'Monsters Inc. 2' Churns Out Release Date
Pixar's Monsters Inc. 2 will come out of the closet in 3D on Nov. 16, 2012, Walt Disney Pictures announced today, while another Pixar picture, The Bear and the Bow, gets a title change to Brave and a new release date, June 15, 2012.

Marking Pixar's fourth sequel following Toy Story 2, Toy Story 3 and Cars 2, Monsters Inc. 2 will mirror the holiday launch of its predecessor, only it won't open as early due to DreamWorks Animation's The Guardians (working title) occupying the Nov. 2, 2012, slot.

The first Monsters, Inc. was Pixar's fourth tremendous success. It debuted Nov. 2, 2001, and raked in $62.6 million its first weekend (or around $85 million adjusted for ticket price inflation). It went on to gross $255.9 million (which is comparable to nearly $350 million today), and it didn't hit DVD until Sept. 17, 2002.

Previously scheduled for Christmas 2011, Brave is reportedly about a defiant Scottish princess, and it continues Pixar's June release strategy. Pixar's next release is Toy Story 3 on June 18, while Cars 2 motors in a year later on June 24, 2011.

Pixar had a smashing success with Toy Story 2 in 1999, Toy Story 3 appears poised to continue that trend, and Monsters Inc. 2 should have similar "return-of-old-friends" appeal (Cars 2 is more questionable). With more sequels than original fare currently scheduled, Pixar is milking its brand credibility, which is currently the best in the business with ten blockbusters in a row from Toy Story in 1995 on through to Up in 2009. Those ten movies have grossed over $2.4 billion (or the equivalent of nearly $3.2 billion adjusted).

Both Monsters Inc. 2 and Brave are currently the only movies scheduled for their respective dates.



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Release Schedule: New Dates & Changes