Disney is overjoyed by “Inside Out 2,” despite the ire of its culture-war critics.

TFD – Disney’s latest hit, “Inside Out 2,” has set new box office records, showcasing the company’s enduring appeal despite ongoing cultural wars. As critics debate Disney’s direction, the film’s success underscores its ability to connect with audiences.

Disney’s most vocal critics may sound indignant when it comes to emotions, but “Inside Out 2” is making the company happy.

The Walt Disney Company has frequently been seen as an unwilling player in the cultural wars, leading to sporadic boycott demands and declarations that the business has grown “too woke.” However, the phenomenal box office performance of “Inside Out 2” gives important context about a large audience that is still insatiably thirsty for Disney movies, at least enough to produce a blockbuster.

Granted, those who frequently criticize Disney—which became embroiled in a political dispute with Republican governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, beginning in 2022 over the state’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill—have attempted to justify the Pixar sequel’s performance by arguing that its story doesn’t adhere to the “woke” line in the same way that, say, the studio’s most recent “Star Wars” series, “The Acolyte,” does. Notably, a campaign known as “review bombing” has been launched against the latter, resulting in a nearly absurdly low rating on the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes.

However, if you look a little closer, “Inside Out 2” has an easy focus on principles like inclusivity and diversity, which has contributed to Disney’s goal status. The Pixar division of Disney, which produced it, also had a less showy box office triumph last summer with “Elemental,” a film that explored discrimination, the experience of immigration, and a love story about overcoming differences via the allegorical romance between figures formed of fire and water.

Whatever the reason (and since “Inside Out 2” is a sequel to the first film, which is nine years in the making, pent-up demand is undoubtedly a factor), the film’s performance is undeniable. In just ten days of its release, “Inside Out 2” surpassed “Dune: Part Two” as the highest grossing film of the year by earning $100 million at the North American box office in its second weekend, setting a record for an animated picture.

The movie has made an astounding $725 million worldwide. “Inside Out 2” is very certain to join the increasingly exclusive group of films that have made more than $1 billion since the Covid outbreak, which also includes Barbie and The Super Mario Bros. Movie, as well as sequels to “Avatar,” “Top Gun,” “Spider-Man,” and “Jurassic World.”

Notably, Disney has made a conscious effort to avoid getting involved in political disputes. CEO Robert Iger, who returned to the firm in that role in 2022, stated to CNBC in November that “we have to entertain first.” Messages are not the focus.

Iger essentially said what was already clear: Disney, like any other large company, puts its stock price and earnings first, which means it tries to avoid upsetting potential consumers, even if some of them are willing to offend. Another group that Disney employees represent provides some context for why former CEO Bob Chapek ultimately decided to criticize Florida—albeit belatedly and in response to their insistence.

“Inside Out 2” appears to be a success for Iger’s approach, even though it still delivers messages in a less confrontational and more subdued way for those who are looking for any chance to strike.

In fact, Disney’s summer of 2024 is looking very promising. The superhero spoof “Deadpool & Wolverine,” which comes in July and targets an R-rated audience, is anticipated to be another big draw. This shows how diverse Disney’s portfolio is.

That does not mean, however, that individuals who have made fun of Disney’s Mouse ears will be less likely to criticize shows like “The Acolyte” and misrepresent what the “Star Wars” series does and does not do.

But it serves as a reminder that many people still view Disney as the pinnacle of family-friendly entertainment, and Mickey and friends won’t be going bankrupt very soon—that is, provided the company upholds its implied contract, woke or not.