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July 28, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Screen & Stage • Film

Inside Out

Inside Out is a 2015 American animated feature film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures.

Updated July 28, 20261 min readCited sources

Inside Out is a 2015 Pixar animated film directed by Pete Docter. It follows 11-year-old Riley and her personified emotions as she adjusts to a family move.

What it is

The film follows Riley Andersen, an 11-year-old girl whose emotions are depicted as characters who guide her thoughts and actions. The story begins when her family moves from Minnesota to San Francisco.

Why it matters

Inside Out explores emotional development, memory, and the challenges of growing up. It treats sadness as an essential part of emotional experience, not something to eliminate.

Key details

The film was released on June 19, 2015, and features five personified emotions: Joy, Sadness, Fear, Disgust, and Anger. They are voiced by Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Bill Hader, Mindy Kaling, and Lewis Black.

In short

  • Five personified emotions (Joy, Sadness, Fear, Disgust, Anger) run Riley's mind.
  • The story begins when Riley's family moves to San Francisco.
  • Pete Docter was inspired by changes in his own daughter's personality.
  • The film argues that sadness is a vital part of emotional health.
Canadian angle

Inside Out was widely released in Canada as part of Pixar's international theatrical distribution and became familiar to Canadian audiences as a major family animated film.

Quick questions

What is Inside Out about?
It is about an 11-year-old girl named Riley and the personified emotions inside her mind as she copes with moving to a new city.
Who directed Inside Out?
Pete Docter directed the film.
Who are the main emotions in the film?
The main emotions are Joy, Sadness, Fear, Disgust, and Anger.

Sources

  1. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2096673/
    Supports: Plot premise, main characters, and voice cast.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inside_Out
    Supports: Basic film identification, premise, and development background.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/inside_out_2015
    Supports: Release date, director, production companies, language, genre, and synopsis.
  4. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/inside-out-2015
    Supports: Plot summary and thematic focus on Riley's emotional adjustment.
  5. TIME — https://time.com/116970/pixar-inside-out-plot/
    Supports: Initial plot details, character lineup, and release timing.