Early reviews from critics are in for Pixar's Inside Out 2 and most are overwhelmingly positive for the sequel, paying particular attention to the new emotions: Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment, Ennui and Disgust.

Variety's senior artisans editor Jazz Tangcay posted on X (formerly Twitter), “#InsideOut2 heralds Pixar back to top form. Everything from animation to story and the introduction of Anxiety, Envy and Embarrassment make this one of the best sequels in ages. Filled with great laughs, plenty of easter eggs and lots of emotion. This is animated perfection.”

The entertainment magazine also reported that Inside Out will be released in a limited number of theaters worldwide where high dynamic range (HDR) is available. This means cinemas with LED displays instead of the usual theatrical projection systems. Pixar is also gearing up for an IMAX release.

Social media film critic Carla Renata AKA @TheCurvy Critic found the film “delightfully joyous and hands down the best @Pixar flick to date giving me all the feels lifting my spirits and mood to the heavens Maya Hawke totally steals the show as Anxiety with a performance that is undeniably fantabulous!”

High praise for Inside Out 2

Digital Spy's movies critic Ian Sandwell was hoping for the movie to heartbreaking.

Nevertheless, he wants to assure the viewing public, “No need to be anxious about Inside Out 2. The Pixar sequel approaches growing up in the same funny, inventive and affecting way as the first movie. It doesn't hit quite as hard emotionally (no “take her to the moon” moment), but it delivers a relatable message in a winning way.”

Toronto Star movie critic Peter Howell has chosen his favorites succintly.

“The more I see of #InsideOut2 the more I think I prefer the 4 new emotions — Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser), Anxiety (Maya Hawke), Envy (Ayo Edebiri) and Ennui (Adèle Exarchopoulos) — to the original five (Joy, Sadness, Fear, Anger and Disgust). They’re more creative,” he wrote on X.

Here's the bar… now reach for it

The Hollywood Handle believes Inside Out 2 has reached the bar the previous movie set and is thoroughly impressed by self-professed nepo baby Maya Hawke:

“#InsideOut2 is magical, emotional and visually stunning. They really managed to reach the high levels of its predecessor. The film has a huge heart and the new characters add the perfect touch to it. Maya Hawke is a massive standout,” the outlet stated.

Like Howell, Collider senior producer Perri Nemiroff picked the Pixar sequel as not just an early favorite.

“#InsideOut2 is absolutely brilliant. The first film isn't just my favorite Pixar movie. It's one of my favorite movies of all-time. What an utter joy seeing Kelsey Mann & co. expand the concept so successfully. It left me even more convinced that there are countless corners of/stages of life that are well worth exploring this way,” she wrote.

Anticipation is high for the Pixar sequel, with Fandango reporting that it has exceeded the previous movie's advance ticket sales. It's shaping up to be a big hit of Pixar, with Inside Out 2 having the highest pre-sale tickets since 2019's Toy Story 4.

Inside Out 2 will premiere in theaters June 14.