Animated movies have transformed from simple cartoons into billion-dollar blockbusters that captivate audiences worldwide. These colorful masterpieces combine storytelling magic with cutting-edge technology to create unforgettable experiences for viewers of all ages. From talking toys to singing princesses, these films have not only entertained us but have also shattered box office records along the way.
1. Frozen II (2019)
The ice-cold sequel that melted hearts everywhere raked in an astounding $1.45 billion worldwide. Elsa and Anna’s second adventure took audiences back to Arendelle and beyond, exploring the origins of Elsa’s magical powers.
The film’s success wasn’t just about its breathtaking animation. Its powerful songs, including the haunting “Into the Unknown,” became instant classics, while deeper themes about growing up and accepting change resonated with viewers of all ages.
Disney’s marketing genius also helped, with merchandise flying off shelves faster than Olaf could melt in summer.
2. The Lion King (2019)
Roaring to life with photorealistic animation, this remake of the beloved 1994 classic amassed $1.66 billion globally. Though technically marketed as live-action, it was created entirely through computer animation, making it the highest-grossing animated film ever by some definitions.
Director Jon Favreau’s vision brought the African savanna to stunning life. Every whisker on Mufasa’s face and every blade of grass on the Pride Lands was rendered with incredible detail.
Star power also boosted ticket sales, with Beyoncé, Donald Glover, and James Earl Jones lending their voices to iconic characters.
3. Frozen (2013)
The original icy phenomenon that had children everywhere belting “Let It Go” collected a cool $1.28 billion worldwide. This unexpected Disney smash hit rewrote the princess playbook with its focus on sisterly love rather than romantic relationships.
Parents couldn’t escape the film’s catchy soundtrack, which dominated car rides and living rooms for years. The movie’s emotional depth surprised many adults, who found themselves just as enchanted as their children.
Frozen fever sparked a merchandise bonanza too – Disney reported over $1 billion in retail sales from Elsa dresses alone in the year following the film’s release!
4. Incredibles 2 (2018)
Fourteen years after the original, this super-powered sequel zoomed to $1.24 billion worldwide. Pixar’s long-awaited follow-up picked up exactly where the first film left off, with the Parr family still balancing superhero duties with everyday life.
Baby Jack-Jack stole the show with his unpredictable array of powers, creating some of the most hilarious scenes in animation history. The film’s sleek, retro-futuristic design and thrilling action sequences proved worth the extended wait.
Director Brad Bird crafted a story that explored gender roles by putting Elastigirl in the spotlight while Mr. Incredible tackled the challenges of being a stay-at-home dad.
5. Minions (2015)
Those adorable yellow troublemakers proved they could carry a movie without their villainous boss, collecting $1.16 billion globally. Set in the 1960s, this Despicable Me prequel revealed how the gibberish-speaking creatures found their life purpose: serving the most despicable master they could find.
Universal Pictures struck marketing gold with the Minions, plastering their images on everything from bananas to Amazon packages. Their simple design and slapstick humor transcended language barriers, making them a worldwide phenomenon.
Even adults couldn’t resist their charm – a 2015 study found that 25% of Minions merchandise was purchased by adults with no children!
6. Toy Story 4 (2019)
Woody, Buzz, and the gang returned for one last adventure, rounding up $1.07 billion worldwide. Many fans questioned the need for another sequel after Toy Story 3’s perfect ending, but Pixar proved them wrong with a thoughtful meditation on purpose and second chances.
New character Forky – a spork with googly eyes – became an unexpected breakout star. His existential crisis (“I’m trash!”) resonated with audiences and spawned countless memes.
The animation reached new heights of realism, particularly in the antique store scenes where dust particles float visibly in sunbeams – a technical achievement that required massive computing power.
7. Despicable Me 3 (2017)
Gru met his long-lost twin brother Dru in this third installment that collected $1.03 billion worldwide. The franchise continued its winning formula of combining heartfelt family moments with the Minions’ chaotic comedy.
The film introduced a new villain – Balthazar Bratt, a former 1980s child star turned criminal mastermind. His outdated fashion, dance moves, and weaponized keytar provided some of the movie’s biggest laughs and a nostalgic trip for parents in the audience.
Illumination Entertainment’s relatively modest production budget (around $80 million compared to Pixar’s typical $175-200 million) made this one of the most profitable animated films ever.
8. Finding Dory (2016)
The forgetful blue tang fish swam her way to $1.02 billion worldwide in this heartwarming sequel. Thirteen years after Finding Nemo, Pixar shifted focus to Dory’s personal journey to find her long-lost parents.
Ellen DeGeneres campaigned for this sequel for years on her talk show, helping build massive anticipation. The film’s portrayal of memory loss and disability resonated deeply with many families dealing with similar challenges.
Hank the septopus (an octopus missing a tentacle) showcased Pixar’s technical prowess – animating his fluid movements and camouflage abilities was so complex that earlier technology couldn’t have handled it.
9. Despicable Me 2 (2013)
Gru traded villainy for fatherhood and secret agent work in this sequel that grabbed $970 million worldwide. The reformed supervillain’s attempts at dating while raising three adopted daughters provided both laughs and heart.
The Minions’ popularity exploded with this installment, leading to their own spin-off movie. Their musical number – a Minion-language rendition of “I Swear” – became an unexpected viral hit.
Lucy Wilde, voiced by Kristen Wiig, brought a quirky energy as Gru’s love interest and partner. Their awkward romance appealed to adults while kids enjoyed the colorful action and slapstick humor.
10. Zootopia (2016)
This clever animal metropolis detective story hopped to $1.02 billion worldwide. Disney took a risk with this original concept about a rabbit police officer and con artist fox solving a conspiracy in a city where predators and prey live together.
The film’s allegorical approach to prejudice and discrimination made it surprisingly relevant for adult viewers. Children loved the colorful world-building, from the rodent-sized buildings of Little Rodentia to the frozen tundra of Tundratown.
The sloth scene at the DMV has become legendary for its perfect comedic timing – test audiences laughed so hard that Disney worried they were missing dialogue!
11. The Secret Life of Pets (2016)
Ever wonder what your furry friends do when you’re not home? This comedy about Manhattan pets on an adventure fetched $875 million worldwide.
The premise tapped into something every pet owner wonders about – what mischief occurs when we close the door behind us. The film’s opening sequence showing pets transforming from well-behaved to wild once their owners leave became instantly relatable.
Illumination Entertainment continued their streak of creating simple but effective animated comedies. The studio’s efficient production model allowed them to make this film for around $75 million – less than half the cost of most Disney or Pixar productions.
12. Despicable Me 4 (2024)
The newest addition to the franchise has already amassed over $850 million worldwide since its July 2024 release. Gru and his family face their most diabolical villain yet while adjusting to life with a new baby boy.
The Minions continue their global domination, with their merchandise sales reaching astronomical heights. This fourth installment introduced several new characters, including Gru’s infant son who shows early signs of following in his father’s formerly villainous footsteps.
Illumination’s cost-effective animation approach continues to pay dividends – the film reportedly cost around $100 million to produce but will likely earn nearly ten times that amount through box office and merchandising.
13. Shrek 2 (2004)
The green ogre’s second outing remains DreamWorks Animation’s highest-grossing film, earning $928 million worldwide. This sequel introduced audiences to Far Far Away, a fairy tale version of Hollywood, as Shrek and Fiona visited her royal parents.
Puss in Boots, voiced by Antonio Banderas, stole every scene he was in. His big-eyed innocent look contrasted hilariously with his swashbuckling skills, creating an instant fan favorite character who later got his own spin-off films.
The movie balanced fairy tale parodies with genuine emotional depth, as Shrek struggled with his insecurities about not being handsome enough for Princess Fiona.
14. Inside Out (2015)
Pixar’s journey inside an 11-year-old girl’s mind earned $857 million worldwide. This innovative concept personified emotions as characters – Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust – who control a console in young Riley’s mind.
The film’s emotional intelligence resonated with both children and adults. Many parents reported that it gave them a vocabulary to discuss complex feelings with their kids. Child psychologists praised its accurate portrayal of how memories and emotions work together.
Bing Bong, Riley’s forgotten imaginary friend, caused unexpected sobbing in theaters worldwide with his heart-wrenching sacrifice scene – proving animation’s power to deliver profound emotional impact.
15. Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022)
The yellow henchmen returned to their origins, collecting $939 million worldwide despite pandemic-related delays. Set in the 1970s, this prequel showed how young Gru first met his banana-loving sidekicks and began his supervillain journey.
The film’s retro aesthetic captured the funky style of the 70s, from bell-bottoms to disco music. A viral TikTok trend of teenagers dressing in formal attire to attend screenings (dubbed “Gentleminions”) boosted ticket sales and demonstrated the franchise’s unique cultural impact.
Celebrity voice cameos abounded, with Jean-Claude Van Damme, Dolph Lundgren, and Danny Trejo playing members of the villainous Vicious 6 supergroup.
16. Toy Story 3 (2010)
The emotional trilogy conclusion (before the fourth installment was announced) collected $1.06 billion worldwide. Andy’s departure for college forced his beloved toys to face an uncertain future, leading to one of cinema’s most tear-jerking finales.
The incinerator scene – where the toys face their mortality hand-in-hand – left even the toughest audience members reaching for tissues. Pixar’s willingness to tackle themes of loss, purpose, and letting go elevated what could have been a simple children’s film into something profound.
The animation technology had advanced dramatically since the original 1995 film – Woody alone had 229 animation variables in his face compared to the first film’s 100.
17. Finding Nemo (2003)
The underwater adventure that made everyone think twice about dentist aquariums reeled in $871 million worldwide. This father-son story about overprotective clownfish Marlin searching for his captured son Nemo captivated audiences with its vibrant ocean world.
“Just keep swimming” became a cultural catchphrase thanks to Dory, the forgetful blue tang voiced perfectly by Ellen DeGeneres. The film’s environmental messages about ocean conservation and the pet trade were subtly woven into its entertaining story.
Pixar’s technical achievements were groundbreaking – animators took scuba diving lessons to understand underwater physics, and new algorithms were created to render realistic water effects.
18. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
Nintendo’s beloved plumber finally found box office gold with this adaptation that collected a mushroom kingdom-sized $1.36 billion worldwide. After decades of failed attempts to bring Mario to the big screen, this colorful adventure captured the game’s spirit while creating a story that worked for non-gamers too.
The animation perfectly translated Mario’s world into 3D, from the bouncy physics to power-up transformations. Eagle-eyed fans spotted hundreds of Easter eggs referencing everything from obscure Nintendo characters to level designs from various games.
Jack Black’s performance as Bowser became a surprise highlight, especially his unexpected musical number “Peaches,” which became a viral hit.
19. Coco (2017)
Pixar’s colorful journey through Mexican afterlife traditions earned $814 million worldwide. The story of young Miguel’s accidental trip to the Land of the Dead during Día de los Muertos celebrated family bonds that transcend even death.
The film’s meticulous cultural research paid off, with Mexican audiences embracing its authentic portrayal of their traditions. “Remember Me,” the film’s Oscar-winning song, became a touching anthem about keeping memories of loved ones alive.
The animation team created over 7 million lights for the Land of the Dead sequences, making it one of Pixar’s most visually spectacular films. The bridge of marigold petals alone required new technology to animate properly.
20. Shrek the Third (2007)
The third ogre adventure collected $799 million worldwide despite mixed reviews. When Fiona’s father King Harold falls ill, Shrek must find a suitable heir to avoid becoming king himself – a role he desperately wants to avoid.
The film expanded its fairy tale universe by introducing Artie (King Arthur as a teenager) and a group of princess revolutionaries led by Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty. These princesses-turned-action-heroes predated the modern trend of empowered fairy tale characters by several years.
While not as beloved as the first two films, its financial success demonstrated the franchise’s powerful box office draw.
21. Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009)
The third prehistoric adventure became the franchise’s highest earner with $886 million worldwide. This installment took a scientific liberty by introducing dinosaurs to the Ice Age world, explaining their existence through a hidden tropical world beneath the ice.
Buck, a one-eyed weasel voiced by Simon Pegg, became an instant fan favorite with his Captain Ahab-like obsession with hunting a massive dinosaur. The film continued the series’ tradition of balancing humor for kids with subtle adult jokes.
International markets drove its massive success – only 30% of its total came from North America, showing animation’s power to cross cultural and language barriers.
22. Big Hero 6 (2014)
Disney’s Marvel-inspired adventure about a boy and his healthcare robot collected $657 million worldwide. Set in the futuristic city of San Fransokyo (a blend of San Francisco and Tokyo), this action-packed story followed young robotics genius Hiro Hamada and his inflatable robot Baymax.
Baymax became an instant icon with his huggable design and deadpan delivery of healthcare protocols. The character’s simple marshmallow-like appearance belied the technical complexity – animators created special software just to simulate his vinyl skin’s physics.
The film’s message about healthy grief processing resonated with audiences, particularly in its portrayal of how technology and human connection can work together in the healing process.
23. How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)
The second chapter in the dragon-riding saga soared to $621 million worldwide. Set five years after the original, this sequel showed a more mature Hiccup discovering his true identity while facing a dangerous dragon hunter.
The animation reached new heights of beauty, particularly in the flying sequences that captured the exhilaration of soaring through clouds on dragonback. Director Dean DeBlois insisted on creating a true second act in a trilogy rather than simply repeating the first film’s formula.
The emotional reunion between Hiccup’s parents after 20 years apart – communicated through a wordless dance and song – demonstrated animation’s unique ability to convey complex emotions without dialogue.
24. Moana (2016)
Disney’s Polynesian adventure sailed to $643 million worldwide. The story of a young chieftain’s daughter answering the ocean’s call to save her island broke new ground with its authentic cultural representation and lack of traditional romance plot.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s performance as demigod Maui brought star power and unexpected musical talent. His song “You’re Welcome” showcased both his charisma and surprising vocal abilities.
The animation team developed revolutionary new technology to animate realistic water and hair – Moana’s curls alone contained over 15,000 separate strands that moved independently. The ocean itself became a character, requiring complex fluid simulation systems.
25. Kung Fu Panda (2008)
DreamWorks’ martial arts comedy about an unlikely panda hero kicked its way to $631 million worldwide. Po, a noodle-loving panda who dreams of kung fu greatness, accidentally gets named the prophesied Dragon Warrior despite having no fighting skills whatsoever.
The film’s unique visual style blended traditional Chinese art influences with modern animation techniques. The opening sequence used stylized 2D animation that paid homage to Chinese shadow puppetry, setting it apart from typical CGI features.
Jack Black’s energetic voice performance as Po perfectly captured both the character’s fanboy enthusiasm and eventual growth into a genuine hero, making the unlikely premise completely believable.
26. The Incredibles (2004)
Pixar’s superhero family debut flexed its way to $631 million worldwide. Set in a world where superheroes have been forced into retirement, the film followed Bob Parr (Mr. Incredible) as he secretly returns to hero work, eventually pulling his entire super-powered family into the action.
Director Brad Bird’s background in traditional animation brought a dynamic, kinetic style rarely seen in CG films at that time. The mid-century modern aesthetic created a timeless look that still feels fresh today.
The film tackled surprisingly mature themes about middle-age disappointment and family dynamics. Its PG rating reflected more intense action sequences than typical animated films – a risk that paid off with broader audience appeal.
27. Sing (2016)
This jukebox musical about animals competing in a singing competition harmonized its way to $634 million worldwide. Buster Moon, a koala theater owner facing bankruptcy, organizes a singing competition that attracts a diverse group of animal performers, each with their own personal struggles.
The film featured over 60 pop songs from artists ranging from Frank Sinatra to Lady Gaga. Each musical number was tailored to reveal character development rather than just showcase familiar tunes.
Illumination Entertainment continued their strategy of modest budgets ($75 million) compared to Disney/Pixar films, allowing for substantial profit margins. The simple premise resonated globally, with audiences connecting to universal themes of following dreams despite obstacles.
28. Sing 2 (2021)
The musical animals returned for an encore performance that collected $407 million worldwide despite pandemic challenges. Buster Moon and his talented crew aim higher by trying to launch a spectacular show in the entertainment capital of Redshore City (an animal version of Las Vegas).
U2’s Bono joined the cast as Clay Calloway, a reclusive rock star lion who needs to be coaxed back into the spotlight. The sequel’s production faced unique challenges during COVID-19, with animation teams working remotely across multiple countries.
The film’s jukebox soundtrack expanded to include 40 songs covering multiple decades and genres. Each character’s musical journey reflected their personal growth, giving emotional weight to the performances.
29. Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted (2012)
The third adventure of the Central Park Zoo escapees circused its way to $746 million worldwide. Alex the lion, Marty the zebra, Gloria the hippo, and Melman the giraffe join a traveling circus as they continue their journey back to New York while evading a determined animal control officer.
The film’s circus sequences featured some of DreamWorks’ most vibrant animation, with the “Afro Circus” performance becoming a psychedelic visual feast. Chris Rock’s rendition of “Afro Circus/I Like to Move It” became a playground earworm for kids everywhere.
International audiences particularly embraced this installment, with its European settings and multilingual characters contributing to its global appeal.
30. Tangled (2010)
Disney’s computer-animated take on Rapunzel let down its hair to collect $592 million worldwide. This modern twist on the classic fairy tale followed Rapunzel’s journey of self-discovery after leaving her tower with the help of charming thief Flynn Rider.
The film blended traditional Disney hand-drawn animation principles with cutting-edge CGI technology. Animators studied Renaissance paintings to create Rapunzel’s world, giving it a painterly quality unlike any previous CG film.
Rapunzel’s 70 feet of magical golden hair presented unprecedented technical challenges. A dedicated “hair team” spent years developing new software to simulate its movement – each strand had to interact properly with characters, environments, and itself.
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