Will 'Inside Out 2' be renewed for a third film? Fans speculate what's next for Riley

It won't be surprising if we are told that Inside Out 3 is in the works tomorrow. And why not? Given Inside Out 2’s massive victory at the box office, it's more than likely that the makers would definitely give the go-ahead for another sequel. 

Following the remarkable success of Inside Out 2, topping box office charts with an impressive $1.46bn to date, the film stands as this year's most successful release, overtaking previous record holder Frozen 2.  

What made Inside Out 2 such a big hit was how it made audiences feel connected, tapping into the emotions of their inner child. The movie addresses the nuances of growing up, picturing how every emotion is intertwined, reinforcing the idea of how humans are whole with all their imperfections, flaws, and strengths alike.

To speculate more about the chances of Inside Out 3, the director Kelsey Mann has already shared his thoughts on how Riley's emotional journey shall progress for a potential third installment. The thematic depth and contrasting undertones underlining the emotional phases a young individual goes through make the franchise ideal for further exploration.

The movie beautifully captures how our emotions work day and night to help us become the best versions of ourselves, pushing us to accept ourselves even during moments of anxiety and overwhelm. With a taste of reality mixed with perfectly timed humor, Inside Out 2 deems a worthy successor to its predecessor which equally won our hearts back in 2015.

What Could be the theme for Inside Out 3?

Inside Out 2 explored Riley encountering new emotions as she steps into puberty. With new emotions like anxiety, envy, embarrassment, and ennui coming in, a young Riley finds herself in a pool of mixed emotions that very much put her into conflict with her belief system and all her primary emotions at the headquarters. 

The narrative foundation of the movie is brilliantly set, resonating with both children and adults and diving deeper into the emotional turmoil a child goes through during puberty. While we saw Inside Out 2 narrating Riley's teenage years, Inside Out 3 could explore Riley at some point in her freshman years or her transition from high school to college. This could again bring a fresh set of new emotions, ones possibly nurturing the feelings of love, affection, and more. 

Another possibility could be something along the lines of Riley's Deep Dark Secret, where the movie ends with a post-credits scene showing Joy's brief conversation with Riley's Deep Dark Secret, without much clarity there. There could also be chances where we could see more of 'Nostalgia, with Riley reflecting on the good memories as she grows up. 

Although director Kelsey Mann teases a ‘Procrastination land', which explores Riley's young adulthood, there could potentially be more fresh narratives that explore Riley's experiences as she turns into a young adult. However, considering that Inside Out 2 was released after almost 10 years since the first version premiered, it's likely that the third installment won't be anytime soon.