7 Highest-Grossing Animated Movies of All Time

Animated movies have had a long journey through time. From being labelled as “only for kids” to “family entertainment”, the genre has evolved remarkably over the years, eventually becoming profoundly meaningful and thought-provoking.

What began as hand-drawn cartoons soon became box-office money spinners. The success of animated movies is perhaps more admirable than other movie genres because their audience was initially considered to be, well, just children.

Over the years, audiences found deep meanings and emotionally resonant messaging in these movies. In the last two decades, many animated films have grossed far more than expected, and more often than not, this is thanks to their inherent honesty, thematic relevance, and emotional bravery.

So, which are some of the highest-grossing animated movies of all time?

Let’s jump right in and explore.

7 Most Successful Animated Movies Of All Time

Here are the highest animated money-spinners in all of film history.

1. Ne Zha 2 (2025) - Over $2.21 Billion

Directed by Yang Yu (Jiaozi)

This Chinese sequel shattered all records and became the highest-grossing animated film of all time in 2025. The film, which drew from classic Chinese mythology, outpaced all Hollywood successes in the genre. The movie follows Ne Zha, a rebellious child with a complex destiny, as he embarks on a quest to save the world with his ally, dragon prince Ao Bing.

It’s folklore-inspired storytelling, coupled with high-octane action, humor, and emotional depth, that made it dominate the box office in China.

2. Zootopia 2 (2025) - $1.83 Billion

Directed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard

This much-awaited sequel elevated Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde’s buddy-cop dynamic with higher stakes and sharper social commentary. The movie built further on a foundation laid by its successful predecessor by making the story more layered, meaningful, yet thoroughly entertaining. The mystery at the core of this animated film is intriguing and keeps audiences hooked throughout, which makes its tremendous success in 2025 entirely worthy.

3. Inside Out 2 (2024) - $1.69 Billion

Directed by Kelsey Mann

This bold sequel to its exceptionally inventive predecessor introduced new emotions to Riley’s mind as she navigates puberty and high school pressures. It shattered box-office records by being the highest-earning film of 2024 and Pixar’s biggest ever success at the time. The movie’s poignant storytelling and novel visuals of the mind’s “headquarters”, along with universally empathetic themes on growing up, helped attract audiences of all ages to the movie theater, contributing significantly to the film’s success.

4. Frozen II (2019) - $1.45 Billion

Directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee

This film, also a sequel, felt like a “deep dive” into Elsa and Anna’s origins. It explored elemental spirits, family secrets, and self-discovery in the enchanted forest. Directors Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee expanded their predecessor’s world and deepened character arcs. While the first part became a cultural phenomenon, the second part not only maintained the movie’s successful standards but also surpassed them in terms of its story and financial success.

5. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) - $1.36 Billion

Directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic

Based on the iconic Nintendo video game franchise, this film brought Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Bowser to life on a movie screen. Driven by nostalgia and curiosity, people who played the game and those who didn’t flocked in large numbers to the theaters in 2023, making this movie the most successful video game adaptation of all time. Powerful callbacks, colorful set pieces, and broad family appeal proved that iconic video games had the potential to be adapted into movies if the essence of what makes them enjoyable remained intact.

6. Frozen (2013) - $1.29 Billion

Directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee

The original Frozen enamored audiences worldwide by flipping traditional fairy tale tropes with Elsa’s ice powers, Anna’s determination, and the iconic, global hit song, “Let it Go”. The film’s empowering message of sisterhood, its catchy soundtrack, and inventive visuals made it a breathtaking animated movie experience. While animated movies frequently break box-office records today, back in 2013, this movie became the first animated film to gross over $1 billion.

7. Incredibles 2 (2018) - $1.24 Billion

Directed by Brad Bird

Nearly 14 years after the original was released, Brad Bird brought The Incredibles back with a long-awaited sequel. In the movie, the Parr family balances everyday life with high-octane action. Domestic chaos blends brilliantly with the superhero tropes, corporate greed, and work-life balance themes. Incredibles 2 is one of those animated movie sequels that felt earned and highly anticipated. Just like The Super Mario Bros. Movie, this one too drove nostalgia-struck audiences to the movie theater in large numbers.

Summing It Up

The evolution of animated movies over the years has been nothing short of admirable. While many of these films earned critical acclaim as well as tremendous box office success, perhaps the greatest victory for animated movies as a whole is that they aren’t all clubbed under a category of movies reserved for children. The success of these movies reflects not only their technical achievements but also the universal appeal of their stories.

Which is your favorite animated movie of all time? Tell us in the space below.