Top Grossing Non-Disney/Pixar Animated Film Franchises

Produced by Illumination and Universal Pictures, this franchise combines the adventures of Gru with the global phenomenon of the Minions. It holds the record for the highest-grossing non-Disney/Pixar animated series, with multiple entries surpassing a billion dollars worldwide.

DreamWorks Animation's landmark fairy tale satire revitalized the studio's fortunes and changed the landscape of animated storytelling. The series is known for its subversive humor, iconic voice casts, and enduring cultural impact across four main theatrical releases.

Illumination's spin-off concept exploring the hidden lives of household pets after their owners leave. The series has achieved significant box office success with two major theatrical entries, capitalizing on the universal appeal of animal characters and slapstick comedy.

DreamWorks Animation's martial arts comedy features Po, a panda destined to become the Dragon Warrior. The series blends impressive animation with themes of self-acceptance and perseverance, consistently performing well globally across multiple sequels and specials.

DreamWorks' epic tale of a Viking boy befriending a dragon redefined the studio's artistic direction. Critically acclaimed for its emotional depth and stunning visuals, the trilogy serves as a cornerstone of modern animated storytelling with massive box office returns.

20th Century Fox's long-running prehistoric adventure series follows a group of extinct animals navigating human civilization. Known for its comedic timing and sidekicks like Sid the Sloth and Scrat, the franchise sustained box office success for over a decade with five main films.

Illumination's musical comedy series brings together a diverse cast of animals competing in a singing competition. The first film was a massive commercial hit, leading to a sequel that expanded the character roster and musical performances, solidifying the brand's global reach.

DreamWorks Animation's vibrant musical franchise focuses on colorful, optimistic characters who survive through song and dance. The series benefits from its catchy soundtrack and bright aesthetic, attracting strong family audiences across two major theatrical installments.

DreamWorks' zany adventure follows zoo animals escaping to the streets of New York and later to Madagascar. The series was pivotal in the mid-2000s for establishing DreamWorks as a major competitor to Disney, with all four main films achieving significant commercial success.

Blue Sky Studios' colorful musical adventure features a domesticated macaw traveling to Rio de Janeiro. The series leverages stunning location-based animation and upbeat music to attract family audiences, with the first film performing exceptionally well internationally.

DreamWorks' superhero parody subverts tropes by focusing on a supervillain who defeats his nemesis and then feels empty. While initially moderate in theatrical run, the film gained massive cultural traction and critical acclaim, leading to a highly anticipated direct-to-video sequel.

Spin-off series from the Shrek franchise focusing on the charismatic boot-wearing cat. The standalone film revitalized the character for a new generation, blending action-comedy with a unique art style that earned strong box office performance and positive reviews.

Dr. Seuss's environmental classic adapted by Illumination into a vibrant musical adventure. While distinct from their other hits, it capitalized on the brand's recognition and delivered a strong message about nature conservation with considerable commercial returns.

Blue Sky Studios' adaptation of Dr. Seuss's beloved book features Horton protecting a microscopic community. The film combined classic literature with 3D animation technology, achieving solid box office numbers and introducing the story to a modern digital audience.

Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow's Academy Award-winning film introduced 3D penguins to global audiences. It stands as one of the earliest non-Disney successes in 3D animated family films, leveraging stunning visuals and a unique tap-dancing premise to draw large crowds.

Sony Pictures Animation's debut feature combined hunting humor with adventure, launching a successful multi-film franchise. It established Sony as a viable player in the animated space, with subsequent sequels continuing to entertain family audiences for over a decade.

Sony's creative comedy about food falling from the sky became a viral sensation and commercial success. The unique premise and humorous tone resonated with audiences, leading to a sequel and a Netflix animated series, expanding the franchise's longevity.

DreamWorks' underdog story features a garden snail who dreams of winning the Indy 500. While slightly lower grossing than other DreamWorks hits, it still achieved profitable theatrical runs and established the studio's ability to create unique sports-based animated narratives.

DreamWorks' prehistoric adventure follows a cave family navigating a changing world. The film introduced new characters and humor styles for the studio, achieving strong box office results and spawning a sequel that further explored the family's expansion.

The sequel to Blue Sky Studios' hit continues the adventures of Blu and Jewel in the Amazon rainforest. While critical reception was mixed, the franchise maintained its appeal to younger demographics and continued to generate significant box office revenue internationally.