Disney’s 12 Highest Grossing Animated Films of All Time

Disney has taken the film industry to a whole new level following their first film production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937). From there on, they continued to produce various films and have become the leading distributors in the world of animation. Throughout the years, they have brought some incredible characters and stories into the world, and produced some of the highest grossing animated films of all time.

Disney’s most recent hit animation film, Elemental (2023), hit cinemas July 7 and took the world by storm, grossing over $350 million at the worldwide box office. Let’s take a look at their most successful theatrical runs in the world of animation.

Box office – $743 million | IMDb rating – 7.2/10 | 1:44 runtime

Monsters University follows the two iconic characters Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) and Sully (John Goodman) as they join Monsters University with plans to graduate as the scariest monsters on their planet. Whilst beginning as archenemies, they soon become best friends, recruiting the outcasts of the university to join their team. Monsters University highlights the story and origins of the friendship presented within Monsters Inc (2001) while giving an insight into the beginning of their journey.

Box office – $814 million | IMDb rating – 8.4/10 | 1:45 runtime

Coco follows a passionate young boy Miguel (Anthony Gonzalez) who goes against his family’s wishes and pursues his passion for music by crossing paths with the Land of the Dead, where he learns his family’s past secrets, including that his great-great-grandfather was a successful singer.

Coco is an extraordinary film highlighting the beauty of Mexican culture with incredible animation and colour throughout.

Box office – $858 million | IMDb rating – 8.1/10 | 1:35 runtime

After Riley (Kaitlyn Dias) has to move on from her beloved family in San Francisco, she must adjust to her new life whilst her emotions, Joy, Fear, Disgust, Sadness and Anger take full control over her actions and thoughts against her friends and family.

Sadness springs a disaster at the emotion headquarters after she gets her hands on Riley’s core memories, spiraling her into a state of depression. Joy must undo Sadness’ actions to bring Riley’s happiness back.

Box office – $941 million | IMDb rating – 8.2/10 | 1:40 runtime 

Directors Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich tell the story of Marlin (Albert Brooks) and his forgetful friend Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) as they search for his missing son Nemo (Alexander Gould). Along the way, they encounter some risks and challenges which make it much harder to find him.

Upon its release in 2003, Finding Nemo received endless praise from critics for its incredible visual elements, loveable characters, and screenplay. Finding Nemo went on to become the highest-grossing animated film at the time of its release.

Box office – $986 million | IMDb rating – 8.5/10 | 1:27 runtime

A young cub named Simba (Matthew Broderick) is destined to be the King of the Pride Lands, however after his father Mufasa (James Earl Jones) is killed by Scar (Jeremy Irons) to take the throne, Simba goes into exile, growing apart from the herd as an outcast.

Once Simba is old enough he returns to the herd to challenge his uncle for his rightful place as King of the Pride Lands. The Lion King remains one of the most popular and successful musicals of all time, and is known as a Disney Classic.

Box office – $1.02 billion | IMDb rating – 8/10 | 1:48 runtime

Zootopia is a 2016 animated cop action comedy film taking place in a city where anthropomorphic animals coexist. It follows the story of an unlikely partnership between Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin), a rabbit police officer, and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman), a red fox con artist as they are involved in uncovering a mysterious case.

Zootopia is widely adored and loved by viewers of all ages and was a commercial success during its theatrical release, sharing important messages and relatable, loveable Disney characters.

Box office – $1.02 billion | IMDb rating – 7.3/10 | 1:37 runtime

A sequel to the classic Finding Nemo, Finding Dory was widely anticipated by Disney fans across the world, especially considering the story followed the beloved fan-favorite Dory (Ellen DeGeneres). Finding Dory observes the original three as they search for her long-lost family. To their surprise, they are captured at the Marine Life Institute and must rescue them.

With the loveable characters resurfacing, box office numbers surged drastically, playing on the nostalgia for returning viewers.

Box office – $1.06 billion | IMDb rating – 8.3/10 | 1:43 runtime

After Toy Story 2’s release in 1999, Toy Story 3 was a long-awaited sequel following Andy Davis (John Morris) as he prepares to leave for college, boxing away his childhood toys forever. After sorting through all his once-beloved possessions, Andy’s mother accidentally switches boxes and donates his toys to Sunnyside Daycare and Woody (Tom Hanks) has to convince his fellow friends to escape the daycare and go back to their rightful owner.

Toy Story 3 is considered one of the best movies in the franchise by fans and critics due to its returning original characters as well as fresh, new introductions.

Box office – $1.07 billion | IMDb rating – 7.7/10 | 1:40 runtime

Toy Story 4 is the latest installment in the Toy Story franchise following Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) alongside an unsuspected new creation Forky (Tony Hale), and their adventure with Bonnie (Madeline McGraw). Once they come to some sudden realizations, they quickly question their desires for their future.

Toy Story 4 brings the beloved franchise to an emotional end, giving closure to fans, receiving incredible critical applause, and capturing the hearts of millions.

Box office – $1.24 billion | IMDb rating – 7.6/10 | 2:06 runtime

Written and directed by Brad Bird, Incredibles 2 is the second installment in the franchise. It follows the Incredibles as they attempt to build and restore the public’s trust in superheroes after recent events whilst also balancing their family life and teenage drama.

Premiering in Los Angeles on June 5, 2018, Incredibles 2 received positive reviews from critics and lifelong fans, praising its screenplay, musical score and animation. Grossing $182.7 million in its opening weekend, it broke the record for the best animated film debut.

Box office – $1.28 billion | IMDb rating – 7.4/10 | 1:48 runtime

Frozen, the 53rd Disney animated feature film, is inspired by the 1844 fairy tale The Snow Queen (Hans Christian Andersen) and tells the story of Princess Anna (Kristen Bell) as she teams up with Kristoff (Jonathan Groff), his reindeer Sven (Jonathan Groff) and Olaf (Josh Gad) on a journey to find her estranged sister who has trapped their kingdom in eternal winter.

Frozen was praised for its visuals, voice acting and themes, and many consider it to be Disney’s best animated film. Receiving two awards at the 86th Academy Awards alongside many others.

Box office – $1.45 billion | IMDb rating – 6.8/10 | 1:43 runtime

Set three years after the original film, Frozen II follows Anna (Kristen Bell), Elsa (Idina Menzel), Kristoff (Jonathan Groff), Reindeer Sven (Jonathan Groff) and the beloved snowman Olaf (Josh Gad) as they travel to an enchanted forest to uncover the secrecy and origins of Elsa’s powers.

Earning $1.45 billion worldwide, Frozen II received positive reviews from critics and finished its theatrical run as the third-highest-grossing film of 2019. Frozen II was also nominated for Best Original Song.

Although some known classics haven’t reached box office success to the extent as seen above, all Disney films are available to view on Disney+, and Disney’s power in the animated world is incomparable.

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