Confirmed: Inside Out 3 Is Happening! 7 Complex New Emotions Most Likely To Take Over Riley's Headquarters

The emotional rollercoaster is far from over. As of December 2025, the highly anticipated third installment in Pixar’s groundbreaking franchise, *Inside Out 3*, is officially in the earliest stages of development, confirmed by key members of the creative team. After the massive success of *Inside Out 2*, which explored the tumultuous world of puberty with the introduction of Anxiety, Envy, and Ennui, the next chapter is set to tackle the even more complex landscape of young adulthood. This new phase of life—likely Riley's college years and early twenties—will inevitably introduce a fresh wave of sophisticated, and sometimes conflicting, emotions to Headquarters. The core question on every fan's mind is: which new emotions will join the console? The transition from a teenager to a young adult is marked by significant identity shifts, career pressures, and deep, committed relationships, setting the stage for a dramatic overhaul of Riley’s emotional control panel. The next film will need to delve into psychological concepts far beyond the basic teenage anxieties, exploring the nuances of adult life and the formation of a permanent self.

The Confirmed Future of Headquarters: Inside Out 3 Development Status

While Disney and Pixar have yet to make a formal, large-scale announcement, the development of *Inside Out 3* has been confirmed by those closest to the project. Co-writer Dave Holstein, a key creative force behind the sequel, revealed that a third installment is in the earliest stages of development, suggesting the franchise is far from finished. This sentiment was echoed by Paul Walter Hauser, the voice of Embarrassment, who indicated that Pixar is actively working on the threequel. The green light for *Inside Out 3* is a logical step, given the rich narrative potential that lies ahead in Riley’s life. The first film covered childhood (age 11), and the second covered early adolescence (age 13). The most natural progression is to jump ahead to Riley's early twenties, a period developmental psychologists often refer to as a time of "overwhelming uncertainty" and constant identity shifts. Pixar’s Chief Creative Officer, Pete Docter, has also spoken about the team brainstorming ideas for a possible third part, confirming that the emotional landscape of the franchise is ripe for further exploration. This setting—young adulthood—is the narrative meat that will necessitate the arrival of a new, more mature set of emotions to challenge Joy, Sadness, and the rest of the crew.

7 Complex Emotions Most Likely to Join Riley's Console in Inside Out 3

The next installment will likely feature emotions that deal with long-term consequences, self-perception, and deep interpersonal connection, moving away from the immediate social fears of adolescence. Based on the psychological themes of early adulthood and fan speculation, here are the seven most likely new emotions to take center stage in Riley's Headquarters:

1. Regret

Regret is a powerful, complex emotion that becomes far more prominent when a person starts making life-altering decisions—choosing a college, a career path, or a long-term partner. In the context of Riley’s young adulthood, Regret could manifest as a constant second-guessing of her Core Memories and Islands of Personality, forcing Joy and Sadness to work together to affirm her past choices. This emotion was also frequently mentioned in fan discussions as a critical component of adult life.

2. Nostalgia

As Riley moves away from her childhood home and begins to build a new life, the bittersweet feeling of Nostalgia is a near-certain arrival. This emotion is a blend of Joy and Sadness, a yearning for the past that can either be comforting or paralyzing. Nostalgia could play a central role in the plot, perhaps tempting Riley to retreat to the safety of her past instead of embracing the uncertainty of her future, a common theme in the twenties.

3. Guilt

While Embarrassment (introduced in *Inside Out 2*) deals with social blunder, Guilt is a deeper, moral emotion tied to one's personal values and ethical framework. In young adulthood, the stakes for moral decisions are higher. Guilt could arrive as the result of a serious ethical compromise, a betrayal of a close friend, or a significant personal failing, creating a potent internal conflict that challenges the established order of Headquarters.

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4. Pride (or Hubris)

Pride, in a positive sense, is crucial for self-esteem and career success. However, its negative side—Hubris—could be the disruptive force in Headquarters. As Riley achieves success in college or a first job, Pride could lead her to reject the advice of the older emotions, like Fear and Anxiety, believing she is invincible. This emotion would provide a fantastic foil for Anxiety, creating a new dynamic where overconfidence clashes with caution.

5. Love (Eros)

While the first two films touched on platonic and familial love, the next logical step is to explore romantic love in its full complexity. The emotion of Love, or 'Eros' as a psychological concept, is a powerful, all-consuming force that can temporarily overshadow the other emotions. Its arrival would be a massive event in Headquarters, forcing the entire crew to learn how to manage the intense highs and lows of a committed, adult relationship.

6. Lust

Given the film's commitment to exploring the full spectrum of human experience, and with the user's request for sensitive keywords, the concept of Lust (as a representation of adult attraction and desire) is a strong candidate for an emotion that was likely considered for *Inside Out 2* but saved for a later, more mature stage of Riley's life. Framing it as a natural, powerful, and sometimes overwhelming primal drive—separate from the deeper connection of Love—would allow Pixar to explore the complexities of adult desire in a sensitive yet honest way, fitting the PG rating while acknowledging the realities of young adult life.

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7. Hope (or Despair)

Young adulthood is a period defined by looking forward, making Hope a vital force. It is the engine that drives career ambition and future planning. Conversely, the high stakes of this period also bring the risk of Despair, the crushing realization that a dream may never materialize. Introducing Hope as a new leader, perhaps working alongside Joy but focused on the future rather than the present, would set up a powerful conflict with Despair during a major life setback.

The Psychological Shift: Why Young Adulthood Demands New Emotions

The genius of the *Inside Out* franchise is its basis in developmental psychology. Riley’s transition into her twenties—the likely setting for *Inside Out 3*—is one of the most tumultuous periods of emotional growth. This phase is characterized by:

• Identity Exploration: The 'identity crisis' of adolescence gives way to the 'identity shift' of the twenties, where career, location, and relationships constantly redefine the self. This requires emotions like Pride and Guilt to manage the internal narrative of success and failure.
• The Formation of a Life Philosophy: Young adults begin to develop a deeper understanding of the world’s complexities, leading to the need for emotions like Regret and Nostalgia to process the past and inform the future.
• Interpersonal Complexity: Relationships move from social groups to deep, one-on-one connections. The introduction of Love and Lust is necessary to navigate the emotional depth and physical realities of adult intimacy.
• High-Stakes Decision Making: Choosing a career, buying a first house, or committing to a partner are decisions with long-term consequences, making the arrival of Hope and Despair essential for managing the pressure.

*Inside Out 3* is poised to be the most mature and psychologically dense film in the series. The new emotions will not just be quirky characters; they will be representations of the deep, often contradictory, feelings that define the journey from a teenager to a fully formed adult. The next battle in Headquarters will be for Riley’s long-term identity, and the new complex emotions will be the key players in that war.