We are continuing our Disney Sunday Movie Night series with a discussion guide for Inside Out 2 (2024). This clever film takes us inside Riley’s mind as she navigates puberty and the new emotions that come with it: Anxiety, Embarrassment, Ennui and Envy. The emotions are deep, but the film is still fun and funny. In fact, we have found that the Inside Out films really help us share our feelings in a gentle way. Inside Out 2 and the discussion questions below have helped us to grow closer to family and friends.
Before We Begin… A Look at the Original Inside Out
We have already shared an in-depth discussion and activity guide for the first Inside Out with Inside Out Disney Movie Night: Emotion Sharing Guide. We built on that with Inside Out Movie Night: Extended Reflection Guide and How to Connect with Family: Inside Out Movie Snack Activity. Those guides can also apply to Inside Out 2, and we think there is some great stuff in there, so we encourage you to check those out. For now, let us get going with this discussion guide for Inside Out 2.
Get Ready to Watch Inside Out 2
You can find both Inside Out and Inside Out 2 on Disney+. If you do not subscribe to Disney+, we encourage you to find out if these films are available through your local library. We borrow new releases and old classics from ours all the time. You might be surprised at what you can find: ask your librarian!
Create a Cozy Environment
You probably know how your group likes to watch movies. Maybe you all like to cuddle together with fuzzy blankets, or maybe you just want some room to spread out. Do what works for you!
After the movie is over, try to create an environment where everyone in your group feels comfortable sharing. Gentle lighting and a seating arrangement (floor or chairs) where everyone can see and hear each other is helpful. Let everyone know that their thoughts are valued.
Add Some Tasty Snacks
We think great snacks can really enhance a movie night.
For an Inside Out activity and healthy themed snack, see How to Connect with Family: Inside Out Movie Snack Activity
For some fun popcorn variations and our favorite easy way to make popcorn, see Easy Popcorn Hacks for Family Movie Night
Prepare to Share
Try to make space in the discussion for everyone to share. You may want to remind the group that they are not trying to fix or outdo each other and that everyone deserves to be heard without interruption.
If someone share something difficult, acknowledge their feelings with something like “It sounds like you were feeling scared when that happened,” or “I am sorry. That sounds so hard.”
One thing you can do to help others share is to share yourself. Being vulnerable with your loved ones is like a gift of self. When you share your feelings, it not only helps your family and friends know you, it helps them feel comfortable knowing and sharing themselves. You will just want to make sure that whatever you share is age appropriate for everyone in the room.
Watch Inside Out 2
We hope that you enjoy Inside Out 2 as much as we do. When you are ready to talk about it with your group, move on to the following activity.
What Does Anxiety Feel Like?
We encourage you to adjust the following activity to suit your group. We think the acting part will work especially well for young kids, people who enjoy the dramatic arts and those with lots of energy. Warning: your teenagers may just roll their eyes when you ask them to act out their feelings… In which case, you can use this activity to focus on quite reflecting and imaging minus the physical acting portion.
In Inside Out 2 there is a memorable scene where Anxiety fully takes over control of “Headquarters.” Riley is playing in the final scrimmage at her hockey camp, and she is anxious to prove her worth on the ice. Anxiety pushes her to make increasingly problematic decisions, and we see the character of anxiety moving so frantically about that her motions become a jagged orange blur. We see on Riley’s face that she has become overwhelmed and panicky. After Riley has some time to rest and reflect, she shares her emotions with her friends, and we see Anxiety cede control to Joy.
Say something like the following to your Inside Out 2 discussion group:
We just saw Riley play a scrimmage at the end of her hockey camp. We also saw her in two different states of mind driven first by Anxiety and then by Joy.
Call to mind that scene of the final scrimmage. Close your eyes and see the part where Anxiety was in charge. What does your body feel like when you are imagining that? Are there parts of you that feel tense or parts of you that feel shaky? Act out that feeling.
Give everyone a chance to act out the feeling of Anxiety to their comfort level… or just to feel. Now say something like:
Thanks everyone. Now close your eyes and ask Anxiety to take a seat and rest for a bit. She can come back later if you need her, but we do not need her right now.
Imagine the scene where Joy takes over at the scrimmage. What does your body feel like when you are imagining that? Are there parts of you that feel light or loose? Act out that feeling.
Give everyone a chance to act out the feeling of Joy to their comfort level… or just to feel. Now say something like:
Thank you! Now, please find a comfortable seat, and let’s talk about what you just experienced. Remember, everyone’s experience is unique, and we are going to give everyone time to share while we listen to what each person wants to say.
Discussion Questions for Inside Out 2
The following discussion questions are based on the previous activity “What does Anxiety feel like?” If your group chose not to do the “acting” part of the previous activity, they should still be able to answer these questions. They will base there answers on what they imagined or thought around the two scenes described.
Tell us how you felt when you are imagining and acting out Anxiety. When is a time you felt like that in your own life?
Describe how you felt when you were imaging and acting out Joy. When is a time you felt like that in your own life?
Do you think Anxiety can be a helpful emotion? Please try to give examples from the film or from your own life to support your ideas.
What happened when Riley switched from being controlled by Anxiety to being controlled by Joy? What do you think caused Riley to change her behavior? How did Riley’s friends play a role in that change?
Towards the end of the film, we saw Joy invite Anxiety to release control and take a break. When are times when Anxiety needs to take a break in your own head? How can you invite your Anxiety to take a break?
Closing Inside Out 2 Discussion
Be sure to thank everyone for being part of the Inside Out 2 discussion. It can take a lot of courage to share emotions, and it is helpful to recognize that courage and the importance of what was shared.
