Dream Productions being a prequel to Inside Out 2 makes the 2024 film even sadder

The following contains spoilers for Dream Productions, now streaming on Disney+Dream Productions being a prequel to Inside Out 2 adds a tragic layer to this animated film. Inside Out 2 reintroduces audiences to Riley a few years after the events of From the inside out. Nearing high school, Riley is forced to take an extra turn at hockey camp when she discovers that her two best friends, Grace and Bree, are actually about to go to another school. This triggers an internal conflict in Riley's emotions, which leads to the main plot and emotional ending of Inside Out 2.

In contrast, Dream Productions is a more low-key plot that focuses on the inner workings of Riley's sleep cycles. The show also takes place specifically between the events of From the inside out films, which means that Grace and Bree are more pronounced characters. This exploration of Riley's friends in From the inside out franchise has a somewhat bittersweet and quietly tragic impact on Inside Out 2 and builds the saddest elements of this film.

Dream Productions takes place before Inside Out 2

Dream Productions Being set during Riley's high school years is important

Grace and Bree's presence in Dream Productions highlights the show's status as a prequel to Inside Out 2, which also amplifies the latter film's bittersweet elements. Riley's life doesn't get much focus Dream Productionsalthough it is confirmed early in the show that she is still in high school. This means she will still hang out with her best friends Grace and Bree. Grace and Bree are consistent presences in Riley's life, with the three girls planning the next dance together and generally being reliable best friends.

Trying to impress them is even part of Riley's dreams, and the fear of their embarrassment or contempt drives many of her nightmares. The story ends with Grace, Bree, and Riley performing their coordinated dance and winning over their classmates, a sweet moment of affirmation for the trio and their friendship. However, This close friendship adds a greater layer of bittersweet tragedy to Inside Out 2as one of the great dramatic lines of this film is Riley discovering that Bree and Grace will attend a different high school.

Dream Productions highlights a key element of Inside Out 2's tragedy

The loss of Bree and Grace that hurt Riley makes a lot more sense later Dream Productions

A big part of Inside Out 2's Riley storyline deals with Riley facing the emotional fallout of Bree and Grace going to a different school instead of the one she will attend. Because of the timeline between the two From the inside out movies, there wasn't much time to show the impact Bree and Grace had on Riley. However, Dream Productions is able to effectively delve into this aspect of Riley's life. This highlights how important they were to Rileyestablishing their group dynamic and why it hurts Riley so much to find out this is going to change.

Inside Out 2 did a good job of illustrating this bond in brief moments, but the focus of the film was Riley and her emotions. This kept the pair on the sidelines. Although they remain in this support role in Dream Productions, the show spends more time highlighting how friendship works and why were they, they were so close. This adds to the sense of bittersweet closure that Inside Out 2 has, proving why Dream Productions works best as a prequel to this film.