Inside Out 2 becomes the biggest animated movie in history

Inside Out 2 has become the highest-grossing animated film of all time.

The Pixar flick topped the previous record-holder Frozen II – which brought in $US1.45 billion ($A2.22 billion) during its 2019 theatrical run – after it generated $US601 million ($A918 million) in the US and $US861 million ($A1.3 billion) globally, bringing the sequel’s total box office earnings to $US1.46 billion ($A2.23 billion).

As well as crossing this milestone, the picture also broke another major record earlier in July after it topped Barbie’s global ticket sales, which has cemented the animated blockbuster as the 13th biggest movie in history.

Michael O’Leary, president and CEO of the National Association of Theatre Owners, told Variety: “The film’s stunning global success once again illustrates that audiences the world over will respond to compelling, entertaining movies, and that they want to enjoy them on the big screen.”

The film – which cost $US200 million ($A306 million) to make – is currently trailing behind Disney’s 2019 remake of The Lion King, which pulled in $US1.65 billion ($A2.52 billion).

Technically, The Lion King is a computed-generated film, though the studio classifies it as a live-action remake, and so is not considered an animated flick.

However, it is possible Inside Out 2 will supersede it, as it is only just about to hit theatres in Japan.

The film is set two years after Riley’s (Kensington Tallman) move to San Francisco, and follows the young teen as she begins her high school journey and deals with the range of new emotions that come with puberty.

Director Kelsey Mann recently suggested that a third Inside Out film could be made as the creative possibilities within the animated franchise are endless.