Highest Grossing Box Office Animated Film Franchises

Animation has not only captivated audiences of all ages but also emerged as a dominant force in the entertainment industry. With the introduction of new installments and ongoing support, the battle for the title of the highest-grossing animated franchise is ever-evolving. These franchises have achieved remarkable success, often rivaling the biggest live-action films in terms of profitability. Here, we delve into the 15 highest-grossing animated franchises of all time, exploring their impact, success, and what sets them apart.

Table of Contents

15. Hotel Transylvania Franchise

Total Box Office: $1.399 Billion

Sony Pictures Animation’s Hotel Transylvania franchise stands out for its distinctive Halloween-themed storyline, vibrant animation style, and unique humor. The series centers around a hotel owned by Count Dracula (voiced by Adam Sandler), designed to accommodate monsters who wish to escape the human world. The narrative gains additional depth with Dracula’s interactions with humanity, especially through his daughter’s husband, Johnny (voiced by Andy Samberg).

The franchise, known for its family-friendly take on classic horror characters, has grown in popularity with each installment. Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation is the highest-grossing film in the series, amassing $528 million worldwide. Although Hotel Transylvania 4 was released as a streaming original due to COVID-19, the series continues to be a beloved favorite.

14. How to Train Your Dragon Franchise

Total Box Office: $1.630 Billion

DreamWorks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon trilogy has garnered critical acclaim and widespread affection, demonstrating that DreamWorks excels beyond comedy. Set in a Viking village surrounded by dragons, the series chronicles the transformation from fear to friendship between humans and these majestic creatures.

The first film, How to Train Your Dragon, earned $217 million domestically and marked a significant milestone for DreamWorks. The series’ enchanting dragon designs and emotionally rich storytelling have led to substantial box office success. The franchise’s impact is further underscored by the upcoming live-action adaptation, promising to elevate its success even more.

13. Cars Franchise

Total Box Office: $1.795 Billion

Pixar’s Cars franchise is synonymous with its profitability and wide market appeal. Set in a world of living automobiles, the series revolves around Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson) and his adventures in the small town of Radiator Springs.

The franchise’s financial success is marked by its extensive merchandise sales and its notable trilogy. The Cars films, particularly Cars 3, have resonated with audiences worldwide. The spin-off films, while less successful, contribute to the franchise’s overall success.

12. Doraemon Franchise

Total Box Office: $1.852 Billion

Japan’s Doraemon franchise, based on the beloved manga series, features the adventures of a robotic cat from the 22nd century helping a young boy named Nobita Nobi. Since its debut in 1980, the franchise has released 44 theatrical films and continues to perform exceptionally well in Japan.

Doraemon: Stand by Me (2014) remains the franchise’s highest-grossing film with $183 million, while the latest installment, Doraemon: Nobita’s Sky Utopia, adds to its impressive total box office earnings of $1.852 billion.

11. The Incredibles Franchise

Total Box Office: $1.874 Billion

Pixar’s The Incredibles franchise, despite having only two films, has achieved remarkable success. The series follows the Parr family, superheroes in a world that has largely moved beyond them.

The Incredibles 2 emerged as Pixar’s highest-grossing film, earning $1.242 billion globally. The franchise’s compelling portrayal of superheroes and family dynamics ensures its continued success, with potential future installments likely to extend its impressive track record.

10. Finding Nemo Franchise

Total Box Office: $1.964 Billion

Another Pixar triumph, the Finding Nemo franchise, is celebrated for its stunning visuals and heartfelt storytelling. The original Finding Nemo film follows Marlin’s journey across the ocean to rescue his son Nemo. Its sequel, Finding Dory, continues the adventure with a focus on Dory’s quest for her past.

The original film earned $936 million, making it the highest-grossing animated film of its time, while Finding Dory surpassed it with $1.028 billion. The franchise’s universal appeal and emotional depth contribute significantly to its overall success.

9. Madagascar Franchise

Total Box Office: $2.270 Billion

DreamWorks Animation’s Madagascar franchise is renowned for its humor and star-studded voice cast, featuring Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett Smith, and David Schwimmer. The story follows zoo animals trying to return to their New York home after being shipped to Madagascar.

The franchise’s success is highlighted by Madagascar: Europe’s Most Wanted, which earned $746 million. Although the series has not seen a new theatrical release since Penguins of Madagascar (2014), its cumulative earnings reflect its enduring popularity.

8. Kung Fu Panda Franchise

Total Box Office: $2.365 Billion

DreamWorks’ Kung Fu Panda franchise combines cultural themes with engaging action and humor. The series follows Po (voiced by Jack Black), an unlikely hero who becomes the Dragon Warrior tasked with protecting his homeland.

The films have enjoyed significant international success, with Kung Fu Panda 3 earning more in China than in the U.S. The franchise’s ability to connect with global audiences and maintain cultural relevance contributes to its substantial box office total.

7. Inside Out Franchise

Total Box Office: $2.499 Billion

Pixar’s Inside Out franchise, though currently limited to two films, has made a significant impact with its innovative storytelling. The series explores the emotional landscape of a young girl, providing a unique perspective on the inner workings of emotions.

The original Inside Out earned $850 million worldwide, but it’s the sequel that truly elevated the franchise’s status. Inside Out 2 has achieved record-breaking success, becoming Pixar’s highest-grossing film and the highest-grossing animated film of all time.

6. The Lion King Franchise

Total Box Office: $2.631 Billion

Walt Disney’s The Lion King franchise, including the 1994 original and the 2019 remake, holds a significant place in animated film history. The story of Simba, a lion prince reclaiming his kingdom, resonates deeply with audiences.

The original The Lion King earned $968 million, while the 2019 remake significantly outperformed it with $1.663 billion. This remarkable success underscores the franchise’s lasting appeal and the powerful impact of its narrative and animation.

5. Frozen Franchise

Total Box Office: $2.743 Billion

Disney’s Frozen franchise quickly became a cultural phenomenon with its catchy songs and emotional storytelling. The films follow sisters Anna and Elsa, focusing on themes of love and self-discovery.

Both films in the franchise have surpassed $1.2 billion at the box office, with Frozen II earning $1.453 billion. The announcement of Frozen III suggests that the franchise will continue to achieve new heights in box office success.

4. Ice Age Franchise

Total Box Office: $3.219 Billion

Ice Age, created by Blue Sky Studios, is renowned for its portrayal of prehistoric creatures navigating a constantly changing world. The franchise’s consistent box office success includes hits like Dawn of the Dinosaurs and Continental Drift.

Despite mixed critical reception, the franchise’s charm and entertaining narrative contributed to its impressive total earnings of $3.219 billion, solidifying its place among the highest-grossing animated franchises.

3. Toy Story Franchise

Total Box Office: $3.270 Billion

Pixar’s Toy Story franchise is a groundbreaking series that has revolutionized animation. The films explore the secret lives of toys and have consistently received critical acclaim and box office success.

Toy Story 3 was the first animated film to gross over $1 billion, and Toy Story 4 achieved the same feat. The upcoming Toy Story 5 is expected to further solidify the franchise’s place as a major player in animated film history.

2. Shrek Franchise

Total Box Office: $4.022 Billion

DreamWorks’ Shrek franchise transformed the landscape of animated films with its innovative humor and cultural commentary. The original film’s success led to several sequels and spin-offs, including the popular Puss in Boots series.

Shrek 2 remains one of the highest-grossing animated films ever, with $935 million. The franchise’s enduring popularity and extensive merchandise contribute to its impressive total box office earnings.

1. Despicable Me Franchise

Total Box Office: $4.596 Billion

Illumination’s Despicable Me franchise holds the top spot with its blend of humor, action, and heartwarming stories. The series centers on Gru, a supervillain turned hero, and his loyal Minions.

The franchise’s success is marked by its consistently high earnings, with Despicable Me 3 earning over $1 billion. The Minions spin-offs further expand the franchise’s appeal, making it the highest-grossing animated franchise of all time.

Conclusion

The success of these franchises highlights the evolving nature of animated films and their ability to captivate audiences across the globe. From Pixar’s groundbreaking innovations to DreamWorks’ inventive storytelling, each franchise has made a significant impact on the industry. As the animation landscape continues to evolve, these franchises set the standard for what is possible in animated storytelling.

Sources: Box Office Mojo, IMDb, Box Office Pro