Top Earning Animated Sequels and Franchise Entries

The direct sequel to Disney's 2013 hit, this film grossed over $1.4 billion globally by expanding the mythology of Arendelle. It features new songs and a darker tone, proving that audiences are eager for more stories from beloved characters long after the original success.

While technically a photorealistic CGI remake rather than a traditional sequel, it is often categorized with franchise entries due to its direct continuation of the original narrative. It earned nearly $1.7 billion, surpassing the 1994 original's lifetime gross and setting a new record for Rotoscope animation.

Pixar’s sequel to 'Finding Nemo' focuses on the character Dory, revealing her backstory and family. It grossed over $1 billion worldwide, demonstrating the immense profitability of character-driven side stories within existing animated universes.

The third installment in the Illumination franchise introduced the villainous twin brother of Gru, boosting global sales to over $1 billion. Its massive box office performance highlights the enduring appeal of the Minions and the Gru family dynamic across international markets.

A highly anticipated sequel that explores adolescent emotions, breaking box office records with over $1.6 billion in global earnings. It proves that mature, psychological themes can drive massive commercial success when built upon a strong, emotionally resonant original foundation.

Pixar’s superhero sequel surpassed the original’s gross by focusing on Elastigirl’s career while Mr. Incredible handles home life. It earned over $1.2 billion, showcasing the brand's ability to modernize its storytelling while retaining the core family dynamics that made the first film a classic.

This prequel/sequel hybrid focuses on young Gru and the origin of the Minions, earning over $939 million. It capitalizes on the global phenomenon of the Minions franchise, proving that spin-offs can be just as lucrative as main narrative sequels.

Before the recent dominance of newer franchises, this Pixar masterpiece concluded Andy’s story with emotional depth, grossing over $1 billion. It set the standard for what an animated sequel should achieve, blending humor with poignant themes of growing up and letting go.

The second film in the Illumination series introduced Agent Lucy and expanded the world of supervillains, grossing nearly $1 billion. It solidified the franchise's position as a major player in the global box office, balancing slapstick comedy with action-adventure elements.

DreamWorks’ sequel deepened the lore of Viking-Bonded relationships and earned over $621 million. While not as massive as Disney’s earnings, its critical acclaim and strong financial return highlighted the potential for mature, character-driven sequels in the fantasy animation genre.

This DreamWorks sequel outperformed the original both critically and commercially, grossing over $928 million. It introduced fairy tale characters from the background, expanding the universe and proving that animated sequels could surpass their predecessors in popularity and revenue.

Continuing Woody’s journey into retirement and beyond, this film earned over $1 billion globally. It successfully revitalized the franchise decades later, demonstrating the longevity of the characters and the enduring attachment audiences have to these animated icons.

Illumination’s sequel expanded the world of domestic pets with new characters and adventures, grossing over $430 million. While lower than the original, it maintained significant profitability, showing the viability of mid-tier sequels in the animated comedy space.

The final chapter in the Madagascar trilogy, this film featured a traveling circus theme and grossed over $746 million. It successfully concluded the main narrative arc while delivering high-energy musical numbers and action sequences that resonated with global audiences.

This fourth installment in the Ice Age saga introduced a hidden prehistoric world, earning over $886 million. It showcased the franchise's ability to innovate within its formula by adding genre-bending elements like dinosaur action to its comedic ensemble.

A stylistic leap forward for DreamWorks, this sequel grossed nearly $485 million with a smaller budget but massive cultural impact. It proved that sequels could be artistically ambitious and darker, winning an Oscar and revitalizing the franchise’s commercial appeal.

While technically an original story, it is included here as a benchmark against sequels due to its massive $800+ million gross. Its success influenced studios to prioritize emotional originality, yet sequels like 'Frozen II' still dominate the high-grossing tier through franchise power.

Released recently, this sequel to Disney's 'Moana' has garnered significant box office success, continuing the journey of the young navigator. It reinforces Disney’s strategy of reviving popular musical adventures with new voyages, targeting both nostalgic parents and new young viewers.

Illumination’s musical sequel expanded the cast with new animal performers and famous voice actors, earning over $400 million. It demonstrates the consistent commercial reliability of the 'Sing' franchise, which appeals strongly to family audiences looking for lighthearted entertainment.

Although a standalone origin story, its massive $1.3 billion gross challenges the notion that only traditional sequels dominate. It serves as a crucial data point in comparing original IPs to sequels, showing that strong brand recognition can compete with established sequel narratives.