Animated movies have a magical way of pulling audiences of all ages into theaters, and some of them have made jaw-dropping amounts of money doing it. From talking animals to superhero families, these films have shattered records and redefined what animated storytelling can achieve.
The numbers behind these box office giants are truly mind-blowing, and the stories of how they got there are just as fascinating. Get ready to explore the animated films that turned into massive financial legends.
1. Ne Zha 2 (2025)
With a staggering $2.22 billion worldwide, Ne Zha 2 is the highest-grossing animated film ever made. That is an almost unbelievable number for any movie, animated or otherwise.
Nearly all of its earnings came from China, making it a cultural phenomenon unlike anything seen before.
The film continues the story of the rebellious demon child Ne Zha from Chinese mythology. Its massive success shows just how powerful homegrown animated storytelling has become on the global stage.
2. Zootopia 2 (2025)
Zootopia 2 raced to $1.866 billion worldwide and became the fastest PG-rated movie ever to cross $1 billion, doing so in just 17 days. That kind of speed is almost unheard of in Hollywood.
Fans had been waiting years for a sequel to the beloved original, and they showed up in massive numbers.
Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde returned to charm audiences all over again. The film proved that great characters never really go out of style.
3. Inside Out 2 (2024)
Pixar struck gold again with Inside Out 2, which earned $1.699 billion globally. Even more impressive, it crossed the $1 billion mark in just 19 days, setting a record as the fastest animated film ever to reach that milestone at the time of its release.
The film introduced a new emotion called Anxiety, which resonated deeply with audiences of all ages. Sometimes the best storytelling is the kind that makes you laugh and cry at the same time.
4. The Lion King (2019)
Disney’s photorealistic CGI remake of The Lion King roared its way to $1.66 billion at the worldwide box office. The film looked so real that many viewers had to remind themselves it was animated.
That jaw-dropping visual style was a huge part of why so many people rushed to see it on the big screen.
Beyonce, Donald Glover, and a star-studded cast brought beloved characters back to life. The circle of life, it seems, is also a circle of box office gold.
5. Frozen II (2019)
Let it go? Audiences absolutely did not let it go when Frozen II arrived in theaters, earning $1.453 billion worldwide.
The sequel brought Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, and Olaf back for a deeper, more emotional adventure that explored Elsa’s mysterious powers and origins.
Critics and fans appreciated that the story took risks instead of just repeating the original formula. Crossing $1 billion with ease, Frozen II cemented the franchise as one of Disney’s most dependable animated powerhouses.
6. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
Nobody expected a video game movie to earn $1.361 billion, but The Super Mario Bros. Movie did exactly that.
For decades, video game adaptations had a rocky reputation at the box office, making this film’s success all the more surprising and exciting for fans.
Illumination and Nintendo teamed up to create a colorful, fast-paced adventure packed with Easter eggs for longtime fans. Mario proved that with the right creative team, even a plumber can become a global box office champion.
7. Frozen (2013)
Before there was a sequel, the original Frozen was already a cultural juggernaut, earning $1.312 billion worldwide. Released in 2013, it became one of the most beloved animated musicals ever made, with ‘Let It Go’ becoming one of the most recognizable songs on the planet.
The story of two sisters navigating love, loss, and magical powers felt fresh and emotionally honest. Frozen did not just break box office records, it rewrote what people expected from Disney princess movies entirely.
8. Incredibles 2 (2018)
Fourteen years. That is how long fans waited for Incredibles 2, and when it finally arrived in 2018, it earned $1.243 billion worldwide, making the wait absolutely worth it.
The sequel cleverly flipped the script by putting Elastigirl at the center of the action while Mr. Incredible stayed home with the kids.
Baby Jack-Jack’s wild new powers became an instant fan favorite. Pixar showed that patience from audiences can pay off in a huge way, both creatively and financially.
9. Minions (2015)
Those little yellow guys took over the world, and the box office numbers prove it. Minions earned $1.159 billion globally in 2015, turning the breakout sidekicks from the Despicable Me franchise into full-blown movie stars in their own right.
The film showed their chaotic origin story leading up to how they found Gru.
Audiences of all ages found the Minions impossible to resist. Their nonsense language and slapstick humor created a comedy style that was totally unique and wildly entertaining.
10. Toy Story 4 (2019)
Many fans thought Toy Story 3 was the perfect ending, so when Toy Story 4 came along, expectations were mixed. But Pixar delivered again, earning $1.074 billion at the global box office.
The film introduced Forky, a spork turned toy who quickly became one of Pixar’s most lovable new characters ever.
Woody’s emotional journey in this chapter felt surprisingly profound. The film closed his arc in a way that felt earned and bittersweet, leaving audiences both satisfied and a little teary-eyed.
11. Toy Story 3 (2010)
Toy Story 3 hit theaters in 2010 and earned $1.067 billion worldwide, becoming the first animated film ever to cross the billion-dollar mark outside of the holiday season. It was also the highest-grossing film of 2010, animated or live-action, which says a lot about its cultural impact.
The story of Andy leaving his toys behind for college hit audiences harder than expected. Parents cried alongside their children, and that emotional depth is a big reason the film connected so powerfully with so many people.
12. Moana 2 (2024)
Originally planned as a Disney Plus streaming series, Moana 2 was upgraded to a full theatrical release, and audiences rewarded that decision with $1.059 billion at the worldwide box office. The film brought back Moana’s adventurous spirit and stunning Pacific Island visuals that made the original so beloved.
The music and cultural storytelling remained front and center throughout. Moana 2 showed that when a story is rooted in genuine heart and cultural pride, audiences will always show up to celebrate it.
13. Despicable Me 3 (2017)
Gru got a twin brother in Despicable Me 3, and audiences loved the family reunion enough to hand the film $1.034 billion at the global box office. The movie leaned into comedy and family dynamics while still delivering the action and heart fans expected from the franchise.
Steve Carell voiced both Gru and his long-lost sibling Dru, which gave him a fun creative challenge. The Minions continued to steal scenes, proving once again that those little yellow troublemakers are basically box office gold in tiny overalls.
14. Finding Dory (2016)
Just keep swimming paid off big time. Finding Dory earned $1.029 billion worldwide in 2016, making it one of the highest-grossing animated sequels ever released by Pixar.
The film shifted the spotlight from Nemo to Dory herself, exploring her memory loss and her search for her long-lost family.
Ellen DeGeneres reprised her role and brought enormous warmth to the character. The film handled themes of disability and perseverance with surprising sensitivity, making it meaningful for kids and deeply touching for adults.
15. Zootopia (2016)
Before its sequel broke records, the original Zootopia quietly earned $1.025 billion at the worldwide box office in 2016. The film used a city of talking animals to tell a surprisingly sharp story about bias, stereotypes, and the importance of looking past assumptions.
That kind of storytelling depth in an animated film was genuinely refreshing.
Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde became one of Disney’s most beloved animated duos almost instantly. Zootopia won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, proving that critical and commercial success can absolutely go hand in hand.
16. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026)
Hot on the heels of the first film’s massive success, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie launched in 2026 and has already crossed $1 billion at the worldwide box office with more earnings still coming in. Nintendo and its animation partners proved the first film was no fluke, building a legitimate animated franchise from a beloved video game universe.
The cosmic setting gave animators a chance to go truly wild with visuals. Fans of the original Galaxy game were especially thrilled to see that world brought to life in stunning animated form.
17. The Lion King (1994)
Long before CGI remakes existed, the hand-drawn 1994 Lion King was already one of the greatest animated achievements in Hollywood history. It earned $979.1 million worldwide, an extraordinary number for any film in the early 1990s.
Adjusted for inflation, its total would be even more mind-blowing by today’s standards.
Songs like ‘Circle of Life’ and ‘Hakuna Matata’ became timeless classics that generations still know by heart. The Lion King remains the oldest film on this list, and its legacy has only grown stronger with every passing decade.
18. Despicable Me 4 (2024)
The Despicable Me franchise just refuses to slow down. Despicable Me 4 earned $972 million worldwide in 2024, keeping the series firmly in the upper tier of animated box office performers.
The film introduced Gru Jr., a new baby who immediately starts causing chaos for his supervillain-turned-family-man father.
Audiences have been following Gru’s journey since 2010, and that long-term connection keeps them coming back. Few animated franchises have maintained this level of audience loyalty across so many films and so many years.
19. Despicable Me 2 (2013)
Back in 2013, Despicable Me 2 earned $970 million at the worldwide box office and helped solidify Illumination as one of animation’s most commercially successful studios. The film brought Gru into a new adventure as a secret agent, this time working alongside the energetic and funny Lucy Wilde.
The Minions were more prominent than ever, which audiences absolutely adored. That increased Minion presence planted the seeds for their own spinoff film just two years later, showing how one sequel can shape an entire franchise’s future direction.
20. Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022)
Set in the groovy 1970s, Minions: The Rise of Gru earned $940 million worldwide in 2022 and sparked one of the most unexpected internet trends in recent memory. Fans, especially teenagers, dressed in formal suits to see the film in theaters as part of the viral ‘Gentleminions’ trend that swept social media.
The film showed a young Gru trying to join a supervillain group, blending origin story fun with classic Minion mayhem. That cultural moment helped boost ticket sales in a genuinely surprising and hilarious way.