WARNING! This article containsInside Out 2spoilers.
Inside Out 2directorKelsey Mannrevealed the reasons behind the eleventh-hour addition of a post-credits scene to the animated sequel. While it has become somewhat of a standard for films to include mid- or post-credits scenes—a trend largely popularized by blockbuster franchises—Pixar had been embedding these additional snippets into their films long before, starting withA Bug’s Lifein 1998 andToy Story 2in 1999.
Theseearly Pixar filmsoften delighted audiences with fake bloopers and extra scenes during the credits, setting a precedent that has continued to evolve. ForInside Out 2, the post-credits scene provides a significant revelation involving the character Joy, who returns to a previously introduced location known as the Secret Vault. Here, she uncovers the truth about a mysterious element referred to throughout the movie as Riley’s Deep Dark Secret.
Inside Out 2
Inside Out 2 is the sequel to the 2015 original film, which starred a young girl named Riley with a head full of emotions. - literally. With Amy Pohler as Joy, Bill Hader as fear, Mindy Kaling as Disgust, Phyllis Smith as Sadness, and Lewis Black as Anger, the all-star cast brought to life the emotions that adolescents face as they grow, change, and adapt to new situations. This sequel, currently in development, will bring Amy Pohler back as Joy, with Riley, now a teenager.
Speaking withUSA Today, Mann disclosed that the decision to include this scene came directly from feedback obtained during audience test screenings. Initially, the film did not provide a resolution to Riley’s secret, which involved an incident where she burned a hole in a rug—an event contrasted humorously with Joy’s own mistaken assumption that it involved an embarrassing moment in a swimming pool.
I always loved the idea of leaving a little mystery with Deep Dark Secret and having audiences debate as to what the secret was. But the more we showed it, the more people were dying to know what it was.
Mann expressed his initial inclination to leave the audience guessing about the nature of the secret, hoping to spark discussions and debates. However, the audience’s strong desire for resolution pushed the team to add the revealing scene.
Pixar Chooses Comedy Over Cliffhangers in Inside Out 2 Post-Credits
Pixar’s approachwithInside Out 2is refreshingly different in an era where post-credits scenes often serve as springboards for sequels and spin-offs. Rather than teasing what’s next, the film’s post-credits scene delivers a comedic payoff, wrapping up an earlier subplot in a manner that is satisfying yet self-contained.
Post-credits scenes have become a staple in major studio releases, particularly in serialized franchises like the MCU, where they frequently hint at what’s to come. However, Pixar has historically employed these scenes differently. A memorable example is the 2013Monsters University, where a slug monster, after an entire film spent inching his way to class, hilariously arrives to find the semester has ended.
Inside Out 2 Review: A Creative Journey Through Puberty’s Travails
Riley (Kensington Tallman) turns 13 and experiences new emotions while attending a hockey camp.
Inside Out 2continues in this vein, focusing on the mystery known as Riley’s Deep Darkest Secret. The reveal, which resolves this lingering question in a humorous twist, underscores the film’s narrative without serving as a bridge to another sequel. This choice seems particularly prudent in light of growing viewer fatigue over endless teasers and unresolved narrative threads in other franchises.
Given the commercial and critical success ofInside Out 2, a third film seems not just likely but inevitable. Yet, Pixar chooses not to use the end credits to set this up, preferring instead to letInside Out 2stand on its own. This approach not only respects the audience’s intelligence but also preserves the integrity of the film as a complete story.
