A definitive ranking of the highest-grossing animated feature films in history that were produced by studios other than Disney or Pixar. This list highlights the global appeal of animation from studios like Illumination, DreamWorks, Sony, and Toho, showcasing diverse storytelling and visual styles that achieved massive commercial success.
Get targeted exposure with custom position pinning and highlighted placement.
Disney Animation Studios' musical phenomenon became a cultural reset, driven by the global hit song 'Let It Go.' It holds the record for the highest-grossing animated film of all time, demonstrating the immense power of original music and character-driven narratives in the animated genre.
The highly anticipated sequel to Pixar's 2004 hit broke opening weekend records and ultimately surpassed its predecessor at the box office. It leveraged nostalgia while updating the superhero genre with modern animation techniques and broader family appeal.
The sequel to the 2013 blockbuster expanded the world of Arendelle with deeper lore and spectacular visual effects. It maintained the franchise's momentum, proving that strong character development and emotional stakes are crucial for sustaining long-term audience engagement.
Disney's photorealistic CGI remake of their 1994 animated classic reimagined a beloved story with cutting-edge technology. Despite mixed critical reviews, its massive global marketing campaign and brand recognition drove it to become one of the highest-grossing films in history.
While primarily a live-action film, it features extensive and realistic CGI dinosaur animation that blurred the lines between genres. Its box office dominance highlights the universal fascination with prehistoric creatures and the technical prowess of modern visual effects teams.
Nintendo and Illumination Entertainment collaborated to create a vibrant, faithful adaptation of the iconic video game franchise. It became the highest-grossing video game-based film ever, proving the massive untapped potential of gaming IPs in the animated theatrical space.
This prequel spin-off from Illumination Entertainment featured the yellow, one-eyed characters who had become a massive merchandising phenomenon. It tapped into universal humor and simple visual comedy, appealing to children globally without requiring prior knowledge of the main franchise plot.
The third installment in the Illumination franchise introduced new characters and expanded the mythos of Gru and his family. It demonstrated the studio's ability to sustain a successful intellectual property over multiple sequels with consistent thematic humor and heart.
This sequel deepened the relationship between Gru and his new wife Lucy while introducing the Minions to a wider audience. It balanced spy-thriller elements with family comedy, resulting in higher box office returns than the original and cementing the franchise's popularity.
DreamWorks Animation's sequel improved upon the original's success by doubling down on pop culture parodies and celebrity voice acting. It resonated with both children and adults, becoming the highest-grossing animated film of its time and setting a new standard for sequel quality.
Pixar's third entry tackled mature themes of growing up and letting go, resonating deeply with audiences who had aged alongside the characters. It was critically acclaimed and commercially successful, proving that animated films could handle complex emotional narratives.
The fourth film provided a poignant conclusion to Woody's journey, exploring themes of purpose and independence. While it faced some fan debate, it performed well globally, leveraging the strong emotional connection audiences had with the long-running series.
Pixar's spin-off focused on Dory's memory loss and her search for her parents, adding emotional depth to the underwater adventure. It successfully expanded the 'Finding Nemo' universe and demonstrated the studio's strength in character-driven side stories.
Disney Animation Studios released this social allegory wrapped in a buddy-cop mystery, appealing to a wide demographic. Its smart writing, memorable characters, and timely themes helped it become a critical and commercial hit, earning an Oscar for Best Animated Feature.
This Disney adventure celebrated Polynesian culture with stunning visuals and a powerful original soundtrack. It connected with audiences through themes of identity and exploration, becoming one of the studio's most beloved modern classics with strong international appeal.
DreamWorks Animation's sequel matured its characters and storyline, focusing on war, leadership, and personal growth. It garnered critical acclaim for its emotional depth and breathtaking animation, significantly outperforming its predecessor at the box office.
Sony Pictures Animation revolutionized the medium with a unique comic book-inspired visual style. It became a cultural phenomenon, winning the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and proving that innovative art direction could drive massive commercial success.
DreamWorks Animation's sequel deepened Po's backstory while delivering spectacular martial arts action and humor. It proved the enduring appeal of the franchise and showcased the studio's ability to blend Eastern philosophy with Western storytelling techniques effectively.
Illumination Entertainment's debut feature introduced a lovable anti-hero and his army of Minions to the world. Its fresh take on the villain protagonist trope and simple, effective humor struck a chord globally, launching one of the most profitable animation franchises.
DreamWorks Animation's debut feature subverted traditional fairy tale tropes with irreverent humor and heart. It established a new genre of adult-oriented animated comedy, winning the first Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and changing the industry landscape.