If you loved the emotional rollercoaster of 'Inside Out 2 (2024)' and are craving more animated adventures that explore deep feelings, quirky characters, and heartfelt storytelling, you're in the right place! This article highlights 10 movies and shows that capture the same magic—whether through imaginative worlds, relatable emotions, or clever humor. Perfect for fans of Pixar’s beloved sequel, these picks will keep you entertained and emotionally invested.

Up (2009)
Description: Up shares Inside Out 2's emotional depth and exploration of complex feelings like grief and joy. Both films are celebrated for their ability to convey profound emotional truths through animated storytelling.
Fact: Up's opening sequence is often cited as one of the most emotionally powerful in animation history. It was the first Pixar film presented in 3D. The film won two Academy Awards, including Best Animated Feature.


Luca (2021)
Description: Luca shares Inside Out 2's coming-of-age themes and exploration of personal identity. Both films deal with characters navigating new environments and social situations while trying to understand their true selves.
Fact: Luca was inspired by director Enrico Casarosa's childhood summers in Italy. The film's visual style was influenced by Studio Ghibli and Italian neorealism. It features Pixar's first same-sex couple background characters.


The Good Dinosaur (2015)
Description: The Good Dinosaur shares with Inside Out 2 a focus on emotional growth and overcoming fears. Both films feature protagonists who must navigate challenging environments while dealing with internal struggles.
Fact: The Good Dinosaur underwent significant production changes, including replacing the original director. It features some of Pixar's most realistic natural environments. The film's story was completely reworked late in production.


Inside Out (2015)
Description: Inside Out is the predecessor to Inside Out 2, sharing the same universe and themes of exploring emotions and mental health through personified characters. Both films delve into the complexities of growing up and the emotional challenges that come with it.
Fact: Inside Out was inspired by director Pete Docter's observations of his own daughter's changing emotions as she grew up. The film was praised by psychologists for its accurate depiction of how emotions work in the human mind. It won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in


Big Hero 6 (2014)
Description: Big Hero 6, like Inside Out 2, combines emotional storytelling with innovative concepts about the mind (in this case, technology and science). Both films deal with processing grief and using emotional intelligence to overcome challenges.
Fact: Big Hero 6 is based on a relatively obscure Marvel Comics series. The film's setting, San Fransokyo, is a blend of San Francisco and Tokyo. It won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.


Coco (2017)
Description: Coco, like Inside Out 2, explores complex emotional themes through vibrant, imaginative worlds. Both films deal with memory, family bonds, and personal growth, using visually stunning representations of abstract concepts.
Fact: Coco's development involved extensive research trips to Mexico to ensure cultural accuracy. The film's skeleton characters were designed to be warm and approachable despite their appearance. It won two Academy Awards, including Best Animated Feature.


Zootopia (2016)
Description: Zootopia shares with Inside Out 2 a focus on personal growth and understanding different perspectives. Both films use their imaginative worlds to explore complex social and emotional issues in accessible ways.
Fact: Zootopia's development involved research trips to Africa and natural history museums. The film's sloth DMV scene became particularly iconic. It won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.


Soul (2020)
Description: Soul shares Inside Out 2's exploration of abstract concepts related to human psychology and existence. Both films use imaginative storytelling to visualize intangible aspects of life, such as emotions and souls, making complex ideas accessible to audiences of all ages.
Fact: Soul is Pixar's first film to feature an African-American protagonist. The jazz music in the film was composed by Jon Batiste, while Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross scored the abstract 'Great Before' sequences. It won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Score in


Onward (2020)
Description: Onward resonates with Inside Out 2's themes of emotional development and family relationships. Both films balance fantastical settings with deeply personal stories about growth and understanding one's emotions.
Fact: Onward was inspired by director Dan Scanlon's personal experience of losing his father at a young age. It features Pixar's first openly LGBTQ+ character. The film was released just as the COVID-19 pandemic began, affecting its theatrical run.


Turning Red (2022)
Description: Turning Red, like Inside Out 2, focuses on the emotional turmoil of adolescence, particularly in young girls. Both films address themes of self-acceptance, changing relationships with parents, and the challenges of puberty, using metaphorical storytelling.
Fact: Turning Red is the first Pixar film solely directed by a woman (Domee Shi). The film is set in Toronto in 2002, making it one of Pixar's most specific time and place settings. It was initially released directly to Disney+ due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
