feels could add an interesting layer to the emotional spectrum.

“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 emotions promise to bring additional humor and complexity to the film, as Pixar continues to push boundaries with its exploration of the human psyche.

Joy’s Evolution in the Story

In Inside Out 2, Joy’s role as a central figure in Riley’s emotional landscape became even more poignant, especially as the character began to face her own fears about her place in Riley’s life.

Holstein revealed that this storyline resonated with many older audience members, who saw parallels in their own lives.

“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. And because I’m asking that question a lot these days, so I’d like to, I’m just glad that that resonated with people.”

Holstein’s intention to explore Joy’s fears further in the next film shows a desire to continue exploring themes of self-worth and emotional evolution, making Inside Out 3 more relatable to a mature audience.

As Riley grows older, it’s clear that Joy, too, will face her own growing pains and uncertainties, adding a new layer of depth to the character.

The Future of Inside Out 3

While it’s thrilling to hear that Inside Out 3 is in development, there is still no confirmed release date. Holstein noted that the gap between the first two films was nine years, and it’s unclear if the third installment will follow a similar timeline.

However, with the overwhelming success of Inside Out 2, fans are hopeful that the wait will be shorter this time around. As with all Pixar films, the process of creating a masterpiece takes time, and it’s clear that the filmmakers want to ensure the third film stands out as a unique and meaningful continuation of the story.

What new emotions would you like to see in Inside Out 3? Let us know in the comments below!