Top-Grossing Non-Disney Non-Pixar Animated Franchises

As a spin-off of the Despicable Me franchise, the Minion movies represent one of the highest-grossing animated series globally. Featuring the iconic yellow characters, these films have generated billions in revenue, particularly succeeding in international markets with slapstick humor and minimal dialogue.

A successful sub-franchise within the Shrek universe, Puss in Boots has grossed significantly with its action-adventure style. The character's transition to leading roles in 'Shrek Forever After' and subsequent standalone films has cemented its status as a major box office draw outside of traditional studio giants.

DreamWorks' flagship franchise revolutionized animated storytelling with its meta-humor and fairy tale parodies. The original four films and the recent comeback have earned over $3 billion worldwide, proving that non-Disney studios could compete directly with mainstream animated hits for general audiences.

DreamWorks Animation's martial arts epic has consistently performed well at the box office with its blend of action, comedy, and heart. The franchise spans multiple sequels and a prequel series, maintaining strong global appeal and merchandise sales, contributing to its status as a top-grossing animated IP.

This trilogy has resonated deeply with audiences due to its emotional depth and stunning animation quality. While the total franchise gross is lower than some competitors, the cultural impact and consistent theatrical performance have made it one of DreamWorks' most valuable and profitable intellectual properties.

The main body of the Illumination franchise featuring Gru and his adopted daughters has earned billions globally. Known for its clever script and heartwarming family dynamics, the original trilogy and recent entries have established Illumination as a premier competitor to Disney in the animated comedy space.

Note: While technically Disney, the 2019 photorealistic remake is often categorized separately in discussions of CGI advancements. However, strictly excluding Disney properties, this item is omitted to ensure accuracy. Instead, we highlight 'Zootopia' if considering internal studio distinctions, but per the prompt, we stick to non-Disney. Therefore, we skip this to avoid confusion.

Omitted as this is a Disney Animation Studios production. The prompt specifically excludes Disney. This slot is reallocated to ensure only non-Disney franchises are listed.

While individual films vary, Studio Ghibli's cumulative global revenue, particularly from 'Spirited Away' and 'Howl's Moving Castle', represents a massive non-Western animated success. Their unique hand-drawn artistry has cultivated a dedicated international following, generating significant lifetime box office returns.

Makoto Shinkai's masterpiece became the highest-grossing anime film worldwide for a period, surpassing many studio franchises. Its success in North America and Europe demonstrated the global appetite for high-quality Japanese anime, marking a significant milestone for independent anime productions outside major studio pipelines.

This single film shattered records in Japan and performed exceptionally well internationally, though it is a standalone movie within a larger TV series. Its box office performance highlights the potential for anime films to compete with major animated franchises in terms of immediate financial impact.

Produced by Sony Pictures Animation, this franchise has redefined comic book animation with its innovative visual style. The success of 'Into the Spider-Verse' and 'Across the Spider-Verse' has proven that Sony can create critically acclaimed and commercially successful animated hits independent of Disney or Pixar.

Blue Sky Studios' prehistoric comedy series was a consistent box office performer for over a decade. With its ensemble cast of animals and slapstick humor, the five main films earned hundreds of millions each, establishing Blue Sky as a major player before its acquisition by Disney.

Illumination's musical comedy franchise has grossed well over $600 million across two films. Leveraging popular music licenses and family-friendly stories, these films target a broad demographic, contributing significantly to Illumination's overall portfolio value and consistent annual release performance.

Another major hit from Illumination, this franchise explores the imagined lives of pets when their owners are away. The two films have collectively grossed over $1.4 billion, demonstrating the studio's ability to replicate success with different comedic premises and character designs.

Sony Pictures Animation's monster comedy series has been a reliable box office earner for over a decade. Featuring Dracula and his monster friends, the four films have earned billions globally, capitalizing on Halloween themes and family-friendly horror parody.

DreamWorks' early 2000s hit series about zoo animals escaping to New York City remains a strong financial performer. The trilogy and the spin-off 'Penguins of Madagascar' have contributed significantly to DreamWorks' legacy, appealing to children with its fast-paced humor and adventure elements.

While the sequel underperformed initially, the original Megamind film has maintained strong revenue through home video and streaming, with a recently announced sequel. Its unique villain-protagonist twist set it apart in the animated landscape, securing its place among notable DreamWorks successes.

Toei Animation's animated films based on the Dragon Ball manga have generated substantial revenue in Japan and internationally. Although much of the earnings come from domestic markets and merchandise, the global fanbase ensures that the animated theatrical releases remain financially significant.

This long-running Japanese animated film series is consistently the highest-grossing anime franchise in Japan. While less known globally compared to Dragon Ball, its annual theatrical releases earn massive domestic totals, making it one of the most profitable animated properties by pure ticket sales volume.