Social media is divided on a supposed connection between Disney’s Inside Out and Winnie the Pooh.
In 2015, Pete Docter directed Inside Out - the ultimate coming-of-age animation which finally got a sequel earlier this summer.
The original flick and its 2024 follow-up see a bunch of personified emotions administrating the thoughts and feelings of a young girl called Riley.
The initial emotions included in the movie were Anger, Fear, Sadness, Disgust and Joy while this year, Envy, Embarrassment, Anxiety and Ennui joined the party.
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Following the release of the new Pixar Animation Studios for Walt Disney Pictures project, fans have been taking to social media to have their say.
Among the praise, many have drawn comparisons between the Inside Out characters and those of Winnie the Pooh.
If you’re unfamiliar, Winnie the Pooh was created by author A. A. Milne in 1926.
The titular character, an anthropomorphic teddy bear, is thought to be inspired by a toy the writer bought for his son Christopher Robin as well as a bear they’d spotted in London too.
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The author went on to create more characters to join Winnie in Hundred Acre Wood, including the beloved Tigger, Piglet, Rabbit and Owl.
In 1961, The Walt Disney Company bought various rights from the author’s estate and Winnie the Pooh has gone on to become one of the company’s most profitable franchises.
But what’s the supposed connection between Inside Out and Winnie the Pooh?
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Some fans believe the characters of the former are inspired by Milne’s children’s tale.
This is because each of the Winnie the Pooh characters exhibits character-defining personality traits, coincidentally drawing parallels with some of the Inside Out emotions.
Much like Joy, Tigger is excited and happy while Sadness resembles the loveable, self-deprecating donkey, Eeyore.
Many believe the purple Fear from Inside Out could be inspired by the worrisome and nervous Piglet while others claim the hot-headed Anger could be inspired by the short-fused Rabbit.
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Unfortunately, Disney has never stipulated whether the Inside Out emotions are actually inspired by the cartoon Winnie the Pooh characters.
However, that hasn’t stopped fans from debating the likelihood.
Taking to X, one user wrote: “Inside Out is actually just Winnie the Pooh except super literal instead of allegorical.”
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“Tigger is Anxiety if we’re including the new Inside Out 2 characters,” hypothesised an Instagram user. “Between his little mantra, bouncing all the time, and wanting everyone to be friends with him it makes sense!”
A third commented: “I was definitely thinking this while watching the movie for the first time on yesterday.”
However, not everyone was on-board with the Winnie the Pooh and Inside Out character comparisons.
“Nope, Winnie the Pooh characters doesn't represent anything but Christopher Robin’s toys. It's not that deep,” typed one.
A second said: “They are not the same. This is the hill I’m willing to die on.”
Another user pointed out that it was probably ‘just a coincidence’, while someone else added: “You can do this with any character… really!!!”
So, what do you think? A direct inspiration or little more than a coincidence?
Tyla has contacted Disney for comment.
Topics: Disney, TV And Film, Entertainment
Ella Scott