Animated films have demonstrated they’re so much more than children’s fare—they’re international phenomena, cultural touchstones, and frequently among the largest film events of their era. From Disney’s ageless classics to the booming development of China’s animation market, the box office champs of the top-grossing animated movies are a narrative of nostalgia, technological sorcery, and box office domination. Let’s go on a tour of the highest-grossing animated movies of all time, progressing from the lower levels of this exclusive top 15 list to the record-breaking winner.
15. Shrek the Third (2007) – $808 million
In the mid-2000s, Shrek was omnipresent. The third installment of DreamWorks’ fairy-tale spoof factory brought back Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy, and Antonio Banderas. Although critics weren’t as enamored this time around, audiences still flocked to theaters to watch the ogre and his gang wreak havoc in medieval times.
14. Coco (2017) – $815 million
Pixar’s vibrant journey to the Land of the Dead stirred hearts around the globe. Written and directed by Lee Unkrich and Adrian Molina, “Coco” honored family, remembrance, and music, with the now-legendary “Remember Me” making it particularly well-loved in Mexico and beyond Latin America.
13. Inside Out (2015) – $859 million
A voyage within the emotional realm of a young girl became one of Pixar’s most creative triumphs. Under the direction of Pete Docter and Ronnie Del Carmen, the movie—headed by Amy Poehler’s Joy—received critical acclaim for its incisive premise and emotional resonance.
12. The Secret Life of Pets (2016) – $876 million
Illumination’s answer to “What do pets do while we’re out?” struck comedy gold. Featuring the voices of Louis C.K., Lake Bell, and Bobby Moynihan, the movie’s mix of slapstick and charm made it a global crowd-pleaser.
11. Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012) – $877 million
Four films in, the prehistoric crew was still rolling along. Ray Romano, Denis Leary, and John Leguizamo returned, and the franchise’s global popularity—particularly in Europe and Latin America—kept the money coming in.
10. Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009) – $887 million
Saber-toothed squirrels and dinosaurs? Box-office gold. The third “Ice Age” film was the series’ biggest hit yet, demonstrating that fans still couldn’t get their fill of the frozen hijinks.
9. Shrek 2 (2004) – $933 million
A sequel as good as the original, “Shrek 2” brought the better jokes, a killer soundtrack, and the introduction of Antonio Banderas’ Puss in Boots. DreamWorks achieved one of the company’s all-time largest victories.
8. Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022) – $940 million
The global domination of Minions continued with this prequel-cum-sequel, featuring Steve Carell as young Gru. The yellow mischievous minions again demonstrated that slapstick mayhem requires no translation.
7. Finding Nemo (2003) – $942 million
Pixar’s underwater adventure, written and directed by Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich, was a loving, hilarious, and poignant journey that turned Ellen DeGeneres’ Dory and Albert Brooks’ Marlin into household names.
6. Despicable Me 4 (2024) – $969 million
Gru and Minions simply continue to find new ways to reign supreme. The fourth film reunited Steve Carell with Joey King and Miranda Cosgrove, continuing Illumination’s blockbusting franchise.
5. Despicable Me 2 (2013) – $971 million
Gru’s second adventure cemented the franchise’s status as animation royalty. The combination of sentimental scenes, absurd humor, and banana jokes made it impossible to resist to moviegoers across the globe to resist.
4. The Lion King (1994) – $979 million
Disney’s pride and joy of hand-drawn animation is still among the most iconic films ever produced. Featuring James Earl Jones’ unmistakable Mufasa, Jeremy Irons’ wickedly dastardly Scar, and a soundtrack by Elton John and Tim Rice, it is the king of classics.
3. Zootopia (2016) – $1.03 billion
A clever buddy-cop thriller encased within a colorful animal city, “Zootopia” juggled humor and social commentary. Starring Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman, it showed fresh storytelling could still hit the billion-dollar threshold.
2. Finding Dory (2016) – $1.03 billion
Pixar’s poignant sequel revived everybody’s favorite forgetful fish, voiced once more by Ellen DeGeneres. The movie’s stunning visuals and emotional appeal brought in yet another billion-dollar catch.
1. Despicable Me 3 (2017) – $1.03 billion
Steve Carell played both Gru and his long-lost twin brother Dru, as the Minions caused their usual destruction. Throw in an 8’80s-obsessed villain, and Illumination had its most lucrative adventure ever.
The New Champion: Ne Zha 2 (2024) – $2+ billion
This Chinese fantasy epic by director Jiaozi (Yu Yang) not only broke records but shattered them. With more than $2 billion in worldwide box office receipts, it not only became the highest-grossing animated film of all time, but also one of the highest-grossing films of all time, period.
Animated movies have moved beyond the “kids’ flick” ghetto to become among the most dominant cultural and monetary powers in film. With memorable characters, innovative animation, and tales that resonate throughout multiple generations, these movies have taken over the world—one frame at a time.