Disneyhas been responsible for some of themost popular and enduring animated movies of all time, although only a select few have managed to surpass $1 billion at the global box office. This astounding financial achievement signals a movie that viewers connected with deeply and a widespread appreciation that caused audiences to show up in droves to see the film in theaters. While most of these box office successes were sequels or reimaginings of already existing properties, some also included original releases that showcased audiences were still willing to take a risk on an unknown property.
Some of thebest Disney movies of all timetook in more than $1 billion at the box office, asartistic integrity can thankfully be paired with financial gain in films that are both critically and commercially successful. From the global phenomenon that wasFrozento the divisive nature of the photorealistic remake ofThe Lion King, the varied nature of theseDisney box office hitsalso meant that some were certainly better than others. Whether it’s from acclaimed franchises, original one-off releases, or long-anticipated sequels, all these films managed to reach a huge audience.
10The Lion King (2019)
Box office: $1,661,454,403
Whilethe jury is still out on whether the 2019 photorealistic remake ofThe Lion Kingcan even be considered animation, one thing that’s not in question is its box-office success. This updated release was part of the recent string of live-action versions of classic Disney properties, although, without any human characters, it certainly wasn’t live-action, and its attempts toward realism bordered on uncanny valley levels of discomfort. The problem with the 2019 version ofThe Lion Kingwas that the cartoonish expressions of Simba, Timon, and Pumbaa were part of the movie’s charm, and their absence felt wrong.
The Lion Kingwas a prime example of Hollywood being totally bereft of ideas, and the movie’s undeniable success at the box office saw Disney being rewarded for a lack of creativity. While the special effects were impressive, and it’s clear a lot of hard work went into getting this movie made, that doesn’t change the fact that it didn’t need to be made. The 1994 version ofThe Lion Kingstood as one of Disney’s crowning achievements, and this version was always going to play second fiddle to an animated masterpiece.
9Moana 2 (2024)
Box office: $1,026,829,674
Moana 2was released eight years after the original and wasn’t initially developed as a feature film. While this was a highly anticipated follow-up to a modern Disney classic, the truth was its origins as a Disney+ miniseries meant the results felt like a hastily put-together mishmash of disparate episodes and didn’t fully work as a cohesive whole. This origin story meantMoana 2had more in common with lackluster Disney sequels likeThe Return of Jafar, which was five episodes of a plannedAladdinTV show all stuck together, than it did truly compelling animated films likeToy Story 2.
However, whatMoana 2lacked in narrative cohesion, it more than made up for with stunning visuals and some enjoyable musical numbers. Viewers clearly turned out to watchthe continued adventures of Moana and the shapeshifting demigod Mauias the film went on to gross over $1 billion at the global box office. With thedoor still open for a possibleMoana 3, audiences can only hope they do the franchise justice and plan it out as a feature film right from the beginning.
8Frozen II (2019)
Box office: $1,451,653,316
The originalFrozenexceeded even the most optimistic Disney executive’s expectations to become a global phenomenon whose widespread merchandising and worldwide ubiquity meant it was totally unavoidable. With a compelling story, a hugely popular soundtrack, and great characters, a sequel was inevitable, andFrozen IIalso hit big at the box office, grossing over $1.4 billion. Telling the story of Elsa, Anna, and Olaf traveling to the enchanted forest to uncover the mystery of Elsa’s magical ice powers,Frozen IIwas not quite as compelling as the originalbut still stood as a worthy follow-up.
With impressive animation and themes exploring unity, courage, hope, friendship, and truth,Frozen IIwas a dazzling adventure into the unknown that still failed to fully recapture the magic of the original. While the characters remained as engaging as ever, the music inFrozen IIdidn’t have the same impact on popular culture as it lacked a musical number to equal the global dominance “Let It Go” had in 2013. However, withFrozen 3andFrozen 4in development (viaVariety), audiences haven’t heard the last from the Kingdom of Arendelle.
7Finding Dory (2016)
Box office: $1,025,006,125
It’s a testament to the appeal of Disney’s more established properties that almost all of their animated releases to crack over $1 billion at the global box office were movie sequels. Yet another example of this wasFinding Dory, the long animated follow-up to the Pixar classicFinding Nemo.
As a sequel and spin-off that saw Ellen DeGeneres and Albert Brooks return to reprise their roles, this underwater story shifted its focus to the forgetful fish Dory, as she embarked on a journey to be reunited with her long-lost parents.Finding Dorywas a funny, poignant, andthought-provoking new chapter in this fish-based franchise that added depth and intrigue to Dory’s character.
Carrying forward the themes of family, parenting, and bonding seen in the original, the 13 years that passed between installments only served to make the underwater animation all the more stunning. While Dory may not have the best memory, viewers will have trouble forgetting the heartwarming appeal of this enjoyable sequel.
6Incredibles 2 (2018)
Box office: $1,242,805,359
It’s amazing how nostalgia and absence can build up audience excitement for a new release asIncredibles 2grossed over $1.2 billion at the global box office, a figure that was nearly double the $631 million earned by the original 2004 movie. As the continued tale of the superpowered Parr family attempting to restore the public’s trust in superheroes while balancing their domestic life,Incredibles 2mixed humor and heart for yet another crowd-pleasing adventure.
With elements of action, family drama, and awe-inspiring superheroism,Incredibles 2was a character-driven film that showcased the importance of working together and appreciating one another’s differences. With a love of the original’s legacy,Incredibles 2managed to relive past glories while not feeling like a total rehash of the first film. WithIncredibles 3officially in the works as of 2024 (viaEW), audiences can look forward to seeing what’s next from director and writer Brad Bird regarding this crime-fighting family.
5Toy Story 4 (2019)
Box office: $1,071,177,215
Even thoughToy Story 3felt like the perfect ending to one of the greatest movie trilogies ever, Pixar felt they had a strong enough story idea to releaseToy Story 4in 2019. The result was yet another $1 billion-plus box office success that proved audiences still had room in their hearts for Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and the rest of the toys that make up this unique animated world. With Woody and Buzz on a road trip along with a new makeshift toy named Forky, the gang’s world got bigger as they had to decide where their loyalties lie.
Toy Story 4was a lot of fun and featured great animation, intriguing new characters, and a unique premise, yet it also felt like the weakest entry in the entire franchise. Despite boasting incredible box office success, it’s hard not to feel like the legacy of the franchise would have been better served by leaving it at just three films. AlthoughToy Story 4was still miles ahead of countless other animated releases, the bar had been set so high in this series it was always going to come up short when competing with itself.
4Zootopia (2016)
Box office: $1,025,485,003
As Disney’s most recent animated film not based on an already existing property to crack $1 billion at the box office, the success ofZootopiashowcased that, for the right movie, audiences are willing to take a chance on an original film.
Set in a world populated by anthropomorphic animals,Zootopiasaw a rookie police officer rabbit and a con artist fox working together to uncover a vast conspiracy of missing predators. As a unique genre-bending release that was essential to a noir-style crime mystery for kids,Zootopiawas one of Disney’s most original films in years.
Zootopiawas also released asZootropolisorZoomaniain different regions.
With a richly crafted message on the dangers of prejudice,Zootopiawas a timely and thought-provoking movie that highlighted how films aimed at young viewers can still bravely tackle important and political themes.Zootopia’smessage about prevailing in the face of xenophobic political rhetoricfelt nuanced and contemplative during a time when the real-world news media was actively struggling with these subjects.
3Inside Out 2 (2024)
Box office: $1,698,863,816
The originalInside Outproved that the inside of a child’s mind could be just as vast and sprawling as any fantastical cinematic universe envisioned by Disney or Pixar. Telling the continued story of Riley Andersen,Inside Out 2introduced more complex emotions as this 13-year-old struggled with her sense of self in the wake of puberty and the introduction of new emotions like Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment, and Ennui. By delving even deeper into Riley’s complex emotions,Inside Out 2managed to once again present the topic of psychology in a way that young viewers could understand.
Not only didInside Out 2hit big at the box office, but its nearly $1.7 billion earnings made it Disney’s most successful animated release and their fourth most successful movie overall, afterAvengers: Infinity War,Star Wars: The Force Awakens, andAvengers: Endgame. With a story that explored teen angst with a level of understanding and realism rarely seen in children’s animation,Inside Out 2understood that growing up is never easy and that being a teenager is among the most fraught and confusing times in a person’s life.
2Frozen (2013)
Box office: $1,271,023,300
Few animated movies have had a bigger impact on mainstream popular culture thanFrozen, a film whose astronomical success represented one of Disney’s most impressive achievements in the 21st century. As a film inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s 1844 fairy tale “The Snow Queen,Frozenechoed the best releases of the Disney Renaissance as it took a classic story and retold it in a way that appealed to modern children. With massively successful musical numbers such as “Let It Go,”Frozen’ssuccess exceeded the film itself, as widespread merchandising meant its impact was unavoidable.
Frozenwas released to widespread success, and its popularity only continued to grow as the years went on. With Academy Award wins for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song,Frozenreceived major accolades and finished its theatrical run as the then-fifth highest-grossing movie of all time. With heart, humor, great characters, and memorable songs,Frozenwas pretty much everything a young viewer could want from a kids’ movie.
1Toy Story 3 (2010)
Box office: $1,068,879,522
As a sequel coming out 11 years afterToy Story 2, the third installment in Pixar’s signature franchise had a lot to live up to and thankfully managed to exceed all expectations.Toy Story 3leaned into this series' talent for heartbreaking emotional resonance as the once lovable kid Andy went off to college and Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and the rest of his toys were accidentally donated to the Sunnyside Daycare center by Andy’s mother. Thrust into an uncertain and confusing new world,Woody and the gang must find a new purpose.
With plenty of twists and turns,Toy Story 3was an emotional conclusion to the original trilogy, and it received widespread critical acclaim for the way it balanced humor with intense dramatic heft. As a box office smash that became the first animated film to ever surpass $1 billion at the global box office, the release ofToy Story 3was a historic moment. While together,Disneyand Pixar have had some astounding releases, out of all their $1 billion-plus animated successes,Toy Story 3remains the most impressive.
Source: All box office figures were sourced fromThe Numbers,Variety,EW
