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 21 highest-grossing animated films of all time.

Pre-2024 figures have been adjusted for inflation, with all dollar amounts in US dollars.

Disney's enchanting fairytale Cinderella graced the silver screen in 1950. The film earned $96.4 million globally, or an impressive $1.3 billion (£967m) today.

Acting as Disney's very own fairy godmother, the movie actually saved the studio from financial ruin. During World War II, many Disney movies flopped at the box office, resulting in Walt Disney Pictures accumulating debts of around $4 million at the time. Fortunately, the success of Cinderella prevented the studio from going bust, and it's still regarded as one of the best animated films of all time.

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 million at the worldwide box office, or $1.34 billion (£997m) 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 million globally – or $1.35 billion (£1bn) in 2026 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 out this year – moviegoers flocked to theatres to say adieu.

The movie pulled in close to $1.1 billion globally, or $1.37 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 ($1.37bn/£1bn today), ranking as the second-best performer in the franchise. Wondering which Minions movie holds the top spot? All will be revealed…

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 $1.37 billion (£1bn) in 2026 money. With powerhouse numbers like that, it’s hardly surprising that a sequel was given the green light. More on that soon...

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).

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.

Attracting moviegoers with its nostalgic appeal, the film earned an impressive $1.36 billion globally, or $1.45 billion (£1.1bn) today.

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

The funny flick earned over $1.15 billion globally, the equivalent of $1.58 billion (£1.2bn) today. That impressive figure makes it the most successful entry in the franchise to date.

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 $1.6 billion (£1.2bn).

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 2026 money, that's a heroic $1.61 billion (£1.2bn). With numbers like that, it’s no surprise that a third movie is currently in the works.

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 $1.64 billion (£1.22bn) in today’s money.

Pixar struck box office gold with Finding Nemo (2003). Regarded as a modern classic, the heartwarming flick is one of the most successful Pixar movies 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 $1.67 billion (£1.2bn).

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 $1.82 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.

Zootopia 2 was a box office smash when it debuted in 2025, racking up over $1.86 billion (£1.4bn) at the global box office and becoming Disney's highest-grossing animated movie in the process.

Based on the beloved Rudyard Kipling novel, Disney's The Jungle Book debuted in 1967. It grossed $205 million at the box office, the equivalent of a terrific $2 billion (£1.5bn) today.

The film's wild success was attributed to its endearing hand-drawn animation style and catchy soundtrack, which featured bangers such as The Bare Necessities and I Wan'na Be Like You (The Monkey Song).

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 $2.26 billion (£1.7bn) globally at the time of writing, making it the top-grossing film of 2025.

Released in 1961, One Hundred and One Dalmatians became an instant hit for Disney. It grossed $215 million, or around $2.34 billion (£1.7bn) in today's money. With these staggering numbers, the movie claims the top spot in our round-up. It was also the highest-earning picture of 1961. 

Disney has rebooted the beloved film several times over the years, releasing a live-action remake featuring Glenn Close as Cruella de Vil in 1996. More recently, Emma Stone stepped into the shoes of de Vil in Cruella, an origin story exploring the background of Disney's most dastardly villain.

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