Ready to return to the world of Inside Out? Pixar‘s new spin-off show Dream Productions is streaming on Disney+ now, just months after Inside Out 2 made box-office history.
Many of the franchise’s stars reprise their roles, including Kensington Tallman as teenage protagonist Riley, and Parks & Recreation’s Amy Poehler as her happy-go-lucky ‘core emotion’, Joy. But how does Dream Productions fit into the Inside Out universe? Here’s everything you need to know about the show’s timeline.
Is Dream Productions a sequel to Inside Out 2?
No, Pixar’s Dream Productions is not a sequel to Inside Out 2. The four-episode animated series is an ‘interquel’ that takes place between the events of the original Inside Out and Inside Out 2. Like both films, it is set inside Riley’s mind following her family’s relocation from Minnesota to San Francisco.
The high-concept show fits neatly into the Inside Out timeline: Riley turns 12 at the end of the first film, while the sequel picks up a year later, as she’s preparing to start high school.
Dream Productions focuses on the “inner workings” of the Hollywood-style studio that creates Riley’s dreams and nightmares every night. It is framed as a workplace mockumentary, like The Office or Abbott Elementary, so leans into a more comedic tone than the Inside Out films.
Watch the trailer for Dream Productions below:
The official synopsis for the show reads: “Riley is growing up and when her memories need some extra processing, Joy and the rest of the Core Emotions send them to Dream Productions.
“Acclaimed director Paula Persimmon faces a nightmare of her own: Trying to create the next hit dream after being paired up with Xeni, a smug daydream director looking to step up into the big leagues of night dreams.”
Child star Kensington Tallman is back to voice protagonist Riley, after taking over the role from Kaitlyn Dias in Inside Out 2. Amy Poehler, Liza Lapira, Tony Hale, Lewis Black and Phyllis Smith all reprise their roles as Riley’s core emotions: Joy, Disgust, Fear, Anger and Sadness, respectively.
The IT Crowd star Richard Ayoade provides the voice of Xeni, while Wine Country’s Paula Pell plays fellow director Paula Persimmon. Other stars include Saturday Night Live alum Maya Rudolph and Toy Story 4’s Ally Maki.
The show was written by Mike Jones, who penned two of Pixar’s COVID-era films: the existential Soul and coming-of-age flick Luca.
Will there be a Dream Productions season 2?
Pixar has billed Dream Productions as a “limited series”, which suggests there will not be a second season. The studio’s only current upcoming TV project is Win or Lose, a softball-themed show that is due to be released on 19 February next year.
However, Dream Productions may not be the end of the Inside Out universe, as it could pave the way for a possible Inside Out 3. The threequel has yet to be green-lit by the animation giant, but would likely follow directly on from Inside Out 2 by exploring Riley’s adventures at school.
Dream Productions is streaming on Disney+ now