From fairytales to family favourite franchises, animated films have enchanted audiences for generations – and raked in billions at the box office. 

But which beloved movies have made the most money globally? Read on as we count down the 20 highest-grossing animated films of all time.

Pre-2023 figures have been adjusted for inflation, with all dollar amounts in US dollars.

Kicking off our round-up is Illumination’s The Secret Life of Pets (2016). Animal lovers around the globe flocked to theatres, helping the movie gross $875.7 million globally – or $1.17 billion (£880m) in 2025 money.

Its success led to a sequel in 2019, but The Secret Life of Pets 2 struggled to match the original’s popularity. It grossed an inflation-adjusted sum of $541 million (£407m) at the worldwide box office.

Next up is Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012), the fourth entry in Blue Sky Studios’ prehistoric franchise.

The movie earned $877.2 million at the global box office – equivalent to around $1.22 billion (£920m) when adjusted for inflation. Despite its impressive haul, it’s not the highest-grossing film in the franchise. More on that soon…

DreamWorks’ Shrek the Third (2007) cemented the fairytale franchise as a box office force to be reckoned with.

The third entry grossed $808.3 million worldwide – or $1.25 billion (£940m) when adjusted for inflation. As for the highest-grossing film in the franchise? Keep reading to find out...

The third entry in the Ice Age saga, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009), is the most successful to date, demonstrating that the franchise still had plenty of life and laughter in the tank.

The family-friendly flick roared to an impressive $886.7 million at the worldwide box office, or $1.32 billion (£990m) in today's money.

Illumination Entertainment’s Despicable Me 2 (2013) proved that Gru and his mischievous Minions were more than just a one-hit wonder.

The sequel was a box office sensation, grossing $970.8 million globally – or $1.33 billion (£1bn) in 2025 money. Despite its stellar performance, it’s not even the most successful entry in the franchise...

Pixar’s Toy Story 4 (2019) was touted as the finale of the beloved franchise – a chance for fans to bid an emotional farewell. While it's not technically the final chapter – a fifth film is now in development – moviegoers flocked to theatres to say adieu.

The movie pulled in over $1 billion globally, or $1.34 billion (£1bn) in today’s money. As for the most successful entry in the franchise? Keep reading to find out...

Illumination’s Despicable Me 3 (2017) proved the franchise could keep the momentum going, becoming an even bigger box office success than its predecessors.

The family favourite film grossed over $1 billion ($1.35bn/£1bn today), ranking as the second-best performer in the franchise. Wondering which Minions movie holds the top spot? All will be revealed…

Released by Illumination Entertainment in partnership with Nintendo, The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) smashed box office records, becoming the highest-grossing video game adaptation of all time, although 2025's A Minecraft Movie is closing in fast.

Attracting moviegoers with its nostalgic appeal, the film earned an impressive $1.36 billion (£1bn) globally, ranking as the joint 12th highest-grossing animated film ever.

Disney’s Zootopia (2016) was a huge hit for the Mouse House on release, becoming the fourth highest-grossing film at the box office that year.

It banked over $1 billion globally, or $1.36 billion (£1bn) in 2025 money. With powerhouse numbers like that, it’s hardly surprising that a sequel is in the works and set for release later this year.

Thirteen years after Finding Nemo made a splash, Pixar finally gave one of its most beloved characters her own movie with Finding Dory (2016). 

The long-awaited sequel didn’t disappoint, becoming the highest-grossing animated movie of the year, earning over $1 billion globally. In today’s money? That's $1.37 billion (£1bn).

The mischievous Minions took centre stage in the Despicable Me spin-off Minions (2015).

The funny flick earned over $1.1 billion globally, the equivalent of $1.56 billion (£1.2bn) today. That impressive figure makes it the most successful entry in the franchise to date.

Pixar's Toy Story 3 (2010) saw Woody, Buzz and the gang return to screens for their third adventure.

Not only was Toy Story 3 the highest-grossing movie of the year on release, but it also stands as the top performer in the franchise. It banked almost $1.1 billion globally, or $1.56 billion (£1.2bn) in today’s money.

DreamWorks' smash-hit sequel Shrek 2 (2004) saw the grouchy green ogre and his gang return to the screen for more adventures and laughter.

The second entry in the franchise remains the most successful, grossing over $932 million worldwide. In today’s money, that’s an epic $1.57 billion (£1.2bn), making it the 8th most successful animated movie ever.

After a 14-year wait, the Parr superhero family returned to the silver screen with the release of Pixar's Incredibles 2 (2018).

The long-awaited sequel was a massive success, grossing over $1.2 billion globally. In 2025 money, that's a heroic $1.58 billion (£1.2bn). With numbers like that, it’s no surprise that a third movie is currently in the works.

Pixar struck box office gold with Finding Nemo (2003). Regarded as a modern classic, the heartwarming flick remains the second most successful Pixar movie ever.

It swam its way to almost $942 million globally, ranking as the second highest-grossing film of that year. When adjusted for inflation, it banked an incredible $1.63 billion (£1.3bn).

Almost a decade after the original movie captivated audiences, the highly anticipated sequel Inside Out 2 (2024) finally hit screens, returning to the emotional world of Riley’s mind.

The beloved flick earned a staggering $1.69 billion (£1.3bn) globally, ranking as the highest-grossing movie of the year. It's also Pixar’s most successful release ever.

Disney’s The Lion King (1994) was a massive hit when it roared onto screens, becoming the highest-grossing film of the year.

It earned nearly $771 million globally during its original run, the equivalent of $1.7 billion (£1.3bn) today. Its tremendous success cemented its status as one of Disney’s most iconic and enduring classics. 

Disney’s Frozen (2013) became a global phenomenon, with its heartfelt storyline and Oscar-winning ballad Let It Go enchanting audiences around the world.

The movie made a magical $1.3 billion at the worldwide box office, ranking as the highest-grossing film of that year. In today's money, that's an incredible $1.79 billion (£1.4bn). 

Following up a global sensation is no easy feat, but Frozen II (2019) managed to do just that. The sequel outperformed its predecessor at the box office, grossing over $1.45 billion globally, or $1.8 billion (£1.4bn) today.

A third entry in the spellbinding saga is currently in the works, though fans will have to be patient – it’s not set to release until 2027.

China’s Ne Zha 2 (2025) recently shattered box office records, becoming the highest-grossing animated movie of all time, as well as the first to pass the $2 billion (£1.5bn) mark.

Building on the success of its 2019 predecessor, the sequel has earned over $2.13 billion (£1.6bn) globally at the time of writing, making it the top-grossing film of 2025 so far.

Now discover the highest-grossing James Bond movies, ranked