The Most Successful Animated Movie of All Time, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the animated movie you think is the most successful!
Updated on Apr 25, 2024 06:57
In a world full of diverse storytelling and groundbreaking animation techniques, identifying the most successful animated movie can spark spirited debates among enthusiasts. Ranking these films helps to acknowledge not only the financial success but also the artistic impact they have on audiences around the globe. Such recognition can influence future productions and guide studios in understanding what truly resonates with viewers.
By participating in the voting process, users contribute to a broader appreciation of animated movies, ensuring that their personal favorites get the spotlight they deserve. This dynamic tally of votes continuously shapes and reshapes the list, reflecting new trends and opinions. It’s not just a list; it’s a reflection of a collective voice and evolving tastes in the world of animation.
What Is the Most Successful Animated Movie of All Time?
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172votesFrozen is grossed over $1.2 billion worldwide, won two Academy Awards, and became a cultural phenomenon with its catchy songs and empowering message.Frozen is a 2013 animated musical fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. It is the most successful animated movie of all time, captivating audiences of all ages with its heartwarming story. The film follows the journey of two sisters, Elsa and Anna, as they navigate the icy kingdom of Arendelle and face the consequences of Elsa's magical powers.
- Release Date: November 27, 2013
- Director: Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee
- Producer: Peter Del Vecho
- Writer: Jennifer Lee
- Music: Christophe Beck and Robert Lopez
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219votesThe Lion King is grossed over $968 million worldwide and won two Academy Awards. It is considered a classic in the animation industry and has spawned numerous adaptations and spin-offs.The Lion King (1994) is a beautiful animated film that tells the story of Simba, a young lion prince who must navigate the challenges of becoming king and reclaiming his rightful place in the Pride Lands. With a captivating storyline and stunning animation, this film has become a classic in the world of animation.
- Release Date: June 15, 1994
- Genre: Adventure, Drama, Family
- Runtime: 88 minutes
- Animation Style: Hand-drawn animation with computer-generated imagery (CGI) elements
- Music: Composed by Hans Zimmer, with songs by Elton John and Tim Rice
The Lion King (1994) in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most emotional Disney movie
- Position 2 of 10 in Most beautiful animated film
- Position 5 of 10 in Most successful piece of entertainment
- Position 10 of 10 in Most emotional movie
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329votes
Incredibles 2 (2018)
Brad BirdIncredibles 2 - grossed over $1.2 billion worldwide, making it the highest-grossing animated film of all time until it was surpassed by Frozen 2. It was also critically acclaimed for its humor, action, and family dynamics.Incredibles 2 (2018) is a computer-animated superhero film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. It is the sequel to the 2004 film, The Incredibles, and follows the Parr family as they navigate their roles as a superpowered family in a society that has a renewed appreciation for superheroes.- Genre: Action, Adventure, Animation
- Runtime: 118 minutes
- Rating: PG
- Director: Brad Bird
- Producers: John Walker, Nicole Grindle
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48votesMinions is grossed over $1 billion worldwide and became the highest-grossing animated film of all time at the time of its release. It also spawned a successful franchise and merchandise line.The 'Minions (2015)' is a McDonald's toy collection released in 2015, based on the popular animated film franchise 'Despicable Me' and its spin-off 'Minions'. The collection features various characters from the movies in adorable toy form.
- Release Year: 2015
- Film Franchise: 'Despicable Me', 'Minions'
- Toy Type: Figurines
- Characters: Various characters from 'Despicable Me' and 'Minions'
- Adorable Design: Yes
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512votes
Toy Story 3 (2010)
Directed by Lee UnkrichToy Story 3 - grossed over $1 billion worldwide and won two Academy Awards, including Best Animated Feature. It was also praised for its emotional and poignant story about growing up and letting go.Toy Story 3 is a 2010 animated film by Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Pictures. It is the third installment in the Toy Story franchise and follows the adventures of Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and their toy friends. The story revolves around Andy, the toys' owner, who is getting ready to go to college and must decide the fate of his beloved toys. The film explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and growing up, and is known for its heartwarming and emotional storytelling.- Release Date: June 18, 2010
- Running Time: 103 minutes
- Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
- Rating: G
- Box Office: $1.067 billion
Toy Story 3 (2010) in other rankings- Position 2 of 10 in Most emotional Pixar movie
- Position 4 of 10 in Most emotional Disney movie
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68votes
Finding Dory (2016)
Directed by Andrew StantonFinding Dory - grossed over $1 billion worldwide and became the highest-grossing animated film of 2016. It was also praised for its heartwarming story and well-developed characters.Finding Dory (2016) is a heartwarming animated adventure film that serves as a sequel to the highly popular Finding Nemo (2003). Directed by Andrew Stanton, the movie takes viewers on a journey underwater, following the lovable and forgetful blue tang fish named Dory as she embarks on a mission to find her long-lost parents.- Release Date: June 17, 2016
- Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
- Runtime: 97 minutes
- Production Company: Pixar Animation Studios
- Distributor: Walt Disney Studios, Motion Pictures
Finding Dory (2016) in other rankings- Position 8 of 10 in Most underrated Pixar movie
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72votes
Despicable Me 3 (2017)
Pierre Coffin and Kyle BaldaDespicable Me 3 - grossed over $1 billion worldwide and became the highest-grossing film in the Despicable Me franchise. It was also praised for its humor and action sequences.Despicable Me 3 (2017) is an animated comedy movie that follows the story of Gru, a reformed villain turned secret agent, and his mischievous yellow Minions. In this installment, Gru discovers he has a long-lost twin brother named Dru, who wants to team up with him for one last heist. Together, they face off against Balthazar Bratt, a former child star turned evil mastermind. The movie showcases a combination of humor, action, and heartwarming moments as Gru navigates his dual roles as a family man and a superhero spy.- Release Date: June 30, 2017
- Genre: Animated Comedy, Adventure
- Duration: 1 hour and 29 minutes
- Language: English
- Production Company: Illumination Entertainment
Despicable Me 3 (2017) in other rankings- Position 4 of 10 in Most popular Minions movie
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83votesZootopia - grossed over $1 billion worldwide and won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. It was also praised for its timely and relevant themes about prejudice and discrimination.Zootopia is a 2016 animated comedy-adventure film that takes place in a modern mammal metropolis called Zootopia. In this city, predators and prey live together in harmony. The story follows Judy Hopps, a determined rabbit who becomes the first bunny police officer. She teams up with a clever fox named Nick Wilde to solve a mysterious case involving missing predators. Together, they uncover a conspiracy that threatens the peace in Zootopia.
- Release Date: March 4, 2016
- Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
- Running Time: 108 minutes
- Directors: Byron Howard, Rich Moore
- Writers: Jared Bush, Phil Johnston
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93votes
The original uploader was Mackerm at English Wikipedia. · Public domainShrek 2 - grossed over $919 million worldwide and became the highest-grossing animated film of all time at the time of its release. It was also praised for its humor, clever pop culture references, and memorable characters.Shrek 2 (2004) is an animated fantasy comedy film and the sequel to the original Shrek movie. It follows the continued adventures of Shrek, a lovable ogre, and his friends on a quest to save the kingdom of Far Far Away.- Release date: May 19, 2004
- Running time: 93 minutes
- Genre: Animated, Fantasy, Comedy
- Production company: DreamWorks Animation
- Box office: $919.8 million
Shrek 2 (2004) in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular Shrek movie
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108votes
The Secret Life of Pets (2016)
Illumination EntertainmentThe Secret Life of Pets is grossed over $875 million worldwide and became the highest-grossing original animated film not based on a franchise. It was also praised for its humor and unique premise about what pets do when their owners are away.The Secret Life of Pets (2016) is an animated comedy film that explores what pets do when their owners are away. It follows the adventures of a group of domesticated animals in a New York City apartment building. The story revolves around Max, a lovable Jack Russell Terrier, whose life is turned upside down when his owner brings home a new dog named Duke. Max and Duke's rivalry eventually leads them into an adventure in the streets of New York City, where they encounter a gang of abandoned pets and must work together to find their way back home.- Release Date: July 8, 2016
- Director: Chris Renaud
- Writers: Cinco Paul, Ken Daurio, Brian Lynch
- Running Time: 87 minutes
- Genre: Animation, Comedy
The Secret Life of Pets (2016) in other rankings- Position 10 of 10 in Most popular universal movie
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Ranking factors for successful animated movie
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Box office revenueThe amount of money the film made in ticket sales can be a good indicator of overall success.
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Critical receptionReviews from professional critics can give an idea of how well-received a movie was by the public.
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AwardsAwards a film has won or been nominated for can be a good gauge of its success.
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Cultural impactA movie's influence on popular culture, including merchandise sales and references in other media, can indicate its success.
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Fan responseThe level of enthusiasm and engagement from fans can also be an indication of a movie's success.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most successful animated movie of all time. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or animation is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1897 views
- 162 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each animation once every 24 hours. The rank of each animation is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most successful animated movie of all time
Animated movies have been entertaining audiences for decades now. They have become an integral part of the film industry, with some of them even surpassing live-action movies in terms of popularity and box office earnings. But which animated movie is the most successful of all time? The answer may surprise you.
When it comes to the highest-grossing animated movies, the top spot is held by Disney's "Frozen II," which grossed over $1.4 billion worldwide. This movie is followed closely by its predecessor, "Frozen," which grossed over $1.2 billion worldwide. Other successful animated movies include "Incredibles 2," "Minions," and "Toy Story 4."
However, when it comes to critical acclaim, the most successful animated movie of all time is often considered to be "Spirited Away." Directed by Hayao Miyazaki, this Japanese movie won the Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards in 2003, as well as the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival. It has also been recognized as one of the greatest movies of the 21st century by several publications.
Ultimately, the definition of "success" may vary depending on the criteria being used. Whether it's box office earnings or critical acclaim, there are many animated movies that have achieved great success over the years.
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