Top 10 Highest Grossing Animated Movies of All Time

The world of animation has captivated audiences for decades, offering a diverse range of films that have entertained and inspired generations. Among these, some animated movies have achieved remarkable success at the box office, breaking records and pushing the boundaries of storytelling. The highest-grossing animated movies of all time are a testament to the power of animation in captivating global audiences. Films like The Lion King (2019), Frozen II, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie have topped the charts, with The Lion King (2019) initially holding the top spot with a worldwide gross of over $1.66 billion. However, recent developments have seen Ne Zha 2 surpass these figures, becoming the highest-grossing animated film with over $2 billion in worldwide earnings.

The success of these animated films is not just about their financial achievements but also reflects their impact on popular culture. Movies such as Toy Story, Incredibles 2, Frozen, Inside Out, Despicable Me, and Minions have become cultural phenomena, with their characters and stories resonating deeply with audiences worldwide. The evolution of animation technology and storytelling techniques has enabled these films to reach broader audiences, contributing to their immense success. In this article, we will explore the top-grossing animated movies that have made their mark on the cinematic landscape, highlighting their achievements and enduring appeal.

List of Highest Grossing Animated Movies in History

Here is the list of the highest-grossing animated films of all time. Figures are given in United States dollars (USD).

1. Ne Zha 2 (2025)

Directed by: Jiaozi
Starring: Lü Yanting, Joseph Cao, Han Mo, Lü Qi, Zhang Jiaming, Wang Deshun
Production companies: Chengdu Coco Cartoon, Beijing Enlight Media, Beijing Enlight Pictures, Chengdu Zizai Jingjie Culture Media, Beijing Coloroom Technology
Distributed by: Beijing Enlight Pictures, CMC Pictures (United States)
Budget: ¥600 million (US$80 million)
Domestic Collection (China): $2.028 billion
Overseas Collection: $27,962,160
Worldwide Collection: $2,056,312,160

2. Inside Out 2 (2024)

Directed by: Kelsey Mann
Starring: Amy Poehler, Maya Hawke, Kensington Tallman, Liza Lapira, Tony Hale, Lewis Black, Phyllis Smith, Ayo Edebiri, Lilimar, Grace Lu, Sumayyah Nuriddin-Green, Adèle Exarchopoulos, Diane Lane, Kyle MacLachlan, Paul Walter Hauser
Production company: Pixar Animation Studios
Distributed by: Walt Disney Studios, Motion Pictures
Budget: $200 million
Domestic Collection: $652,980,194
International Collection: $1,045,883,622
Worldwide Collection: $1,698,863,816

3. The Lion King (2019)

Directed by: Jon Favreau
Starring: Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Alfre Woodard, Billy Eichner, John Kani, John Oliver, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, James Earl Jones
Production companies: Walt Disney Pictures, Fairview Entertainment
Distributed by: Walt Disney Studios, Motion Pictures
Budget: $250–260 million
Domestic Collection: $543,638,043
International Collection: $1,118,382,776
Worldwide Collection: $1,662,020,819

4. Frozen II (2019)

Directed by: Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee
Starring: Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Josh Gad, Jonathan Groff
Production company: Walt Disney Animation Studios
Distributed by: Walt Disney Studios, Motion Pictures
Budget: $150 million
Domestic Collection: $477,373,578
International Collection: $976,309,898
Worldwide Collection: $1,453,683,476

5. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)

Directed by: Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic
Starring: Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, Seth Rogen, Fred Armisen
Production companies: Universal Pictures, Illumination, Nintendo of America
Distributed by: Universal Pictures
Budget: $100 million
Domestic Collection: $574,934,330
International Collection: $785,913,335
Worldwide Collection: $1,360,847,665

6. Frozen (2013)

Directed by: Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee
Starring: Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff, Josh Gad, Santino Fontana
Production company: Walt Disney Animation Studios
Distributed by: Walt Disney Studios, Motion Pictures
Budget: $150 million
Domestic Collection: $400,953,009
International Collection: $905,495,084
Worldwide Collection: $1,306,450,154

7. Incredibles 2 (2018)

Directed by: Brad Bird
Starring: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Sarah Vowell, Huckleberry Milner, Samuel L. Jackson, Bob Odenkirk, Catherine Keener, Jonathan Banks
Production company: Pixar Animation Studios
Distributed by: Walt Disney Studios, Motion Pictures
Budget: $200 million
Domestic Collection: $608,581,744
International Collection: $634,643,923
Worldwide Collection: $1,243,225,667

8. Minions (2015)

Directed by: Pierre Coffin, Kyle Balda
Starring: Sandra Bullock, Jon Hamm, Michael Keaton, Allison Janney, Steve Coogan, Jennifer Saunders, Geoffrey Rush
Production companies: Universal Pictures, Illumination Entertainment
Distributed by: Universal Pictures
Budget: $74 million
Domestic Collection: $336,045,770
International Collection: $823,352,627
Worldwide Collection: $1,159,398,397

9. Toy Story 4 (2019)

Directed by: Josh Cooley
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, Tony Hale, Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele, Madeleine McGraw, Christina Hendricks, Keanu Reeves, Ally Maki, Jay Hernandez, Lori Alan, Joan Cusack
Production company: Pixar Animation Studios
Distributed by: Walt Disney Studios, Motion Pictures
Budget: $200 million
Domestic Collection: $434,038,008
International Collection: $639,803,386
Worldwide Collection: $1,073,841,394

10. Toy Story 3 (2010)

Directed by: Lee Unkrich
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Don Rickles, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Estelle Harris, Ned Beatty, Michael Keaton, Jodi Benson, John Morris
Production company: Pixar Animation Studios
Distributed by: Walt Disney Studios, Motion Pictures
Budget: $200 million
Domestic Collection: $415,004,880
International Collection: $652,311,221
Worldwide Collection: $1,067,316,101

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