Summary
- Inside Out 3 potential plotline could involve Riley going to therapy to address mental health challenges.
- Fans eagerly anticipate the possibility of Inside Out 3 despite Pixar’s lack of an official announcement.
- Inside Out franchise normalizes conversations about emotions and therapy, benefitting young audiences.
The funny and engaging quotes from Inside Out are just one reason why the Pixar movie was such a hit when it was released in 2015. Now that fans have gotten the chance to be entertained by Inside Out 2, which was in theaters in June 2024, everyone hopes that there will be a third film. Audiences became invested in Riley’s story from the moment she was introduced as a young kid scared of moving to a new place with her parents. Then, in the sequel, a teenage Riley experienced the new emotion Anxiety, and she learned more about herself in the process.
Although Pixar hasn’t officially announced if there will be an Inside Out 3, fans are hoping to see Riley in another fascinating and emotional situation. If Inside Out 3 gets made, therapy could be a major storyline, and there are a few reasons why this would work well.
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Riley Should Go To Therapy In Inside Out 3
If Inside Out 3 gets made, it has to move the story forward, and it would make sense for Riley to talk to a therapist. This would work if Riley is the parent in Inside Out 3 or if she’s a young adult in her 20s, an older adolescent, or a college student. Riley could talk to someone about the uncertainty that she’s facing, whether that’s becoming a mother, moving to a new place, exploring her career options, or feeling anxious or depressed. Since Inside Out 3 will likely feature a new emotion (if not more than one), Riley could talk to an expert about what’s going on. There are a lot of techniques that therapists use, from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to mindfulness, that would be interesting to explore.
Although fans weren’t sure about the new Inside Out 2 emotions, both Inside Out and Inside Out 2 normalize having big emotions and figuring out how to cope with them. Riley has been through a lot, from moving when she was a child to going through all the regular ups and downs of adolescence. It would make sense for her to want to figure out some strategies for coping with mental health challenges and getting through her daily life. This feels like the natural next step for a smart and thoughtful character like Riley.
If Riley talked to a therapist, this would also normalize therapy for Inside Out 3‘s young audience and show its benefits. According to Parents.com, it’s a good idea for kids to explore therapy if they’re spending time alone at home and not talking to their family members, if their appetite has shifted, and if they feel anxious about the world, among some other reasons.
While every Pixar movie is family friendly, the Inside Out franchise is particularly great for kids since it teaches them about different emotions. It also normalizes having tough times. If Inside Out 3 explored more grown-up ideas and had a storyline about therapy, then perhaps children, preteens, and teenagers watching it would feel more comfortable telling their parents about challenging moments they’re experiencing. They might also want to talk to someone who could help them get through these hard times. Inside Out is a lot of fun, but it’s also an example of the power of storytelling.
Has Kelsey Mann Talked About Inside Out 3?
In a November 2024 interview with Goldderby.com, Kelsey Mann talked about whether Inside Out 3 could get made. Although she explained that there are no official plans for a third movie, it’s interesting to hear what she had to say. Mann explained:
“We all have emotions. You go into different heads. Riley can be of different ages. There’s so much in this world. There are so many emotions that haven’t been explored yet. But we take these one at a time. So our full focus has just been on this film.”
Mann continued,
“There’s been no thought put into ‘Inside Out 3’ right now, but we’re just enjoying the success and getting to talk to people about ‘Inside Out 2.’ But man, it seems like there could be a bright future. We love this world. We love we love these characters. But even though there’s nothing in the works right now, you never know.”
Mann has talked about Inside Out 3 in a few different interviews. Every time she comments on it, fans have even more hope that this compelling and fun franchise could continue.
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