Animated movies have evolved far from Saturday morning toons. Today, they’re blockbuster draws, nostalgia-filled events, and demonstrations that animation isn’t exclusively for children—it’s a family-friendly storytelling tool that transcends generations. From lovable doofus heroes to snow princesses and martial arts animals, these franchises didn’t merely enchant audiences—they raked it in, big time. Let’s dissect the seven animated franchises that made the biggest splash financially, and examine what worked for them in reaching the top.
7. Kung Fu Panda
It may go under the radar relative to other animated giants, but DreamWorks’ Kung Fu Panda has become a stealthy moneymaker. With Kung Fu Panda 4 in theaters, the series passed the $2 billion global benchmark. Forbes noted that the fourth film’s strong domestic and international box office returns solidified the franchise’s position as one of the best. Jack Black’s Po—a bumbling, noodle-craving panda-turned-kung-fu-legend—remains popular due to a combination of action, humor, and emotion. Surprisingly, the fourth installment was produced on a leaner $85 million budget, further enhancing its profitability. One reason for the franchise’s longevity? DreamWorks isn’t breaking any speed records—they allow years to elapse between installments, fueling fans with anticipation instead of exhaustion.
6. Madagascar
It turns out that a group of NewYork zoo creatures can be made into international icons. With more than $2.2 billion on four movies, Madagascar showed that occasionally, a bit of pandemonium and lots of charisma can be enough. The trilogy remained true to the main crew—Alex the lion, Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe, and Gloria the hippo—while reshuffling their exploits incessantly.
While Penguins of Madagascar did not quite match the heights of the main movies, it contributed towards the franchise’s overall triumph. As CBR reports, fans continue to look forward to a proper fourth installment. Madagascar’s combination of physical humor, off-beat characters, and hidden heart makes it a top choice for family night outs at the cinema.
5. Frozen
Frozen is not only a film, but a phenomenon. In two movies, Disney’s icy fairytale made $2.7 billion at the box office globally. Elsa, Anna, Olaf, and yes, that song, entered pop culture virtually overnight. But there’s more to it than rompable tunes and stunning animation. The actual magic of Frozen is its themes: sisterhood, self-acceptance, and emotional vulnerability. It’s these deeper messages that made the movies resonate with audiences across the board. Outside of the box office, Frozen’s impact has reached toys, books, Broadway, and Disney’s theme parks—cementing its status as one of the studio’s greatest contemporary classics.
4. Ice Age
Critics may not have nice things to say about the Ice Age movies, but the public? They turned out in hordes. With five core installments and a handful of spin-offs, the franchise grossed a cool $3.2 billion worldwide. From Manny the mammoth to Sid the sloth and Diego the saber-toothed tiger, the motley crew became fixtures on the animation scene.
One of Ice Age’s best-kept secrets is its broad global appeal—especially in regions such as Europe and Latin America, where humor and imagery translated easily. Even when the plot developed (and became a little zanier), families continued to show up, attracted to the combination of slapstick, adventure, and camaraderie.
3. Toy Story
Toy Story is not only one of the largest animated franchises—it’s also one of the most popular. Since its release in 1995, the Pixar classic has grossed more than $3.2 billion globally. What sets this franchise apart, however, is that it’s matured with its audience. From the innovative original to the deeply emotional Toy Story 4, these films have remained successful by finding a balance between childhood magic and adult themes. The 2006 Disney-Pixar merger helped contribute significantly to future success. As noted by M&A Community, the transaction enabled both brands to flourish and set the stage for even larger purchases. Toy Story combines nostalgia, creativity, and heart-wrenching storytelling like few other films can.
2. Shrek
Ogres might not be handsome, but Shrek’s box office figures are. With approximately $4 billion in worldwide profits, the green giant and his motley crew of fairy tale misfits redefined what was possible with animated films. Off-color, self-deprecating, and heart-swelling, Shrek demonstrated that there was room for more mature animated action that still connected on an emotional level. DreamWorks rode the humor, packed the scripts full of pop culture references, and allowed its characters to grow and develop through the years. Spin-offs such as Puss in Boots: The Last Wish only served to bolster the strength of the franchise, partly due to DreamWorks’ willingness to allow the fans some space between releases. It’s a tactic that surely worked.
1. Despicable Me
Love them or hate them, the Minions are here to stay. Illumination’s Despicable Me franchise is the reigning champion of the animated universe, raking in an astonishing $4.6 billion to date. The secret to its success? Universality. The humor—mostly visual and goofy—is universal, crossing languages and cultures. And Illumination knows how to make a dollar go far, keeping costs of production low while still producing crowd-pleasers. Gru, the girls, and the banana-crazed Minions are icons, largely due to solid branding, memorable imagery, and constant content. As noted by M&A Community, Illumination’s strategy is an alternative type of animation empire—lean, more commercialized, and laser-beam targeted on mass appeal.
So, what drives these huge movie series? It’s not only cool drawings or well-known faces. The true champs are the places that make them, those that welcome many kinds of voices, new thoughts, and smart tales. Based on a report from UCLA, films that show all kinds of people do well more often. It seems that taking new chances and giving tales room isn’t just great for culture—it’s clever for business too. These big cartoon hits aren’t just about making cash; they show that soul, laughs,and fresh style still count—and folks all around love it.