 Inside Out is a 2015 American 3D computer @-@ animated comedy @-@ drama adventure film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures . The film was directed by Pete Docter and co @-@ directed by Ronnie del Carmen , with a screenplay by Docter , Meg LeFauve and Josh Cooley from a story by Docter and del Carmen . The film is set in the mind of a young girl named Riley Andersen ( Kaitlyn Dias ) , where five personified emotions — Joy ( Amy Poehler ) , Sadness ( Phyllis Smith ) , Anger ( Lewis Black ) , Fear ( Bill Hader ) , and Disgust ( Mindy Kaling ) — try to lead her through life as her parents ( Diane Lane and Kyle MacLachlan ) move from Minnesota to San Francisco and she has to adjust to her new surroundings . 
