Inside-Out 2 Was the Hit Pixar Needed, but the Laid-Off Employees Are Hurting

Inside Out 2 has emerged as a significant success for Pixar, grossing $1.6 billion globally and becoming the highest-grossing animated film of all time. This success comes after a challenging period for the studio, which faced COVID-19 disruptions, layoffs affecting 175 employees, and previous box office disappointments. However, the triumph of Inside Out 2 is overshadowed by the experiences of many employees who worked on the film. Reports indicate that the production involved intense crunch periods, with some animators working seven days a week, leading to significant stress and burnout. Laid-off employees expressed feelings of financial instability and emotional distress, as they were unable to share in the film's success. The internal culture at Pixar has been described as rigid, with a reliance on Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter, which some believe contributes to the studio's struggles with innovation and risk-taking. Additionally, there are concerns about the studio's hesitance to include LGBTQ themes in its narratives, which reportedly affected the development of Inside Out 2. Despite the film's commercial success, the working conditions and cultural issues at Pixar raise questions about the sustainability of its creative environment.

- Inside Out 2 is Pixar's highest-grossing film, earning $1.6 billion.

- The production faced significant crunch time, leading to employee burnout and layoffs.

- Many laid-off employees are struggling financially and emotionally post-layoffs.

- Pixar's internal culture is criticized for being rigid and overly reliant on Pete Docter.

- Concerns exist regarding the studio's reluctance to include LGBTQ themes in its films.