Exploring the Success of a Popular Animated Film: Can it Outdo Super Mario?

Discover Vice-Versa on Disney +

Vice-Versa 2 finally in the cinema

France can finally enjoy the rest of Riley's adventures and his emotions, Vice-Versa 2 is finally available in our cinemas. The first part (available on Disney +) was an instant success and the critics were unanimous. It is the best film that Pixar has been able to offer, which earned it the Oscar for best animated film in 2016. It was no less necessary for the studio behind the project to do it again, especially since this sequel is already planning to perform better than the first episode. Vice-Versa 2 was released on June 14 in the United States and generated $155 million during its first weekend of operation according to GameSpot.

We can say that Vice-Versa 2 plays in the big leagues. Its launch was better than that of Super Mario Bros. of Illumination. The Mustachioed Plumber was released in theaters on April 1, 2023 (in the United States) and grossed $146 million in its first weekend of release. A more than commendable feat for an animated film. But the big number 1 in this competition remains The Incredibles 2 which for its part achieved 182 million dollars in turnover in the same period.

An innovative sequel

Vice-Versa 2 takes us into Riley's adolescence. She has just graduated and is worried about her future, triggering a major upheaval at Emotional Headquarters. Joy, Anger, Fear, Disgust and Sadness will have to welcome new tenants including Anxiety, who does not seem happy to meet them.

The film plunges us into the depths of adolescence, a period prey to new emotions and questions about one's self. If Anxiety was presented in the film's trailer, other emotions such as Boredom, Envy, Embarrassment will be there and promise to deal with themes that are rarely addressed in cinema and even less in animated films.

It’s a real breath of fresh air for the franchise which broadly follows the same formula as the first film. Kelsey Mann, the director of the first, achieved a tour de force for the first episode by offering a moving, deep and captivating animated film. This exercise should be repeated in this sequel, available in cinemas since June 19.