Ever since it was founded way back in 1928, Walt Disney Motion Pictures Studios has been an icon of mainstream cinema, with the production company’s history in animated cinema defining the medium’s longevity and prosperity in Hollywood. As such, it should come as no great surprise that many Disney animated movies have become not only instant classics, but monumental box office hits as well.
In fact, Walt Disney Animation Studios has produced seven films that have gone on to gross over $1 billion so far, with the company’s reputation for wondrous stories, beautiful visual spectacles, and charming family entertainment only enhancing as time goes by. Spanning from imaginative original hits to brilliant adaptations, and sequels that allowed fans to venture back into the story worlds they love, these movies mark Disney’s greatest animated successes thus far.
40. ‘Mulan’ (1998)
Box Office: $304.2 million
Joining the ranks of Disney princesses in the ’90s was Mulan, a less conventional princess who disguised herself as a man to take her father’s place in being conscripted into the war and, ultimately, became a formidable warrior under the training of Li Shang, whom she would also spark up a romance with. The film is based on a Chinese legend that told a similar story about this folk heroine, though Disney added in the romance. For its rich story, cultural depiction and characterization, particularly that of Mulan, the film received resounding critical praise.
The film won the award for Best Animated Feature Film and raked in 304.2 million at the box office, against a budget of $90 million. It would later also spurn a sequel, and more recently, a live-action remake in 2020, which was plagued by controversies due to its production process and by not really adding anything to the original apart from visual flair. Despite the 1998 classic’s ambiguity around historical details, like specifying which Imperial dynasty it was set in, it was still a cultural milestone in Disney, bringing forth a badass princess of Asian-descent into the canon. —Jasneet Singh
39. ‘Bolt’ (2008)
Box Office: $310.0 million
The period from 1989 to 1999 has been labeled as the Disney Renaissance period, where each Disney film received wide critical and audience praise. While there was still plenty of success in the 2000s, mainly on Pixar’s side, Bolt was considered one of the films that instigated the rebirth of both studios, as it redefined their strategy towards the creative process which would later result in more massive hits like Tangled and Frozen in the 2010s. While the Bolt itself didn’t win any awards and was only nominated for them, it received wide critical acclaim and earned $310.0 million at the box office.
The action-adventure comedy follows the titular dog, who had been raised on a film set its entire life and firmly believed in his fictional superpowers. After his beloved owner was kidnapped in the television series, he sets off on an adventure to rescue her, not realizing she wasn’t actually abducted, leading to a hilarious journey of self-realization and friendship. The film was adored for its characters, as the playful dynamics within the group and complexities in the characterizations made for an authentic and engaging viewing experience. —Jasneet Singh
38. ‘Chicken Little’ (2007)
Box Office: $314.4 million
Its comparatively paltry sum of $314.4 million, its largely unflattering critical reviews, and its fade-out from public consciousness may paint Chicken Little as one of Disney’s bigger misfires of the 21st century, but it’s box office intake actually halted a damning slump from Walt Disney Feature Animation that had been ongoing since before the turn of the century. Crossing animated adventure with alien invasion, sci-fi catastrophe, Chicken Little is a stylish and well-presented movie more so than an arresting story.
Cluck (Zach Braff) is a young rooster who has a certain reputation around town when he wrongly proclaims the sky is falling, creating a panic. When he stumbles upon a looming terror, he struggles to get the townsfolk to believe him. It is a far cry from Disney’s best work in the wheelhouse of animation, but as a kid-friendly goof-off of cartoon chaos, it has some appeal to youngsters while also marking an important turning point in the studio’s fortunes.
- Release Date
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November 4, 2005
- Runtime
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80 minutes
- Director
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Mark Dindal
- Writers
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Mark Dindal, Mark Kennedy, Steve Bencich, Ron J. Friedman, Ron Anderson, Robert L. Baird
37. ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’ (1996)
Box Office: $325.3 million
There is a certain unevenness to Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame, just as there is a fascinating visual style and an intriguing basis on Victor Hugo’s classic novel of the same name. Above all else though, there seems to be a growing coalition of Disney fans who yearn to see the studio return to such darkness and depth with their animated exploits; after all, Quasimodo’s (Tom Hulce) tale of woe and wonder remains an emphatic fan favorite.
Within its aforementioned uneasiness, there is an impressive balancing act, even if an imperfect one. The arresting and upsetting story of isolation and woe is imbued with Disney’s trademark song and dance, its ever-present eye for charming and sincere characters that effortlessly pluck at the heartstrings with good humor and grounded sweetness. While there was some apprehension upon release concerning whether the story’s themes would be appropriate for young audiences, it didn’t stop the film from raking in $325.3 million. Bear in mind that Disney animation was still in something of a lull during the 90s, and that financial performance is rendered far more significant than it may first appear.
36. ‘The Good Dinosaur’ (2015)
Box Office: $332.2 million
Despite being extinct for eons, dinosaurs have always held a specific influence on filmmakers’ imaginations, with the most infamous example being the juggernaut Jurassic Park franchise. Disney contributed to this fascination in 2015 with a story that imagines a world where dinosaurs still roamed the earth during the early years of human existence. It follows a timid dinosaur who is separated from his family and undergoes a perilous journey to reunite with them with the help of a new human friend.
While ensuring the dinosaur looked as animated and relatable as possible, the film also draws inspiration from the Western genre in its dry, untamed landscapes, character archetypes like bandit pterodactyls and themes of survival. Though the film was praised for this and was eventually nominated for Best Animated Feature Film, The Good Dinosaur was Pixar’s first box office failure, only garnering $332.2 million on a budget of $175-200 million. It was also overshadowed by the release of Inside Out during the same year, likely contributing to its downfall. —Jasneet Singh
35. ‘Pocahontas’ (1995)
Box Office: $346.1 million
Pocahontas romanticized the story of a Powhatan woman who encountered an English settler called John Smith from the Virginia Company, where she saved his life. While being loosely labeled as a historical drama, the studio wanted to evoke the same feeling as an epic romance like that of Beauty and the Beast, and thus, focused on the relationship that blossomed between the two. However, this ended up being one of the biggest criticisms upon release, as it garnered polarizing reviews that questioned its tone and historical inaccuracies, where creative license was taken to make the story more palatable to audiences.
That being said, critics also applauded the voice acting and mainly the musical score, eventually landing the film Academy Awards for Best Musical or Comedy Score and Best Original Song for “Colors of the Wind.” The musical historical drama managed to rake in $346.1 million at the box office for its enthralling songs and would later also earn a sequel that has been long forgotten, like many of Disney’s original sequels. —Jasneet Singh
34. ‘Dinosaur’ (2000)
Box Office: $349.8 million
From the studio’s earliest days of animated adventure, to its success in the superhero genre of late, there have been plenty of Disney movies that have coasted to success with visual grandeur and little else. Dinosaur is more worthy than most to coast by off this asset, given it is the first film from Walt Disney Feature Animation to use 3D animated. Impressively, it is not only a feat of pioneering ambition, but a picturesque mastery of the craft as well.
Of course, there is the question of making the dinosaurs look realistic, of going to such great lengths to depict authenticity, only to then have an iguanodon speaking plain English with his adopted family of lemurs. Granted, audiences were too transfixed by the visual treat on display to find such pet peeves with the picture, and understandably so. Its display genuinely imbues an otherwise monotonous story with a terrific sense of wonder. It helped the film tick over $349.8 million at the box office, which actually saw the film fail to break even against its lofty production and marketing costs.
33. ‘A Bug’s Life’ (1998)
Box Office: $363.3 million
Following Toy Story, A Bug’s Life was Pixar’s second feature-length animation film, and was considered a commercial success as it grossed $363.3 million at the box office, even though it only raked in around $290,000 during its opening in the ’90s. It follows a plucky ant who recruits warriors to protect his home against the invasion of evil grasshoppers, except those alleged “warriors” are actually part of a circus troupe. Though it never garnered the popularity that other Pixar fares did, the film and animation style still became a nostalgic part of many people’s childhood.
The plot itself was inspired by an Aesop fable called “The Ant and The Grasshopper”, where a grasshopper begs an ant colony for food after wasting his summer away on frivolities instead of hoarding—A Bug’s Life considers a version where the grasshoppers decide to simply steal the food. The film was also involved in a controversy, as a competing studio, Dreamworks, had released a similar movie centering around the same species just the month prior to A Bug’s Life‘s release, called Antz. Nevertheless, the Pixar film still received positive critical and audience reception for its humor, voice acting and heart. —Jasneet Singh
32. ‘Cars 3’ (2017)
Box Office: $383.9 million
While many hold the opinion that the Cars movies have steadily declined as the franchise has gone on, no one can deny the premise and characters alone still hold an entrancing allure in the minds of young viewers with their racing excitement. Released 11 years after the original film, Cars 3 sees Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) working with Cruz Ramirez (Cristela Alonzo) as he seeks to re-affirm his greatness despite struggling against the new generation of racers.
Capitalizing on a release window that was largely non-competitive, Cars 3 opened at number one at the U.S. box office with an opening weekend intake of $53.7 million, a figure that is actually the lowest of the Cars franchise. This would prove to be somewhat prophetic, as Cars 3 would become the lowest-grossing film in the series by a significant margin. However, it still went on to be a moderate box office success, making $383.9 million throughout its cinematic run.
- Release Date
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June 16, 2017
- Runtime
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109minutes
- Director
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Brian Fee
- Writers
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Brian Fee, Ben Queen, Eyal Podell, Jonathon E. Stewart, Kiel Murray, Bob Peterson
31. ‘Beauty and the Beast’ (1991)
Box Office: $424.9 million
A glistening gem of 1990s animated cinema, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is, even today, a defining hallmark of the animated studio’s impeccable ability to mesh fantasy fairy tale wonder with a romanticism that enchants children and adults alike. Based on the renowned folk legend and fairy-tale first penned by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve, it follows the blossoming romance between a prince cursed to live his life as a heinous beast and the adventurous village girl who might just be the true love he needs to vanquish his horrific curse.
While its opening weekend performance garnered just $9.6 million, Beauty and the Beast would perform well in a box office marathon more than a sprint, ending its run in theaters with $145.9 million in U.S. markets and $331.9 million worldwide to be the third highest-grossing film of 1991. Its box office fortunes have continued to soar over the decades with frequent re-releases, including a 2012 3D re-release which garnered $17.8 million in its opening weekend, almost doubling its performance upon initial release.
30. ‘Tarzan’ (1999)
Box Office: $448.2 million
One of Disney animation’s hallmark movies of the 1990s, Tarzan hurries along at a brisk pace as it realizes Edgar Rice Burroughs’ iconic forest-dwelling character in animated form for the first time. Orphaned and raised by mountain gorillas in the African wilderness, Tarzan’s (Tony Goldwyn) life changes dramatically when explorers arrive in the area and he encounters Jane (Minnie Driver). Falling in love, Tarzan must decide between following Jane, and embracing human civilization, or staying with those who raised him as they are threatened by a hunter.
A progressive achievement in animation at the time of release, Tarzan is able to blend its action-packed adventure story with spellbinding visuals to present, what was at the time, a uniquely captivating film experience. As such, it was a huge hit with both critics and fans, earning widespread acclaim while amassing an impressive box office intake of $448.2 million and furthering the legend of the famous character.
- Release Date
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June 18, 1999
- Runtime
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88 Minutes
- Director
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Kevin Lima, Chris Buck
- Writers
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Tab Murphy, Bob Tzudiker, Noni White
29. ‘Cars’ (2006)
Box Office: $461.9 million
While many critics made the point that its narrative could have been stronger, Cars has become nothing short of an animated phenomenon of the 21st century with Pixar’s typically gorgeous visuals meshing with a story of sporting triumph and self-discovery in dazzling fashion. It follows Lightning McQueen, a professional race car who finds himself lost in the small town of Radiator Springs while en route to California to compete in the Piston Cup Championship. His unexpected detour sees him befriending the grounded locals while learning important lessons about life outside the racetrack.
Its sheer racing excitement and its eccentric characters are evidence enough of why the film still holds such an appeal for younger audiences. Released on June 9, 2006, Cars debuted at number one at the box office and went on to gross $461.9 million throughout its run while launching a hugely successful and sprawling animated franchise in the process. Interestingly, it is still considered to be among Pixar’s lesser releases of the 2000s.
28. ‘Wreck-It Ralph’ (2012)
Box Office: $471.2 million
Incredibly fun, a touch nostalgic, and imbued with the ability to explore many different animation styles by nature of its story, Wreck-It Ralph represents Disney animated fun at its vibrant and accessible best. Wreck-It Ralph (John C. Reilly) is the villain of the arcade game “Fix-It Felix”, but growing frustrated in his bad-guy role, he embarks on a voyage to become a hero. However, in the process, he accidentally releases a dangerous enemy that threatens the existence of the entire arcade.
The narrative is imaginative and fun, expertly mixing adventure and comedy together in a wondrous and beautifully crafted world of the arcade. It was a critical success and even earned an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Film. It also thrived at the box office, where it made $496.5 million.
27. ‘Elemental’ (2023)
Box Office: $496.4 million
It may not be the absolute finest example of the majesty of Disney and Pixar’s collaborations in the past, but Elemental still works as a meaningful story realized with outstanding visuals and plenty of heart to boot. Set in a world where fire-, water-, land-, and air-residents live in harmony, it follows the sharp-tongued and fiery Ember (Leah Lewis) who begins to question her understanding of the community around her when circumstances force her to work alongside the easy-going water-resident, Wade Ripple (Mamoudou Athie).
Despite its lukewarm reception from fans and critics alike, Elemental still fared rather well at the box office, flying under the radar to gross $496.4 million throughout its run. This came as a surprise to many, given social attitudes towards seeing animated pictures at the cinema had shifted significantly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise to prominence of Disney+ releases.
26. ‘Aladdin’ (1992)
Box Office: $504.1 million
One of the defining classics of Walt Disney animation through the 1990s, if not through the entirety of the 20th century, Aladdin thrives at every level to deliver an infectious and absorbing viewing experience rife with adventure, musical magnificence, and a litany of scene-stealing characters. It follows a street urchin harboring an impossible love for a princess who finds a chance to pursue his dreams when he encounters a wish-granting genie. However, he finds himself vying for the use of Genie (Robin Williams) against a scheming Grand Vizier with a hidden agenda.
While it was initially released two weeks prior, Aladdin received its nationwide release on Thanksgiving in 1992, going on to gross $217.4 million in America to become the highest-grossing animated movie domestically to that point in time. With an international intake of $286.7 million, it reached a total worldwide gross of $504.1 million to be the highest-grossing movie of 1992.
25. ‘WALL-E’ (2008)
Box Office: $527.4 million
One of the most divine artistic achievements in the history of Disney animation, WALL-E pays homage to several pivotal eras of cinema while still presenting a spellbinding sci-fi adventure from Disney with a strong social message to boot. WALL-E (Ben Burtt) is the last of a wave of waste disposal robots left to clean up Earth when humanity flee the decimated planet. When the curious robot falls in love with EVE (Elissa Knight), a vegetation scanning robot sent to evaluate the condition of Earth, he is whisked away on an intergalactic voyage that changes the course of humanity.
A spectacular display of visual storytelling, WALL-E takes inspiration from everything from silent cinema to the musicals of the 1950s and 60s to realize a story as pointed as it is heartwarming. Given its enduring popularity and brilliance, it is perhaps a surprise that it doesn’t even rank in Disney’s 20 most successful animated films. However, it still grossed $532.5 million, a significant financial triumph in its own right.
24. ‘Ralph Breaks the Internet’ (2018)
Box Office: $529.3 million
The popular sequel to Wreck-It Ralph, Ralph Breaks the Internet sees the eponymous arcade villain embark on a journey into the internet alongside his friend and fellow misfit Vanellope von Schweetz (Sarah Silverman) in order to save the existence of her arcade game, ‘Sugar Rush.’ Completely out of their depth, the duo must rely on the characters they meet in the World Wide Web to navigate the net and achieve their goal.
The larger story enables Ralph Breaks the Internet to not only revisit the incredible visual display of its predecessor but expand upon it while delivering a heartwarming tale that can appeal to audiences of all ages. This universal allure is evinced by the movie’s impressive box office haul of $529.3 million, seeing it surpass its predecessor by over $50 million.
- Release Date
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November 21, 2018
- Runtime
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112 Minutes
- Director
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Rich Moore, Phil Johnston
- Writers
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Pamela Ribon, Phil Johnston
23. ‘Brave’ (2012)
Box Office: $539 million
A spellbinding fantasy adventure that excels at reinventing the idea of the Disney princess, Brave presents the studio at its wondrous best. Princess Merida (Kelly MacDonald) is a courageous archer with a rebellious streak for adventure that leads to trouble when her mother is turned into a bear. Desperate to make amends, Merida sets out to reverse the monstrous curse before it is too late.
Set in the Scottish highlands during medieval times, Brave embraces a different aesthetic and tone to some of Disney’s classic films, evinced by the strong-willed protagonist and the grittier tone of the supporting characters. A huge hit with the public, even if the critical response was only lukewarm, Brave grossed $539 million through its theatrical release.
22. ‘Cars 2’ (2011)
Box Office: $559.8 million
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While 2006’s Cars has become a beloved classic of Disney animation, Cars 2 has largely been forgotten as a cheap sequel. Sadly, as is often the case, the successor proved to be a more lucrative prospect, capitalizing on the popularity and charm of the first film as it traded the simple, character-driven sports story for an international Grand Prix adventure that even includes a detour into global espionage.
Despite being a critical disaster and faring only marginally better with the general public, the animated adventure proved to be a glimmering financial success for Disney, grossing $559.8 million against a budget of $200 million. Interestingly, Cars 2 is by far the highest-grossing movie in the Cars franchise, not only trumping its predecessor but outperforming its stronger successor, Cars 3, to the tune of over $150 million.
21. ‘Monsters, Inc.’ (2001)
Box Office: $579.7 million
One of the studio’s most successful and enduring cultural sensations, Monsters, Inc. stands as a beloved classic that has enjoyed a long-lasting appeal to fans while appealing to new generations of kids as well. It famously follows two monsters who work together as “scarers” and venture into the human world to harvest children’s fear as a power source. However, their lives are completely upended when a young girl travels into their world.
Not only a monumental commercial success with its $579.7 million box office haul, Monsters, Inc. also won over critics and moviegoers en masse. With its inventive and clever premise that puts an appealing spin on the monsters in the closet, the film still stands as a glistening example of Pixar animation’s ability to present fun-loving and creative stories that can charm adults and children alike.
20. ‘Tangled’ (2010)
Box Office: $592.4 million
When animated studios take to putting fun-filled spins on classic fairy tales, the results are often nothing short of iconic. That was the case when Disney released Tangled in 2010, with the animated children’s adventure movie offering a visually stunning reworking of the classic tale of ‘Rapunzel.’ Rapunzel (Mandy Moore) is an innocent girl locked in a tower whose hopes of escape are brought to fruition when a notorious though good-hearted thief takes refuge in her tower.
With whiffs of screwball comedy, swashbuckling adventure, and classic fairy tale charm, the Disney film has become one of the company’s most celebrated hits of all time. In addition to winning widespread critical acclaim, the movie also performed well at the box office, raking in $592.4 million (a good thing considering Tangled‘s enormous budget) while garnering plenty of fans who would watch the movie again and again over the years.
19. ‘Ratatouille’ (2007)
Box Office: $623.7 million
Another of Disney’s most vibrant and energetic animated hits in recent decades, Ratatouille became an instant success upon release with a box office intake of $623.7 million. It follows a Parisian rat with a refined palette who dreams of one day becoming a chef. While he is oblivious to the way humanity views rodents, he forms an unlikely bond with a struggling, young kitchen worker in a gourmet restaurant.
While its basic premise is rife with brilliant character comedy and fun and engaging plot beats, Ratatouille’s true genius resides in its tale of Remy’s (Patton Oswalt) pure love for the craft of cooking and the passion with which he pursues his dream. Wonderful, wistful, and willing to coast on the most unlikely yet endearing of protagonists, Ratatouille continues to endure as one of Disney’s best films this century, one that earned five Academy Award nominations, even winning for Best Animated Feature.
18. ‘The Incredibles’ (2004)
Box Office: $631.6 million
Ahead of the curb in regard to the 21st century’s superhero craze, The Incredibles manages to excel as both a playful comedy that riffs on superhero tropes and an earnest and exciting genre film as well. Set in a world where superheroes have been forced to live as ordinary citizens, it follows a superhuman family as they are lured back into action by the emergence of a supervillain named Syndrome.
Imbued with an abundance of wit, genuinely engaging action sequences, and a vast array of brilliant characters, The Incredibles became a cultural sensation, even going on to win two Academy Awards from four nominations, an impressive figure for an animated film. Naturally, it played well with audiences as well, with its box office earnings of $631.4 million making it an incredible commercial achievement.
17. ‘Big Hero 6’ (2014)
Box Office: $657 million
Excelling as an enthralling and emotionally powerful marriage of superhero spectacle and Disney’s trademark animated charm, Big Hero 6 was a striking adventure defined by its exciting action moments and its heartfelt story of love and grief. Loosely based on the Marvel Comics character, it follows Hiro (Ryan Potter), a young robotics engineer grieving the death of his older brother who forms a bond with his healthcare provider robot, Baymax (Scott Adsit).
Desperate to avenge his brother’s death, Hiro is joined by his friends to form a super squad of high-tech heroes as he rises against the masked villain who caused his brother’s death. While the film’s financial success was impressive in its own right, it has also endured as one of the most celebrated animated Disney films of the 21st century so far, making it all the more baffling that Big Hero 6 still doesn’t have a sequel.
- Release Date
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October 24, 2014
- Runtime
-
1h 42m
- Writers
-
Don Hall, Jordan Roberts, Robert L. Baird, Daniel Gerson, Duncan Rouleau, Steven T. Seagle
16. ‘Moana’ (2016)
Box Office: $687 million
Meshing adventure excitement and enjoyable musical numbers with Polynesian mythology, Moana excelled as a fresh and vibrant animated film from Disney when it was released in 2016. Set in ancient Polynesia, it follows the young daughter of a tribal chief as she ventures out to sea to reunite a powerful relic with the goddess Te Fiti to stave off a curse that is impacting her people.
On her journey, Moana (Auli’i Cravalho) is joined by her beloved pet rooster and Maui (Dwayne Johnson), the temperamental trickster Demigod who incurred the goddess’ wrath to begin with. Bringing the notion of the traditional Disney princess into the modern age, Moana was an empowering and fun-loving success that dominated the market as one of Disney’s best films released this century. Its box office triumph and lasting appeal have seen Moana earn a live-action remake.
15. ‘Up’ (2009)
Box Office: $735 million
As one of Disney’s most critically acclaimed and universally admired movies, one which had an instant impact as a beautiful, heartfelt story, it is quite surprising that Up doesn’t rank inside the studio’s ten highest-grossing animated movies of all time, but it still proved to be an almighty success. It famously follows a grieving old widower who ties balloons to his house to fly to his wife’s dream destination of Paradise Falls, only to find he has been accompanied by a young stowaway.
The animated adventure became an immediate Disney classic largely thanks to Up‘s devastating yet tender opening sequence which depicted the history of Carl’s (Edward Asner) relationship with his late wife. It is still widely regarded to be one of, if not the best, animated films of the 21st century, a notion which is supported by the fact that it won two Academy Awards from five nominations.
14. ‘Monsters University’ (2013)
Box Office: $743 million
Released in 2001, Monsters, Inc. fast became a huge sensation with its fun-filled twist on the notion of monsters as well as its brilliant story and characters. In 2013, fans of the fantasy adventure were able to return to the wonderful world of monsters with the prequel, Monsters University, which followed a young aspiring “scarer” in Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) as he enrolled in Monster University and befriended Sully (John Goodman).
Not dissimilar from the original film, Monsters University‘s biggest strength, aside from its creative story world, proved to be its accessibility, with its appeal spanning from little kids to adults who may have been familiar with its predecessor when they were younger themselves. While it doesn’t surpass the first film, it does manage to be a rewarding and amusing animated adventure.
- Release Date
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June 19, 2013
- Runtime
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104 minutes
- Director
-
Dan Scanlon
- Writers
-
Dan Scanlon, Daniel Gerson, Robert L. Baird
13. ‘Coco’ (2017)
Box Office: $814 million
Managing to be one of Disney’s most acclaimed and successful animated films while also being a somewhat underrated movie as well, Coco is among the strongest films the studio has released in the past decade. It follows a young boy who defies his family’s long-running ban on music and pursues his passion, venturing into the Land of the Dead where he befriends a charming trickster and learns his great-great-grandfather was a renowned singer.
The film was rich with everything that Disney does extraordinarily well, from its gorgeous animation, charming characters, and wondrous story, to its brilliant musical display and even the deft touch with which it explores the story’s darker elements. The film became a huge financial success in Mexico particularly and also went on to win two Academy Awards.
12. ‘Inside Out’ (2015)
Box Office: $858 million
One of Disney’s most insightful and creative animated adventures from any time period, Inside Out focused on the five primary emotions of a young girl as her family embarks on a difficult move to San Francisco (with this challenge being the film’s abstract antagonist). As Riley (Kaitlyn Dias) begins to grow angry and upset about the move, the emotions in her head, led by Joy (Amy Poehler), struggle to navigate her actions.
Interestingly, one of the directors, Pete Docter, got the story idea after noticing changes in his own daughter’s personality as she grew older. Its wonderful screenwriting and world-building done by Docter truly stood out. Inside Out brilliantly transforms emotional conflict as if it’s an adventure and gives a physical reason as to why we feel the way we do.
11. ‘Finding Nemo’ (2003)
Box Office: $941 million
One of the true Disney classics of the early 2000s, Finding Nemo is considered to be one of the most heartfelt and genuine of Pixar’s animated films, one which meshed its touching story with a wondrous, underwater aesthetic to be an enchanting journey for viewers of all ages. It follows Marlin (Albert Brooks), an overprotective clown fish who embarks on a desperate journey to retrieve his son Nemo (Alexander Gould) after he is caught by a diver, all the while Nemo plots his escape from a dentist’s fish tank with the other fish trapped inside.
The Disney film truly excelled on all fronts, with Finding Nemo running as a breathtaking technical feat of animation while also offering as much thrills, fun, suspense, humor, and action as it could pack onto the screen, mixing all its elements together to be a masterful story bolstered by an impeccable voice cast. With its powerful focus on the core father-son relationship, Finding Nemo became the first ever Pixar film to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
10. ‘The Lion King’ (1994)
Box Office: $968 million
A timeless classic of Disney animation, The Lion King has become an icon of cinema in general with its epic adventure tale serving as a unique, modern, and brilliant adaptation of Hamlet. It tells the story of Simba (Matthew Broderick), a young lion cub destined to succeed his father, Mufasa (James Earl Jones), as the King of the Pride Lands, but he is cast out of the kingdom when his conniving, murderous uncle, Scar (Jeremy Irons), seizes the throne. Living in exile, Simba makes two unlikely friends before fate calls on him to return to the Pride Lands and avenge his father.
It remains as powerful and gripping a movie today as it was upon release in 1994, and it seems to only grow greater with every rewatch. With its memorable characters and vast array of unforgettable songs, the cherished Disney classic stands among the greatest animated movies of all time, while its legacy has been carried on as it has been adapted into an award-winning stage musical.
9. ‘Moana 2’ (2024)
Box Office: $991.3 million
While it has already come to be viewed as a bit of an unnecessary expansion on one of Disney’s best animated features of the past decade, Moana 2 still enchants viewers with its breathtaking animation and its array of wonderful characters. Set three years after the events of the first film, it follows Moana as she treks across the seas of Oceania at the behest of her wayfaring ancestors.
Blending its adventurous fervor with plenty of musical fun, it is easy to see why Moana 2 has excelled at the box office. Bolstered by a Thanksgiving weekend release, it grossed $139.8 million in its opening weekend, thus surpassing the previous record for a Disney animated film held by Frozen II. As of January 15, 2025, Moana 2 has grossed $991.3 million worldwide, a figure that will surely continue to soar in the coming weeks.
8. ‘Zootopia’ (2016)
Box Office: $1.02 billion
Yet another Disney classic to reap rewards for combining a fun and catchy story with a creative use of animal characters, Zootopia became just the third Disney animated movie to surpass $1 billion at the box office. It also received widespread critical acclaim for its imaginative narrative and its developed, well-realized story world, as well as the depth with which Zootopia explored its central themes of diversity and inclusion in a mature yet kid-friendly manner.
Set in a world where animals live in harmony in a civilized, urban society, it follows rookie bunny police officer Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) as she works with cynical, con-artist fox Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) to uncover a conspiracy involving the mysterious disappearance of the city’s predatory mammals. Delivering an important message with grace, while still offering an engaging and humorous story with immaculate animation, Zootopia appealed to audiences of all ages to be a defining success of Disney’s revival era.
7. ‘Finding Dory’ (2016)
Box Office: $1.02 billion
Propelling from the launchpad set by the already impressive performance of Finding Nemo, the long-awaited Finding Dory became one of Disney’s highest-grossing films ever. Focusing on Marlin’s trusty though forgetful sidekick from the first Pixar film, this sequel saw Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) set off to find her parents, piecing together what little she could of them from her memories, all while being accompanied by her friends Marlin and Nemo.
The film rehashes elements from the original’s plot, with Dory learning her parents are being held in the Marine Life Institute and vowing to save them from captivity. Delightfully though, the familiar story worked a treat to deliver a funny, cute, and enthralling animated story that fans of Finding Nemo were sure to love. It also cleverly addressed themes such as family, acceptance, and disability to be a powerful entry in Disney’s animated filmography.
- Release Date
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June 17, 2016
- Runtime
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97 Minutes
- Director
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Angus MacLane, Andrew Stanton
- Writers
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Andrew Stanton, Victoria Strouse
6. ‘Toy Story 3’ (2010)
Box Office: $1.06 billion
The long-awaited sequel to the beloved Toy Story 2 follows Andy Davis (John Morris) as he prepares to leave for college. As he packs, his mother mistakenly switches the boxes and accidentally donates his favorite toys to Sunnyside Daycare. Woody (Tom Hanks) tries his best to convince his friends that they weren’t simply abandoned while they plan an escape from the kids who don’t play nice.
This movie is made for audiences of all ages with a story that everyone can relate to. Many people have grown up alongside Andy and can feel everything he is feeling. With Andy getting older, Woody and Buzz (Tim Allen) must move on and have another adventure with their new owner, Bonnie. Considered one of the best third movies in a franchise, Toy Story 3‘s incredible animation and strong characters ensure this heartfelt blockbuster will stand the test of time.
5. ‘Toy Story 4’ (2019)
Box Office: $1.07 billion
Another monumental financial achievement from the Toy Story franchise, Toy Story 4 saw Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and the rest of the gang go on another adventure with their new owner, Bonnie (Madeleine McGraw), and her strange creation, Forky (Tony Hale). The toys begin to consider what they want for themselves when they unexpectedly reunite with Bo-Peep (Annie Potts) in their travels, though they must act quickly when Woody and Forky are abducted by Gabby Gabby (Christina Hendricks).
Marking the end of an era for the beloved franchise, this movie brings the story of Woody and Buzz to a satisfying conclusion that gives closure to long-time fans. It received critical acclaim for its use of cutting-edge technology to create stunning visuals and animation. Its emotional storyline and beloved characters captured the hearts of audiences, especially with nostalgic callbacks to earlier movies.
4. ‘Incredibles 2’ (2018)
Box Office: $1.24 billion
Incredibles 2 picks up right where its predecessor left off, with the Parr family once again using their superpowers to save the world. They are offered hope of rehabilitating the public image of the Supers by the Deavor siblings (Catherine Keener and Bob Odenkirk) after the shutdown of the Super Relocation Program. Elastigirl (Holly Hunter) becomes the face of the campaign while her family must identify and defeat the cyber-criminal, Screenslaver.
Fans had been waiting over a decade for a sequel to The Incredibles and it did not disappoint with its blend of action, humor, and heartwarming family dynamics. Although it doesn’t live up to the original entirely, it did prove to be a landmark success for Disney with its box office figures surpassing $1 billion with ease to be one of the highest-grossing Disney movies of all time.
3. ‘Frozen’ (2013)
Box Office: $1.28 billion
Frozen quickly became a cultural phenomenon during its initial release. Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen‘s 1844 fairy tale The Snow Queen, the movie tells the story of Princess Anna (Kristen Bell) as she works with mountaineer Kristoff (Jonathan Groff), his reindeer Sven, and the snowman Olaf (Josh Gad) to find Elsa (Idina Menzel) after she trapped their kingdom in eternal winter with her icy powers.
Considered a game changer for Disney, Frozen is a cultural phenomenon that has strong female leads and an unforgettable soundtrack that features the hit song “Let It Go.” It helped revive the interest in traditional Disney musicals as one of the best animated movies to watch during the holidays. As a touchstone for countless merchandise, stage adaptations, and even a sequel, there’s no question of its influence as Frozen stands as one of the highest-grossing Disney movies ever made.
2. ‘Frozen II’ (2019)
Box Office: $1.45 billion
Springing forward off the record-breaking success of its predecessor, Frozen II exceeded expectations to become the most successful Disney movie of all time. Capitalizing on the reunion of Elsa and Anna which served as the grand finale of Frozen, the sequel sees the two sisters and their friends embark on a journey to an ancient, autumn-bound forest to uncover the secret of Elsa’s powers after she hears a mysterious voice calling out to her.
With its stunning visuals, catchy soundtrack, and touching story of family and self-discovery, Frozen II was able to expand upon its predecessor even if it didn’t surpass it in terms of quality and critical acclaim. Its eagerness to delve deeper into the story world’s mythology and explore meaningful themes while presenting an engaging animated adventure proved to be defining of its success. A third Frozen movie is currently in development, with Disney looking to capitalize on interest in the franchise while also fleshing out more that the wondrous setting has to offer.
1. ‘Inside Out 2’ (2024)
Box Office: $1.69 billion
A stunning sequel to one of Disney animation’s most acclaimed and successful films of all time, Inside Out 2 has broken box office records to become the highest-grossing animated movie of all time with an almighty final box office intake of $1.69 billion. The five emotions in Riley’s head have been operating fluidly since the move to San Francisco, but the arrival of new emotions, spearheaded by Anxiety (Maya Hawke), threaten the harmony they have created.
Maintaining the charm, intelligence, and emotional depth of the first film, Inside Out 2 benefits from adding a healthy dose of adolescent angst to Riley’s mental HQ that offers the story a means to expand naturally from its predecessor. While it doesn’t quite surpass the brilliance of Inside Out, it does enough to reward returning fans and invite some new ones, as evinced by its monumental financial achievement.