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A beloved and long - running staple fibre of cinema , animatedofferings have accounted for some of thegreatest movies of all time . While many of these movies are principally targeted at young audience , the innate overall quality , sidesplitting humor , and ecumenical themes that can be found in thebest enliven movies ever madestill make for timeless movie that appeal to audiences of all generations . In many case , the wildfire success of these outings has spawned multi - film dealership that have go on to become some of the most commercially successful ventures in cinematic history .
While it ’s interesting to mention that no alive entries make up the all - time top ten inclination of highest - grossing movie franchises , cinema ’s top fifty is still peppered with standout offerings , range from beloved classic likeToy Storyto exciting new arrivals likeInside Out . Earning center - watering commercial return to rubber - stamp their condition as box - office titan , the highest - gross animated movie franchises of all sentence encompass some of the most influential and meaning pic that popular culture has ever witnessed .
10Madagascar
Worldwide Box Office Gross: $2.2 Billion
TheMadagascarfranchise is a democratic animated drollery series produce by DreamWorks Animation . The story follows a chemical group of zoological garden creature — Alex the Leo the Lion , Marty the zebra , Melman the camelopard , and Gloria the hippo — who take to the woods their easy life-time in New York ’s Central Park Zoo and find themselves in the wilds of Madagascar . The films are known for their wit , vibrant animation , and lovable theatrical role , blending brute antics with heartfelt friendly relationship root .
MadagascarFranchise Entries by Year
Worldwide Box Office Gross
Madagascar(2005 )
$ 565.5 Million
Madagascar : run 2 Africa(2008 )
$ 599.7 Million
Madagascar 3 : Europe ’s Most Wanted(2012 )
$ 746.9 Million
Custom Image by Yeider Chacon
Penguins of Madagascar(2014 )
$ 366.9 Million
The rare model of a serial that amend from a critical and commercial perspective with every subsequent release , Madagascarbeats out the likes ofThe IncrediblesandMoanato land as the tenth - highest - grossing quicken movie franchise of all time ( viaThe Numbers ) . From a fiscal perspective , this trend preserve until 2014 ’s tailspin - off flick , Penguins of Madagascar , which regrettably ended up underachieve at the box office .
The Madagascar movies have improved since the 2005 master copy , but could the franchise be a uncommon case of each unexampled movie being better than the last ?
However , whilePenguins of Madagascarmay not have be up to financial expectations , the movie ’s egregious of just under $ 367 million worldwide was still enough to elevateMadagascaraboveFinding Nemointo movie theater ’s top ten highest - grossing animated franchises of all metre . However , consideringMadagascar 4has failed to materializemore than a decade later , the dealership looks to be idle and bury as of 2025 . consequently , do n’t be surprised to eventually see this foresightful - time top ten secureness overtaken in the coming class .
9Kung Fu Panda
Worldwide Box Office Gross: $2.3 Billion
The Kung Fu Panda franchise is a comedic soldierly art adventure series centered around the unconvincing hero sandwich Po , a clumsy panda who woolgather of becoming a kung fu master . With a blend of temper , heart , and legal action , the enfranchisement follows Po ’s journeying as he overcome self - doubtfulness and squeeze his destiny as the Dragon Warrior .
Kung Fu PandaFranchise Entries by yr
Kung Fu Panda(2008 )
$ 632.2 Million
Kung Fu Panda 2(2011 )
$ 664.8 Million
The Kung Fu Panda franchise is a comedic martial arts adventure series centered around the unlikely hero Po, a clumsy panda who dreams of becoming a kung fu master. With a blend of humor, heart, and action, the franchise follows Po’s journey as he overcomes self-doubt and embraces his destiny as the Dragon Warrior.
Kung Fu Panda 3(2016 )
$ 520.2 Million
Kung Fu Panda 4(2024 )
$ 547.8 Million
Whilerumblings over a potentialKung Fu Panda 5have yet to be confirmed , the Jack Black - result soldierlike arts funniness series is still one of the most financially lucrative liven offerings that cinema has ever witnessed . gross more than $ 2.3 billion worldwide across four movies to land as the ninth - highest - gross animated enfranchisement of all time ( viaThe Numbers ) , the thumping returns from 2024’sKung Fu Panda 4saw the serial publication fall to movie theater ’s animated top ten after an absence seizure of near a decade .
The Furious Five barely come along in Kung Fu Panda 4 , but the most late installation in the enfranchisement opened the door to five exciting spinoffs .
One of popular culture ’s most well - know and prominent animated offering for the better part of two ten , Kung Fu Panda’sremarkable box - office returns are a will to just how much of a fan favorite this dealership remains to this mean solar day . The eye - lacrimation returns from the serial ' tardy installment would indicate that it ’s extremely unlikely that we ’ve get word the last of Po and Company , although it ’s worth noting that the dealership risk sullying its sterling wide repute , should future installments race out of steam .
8Inside Out
Worldwide Box Office Gross: $2.5 Billion
TheInside Outfranchise search the inner works of a young girl named Riley Anderson , rivet on her five primary emotions — Joy , Sadness , Anger , Fear , and Disgust — that personify her persuasion and actions . Created by Pete Docter and Ronnie del Carmen , the franchise is praise for its advanced characterization of emotion and genial processes . It start with the 2015 filmInside Out , which became a vital and commercial winner , leading to sequels , a myopic celluloid , video secret plan , and composition park attractions .
Inside OutFranchise Entries by class
Inside Out(2015 )
$ 850.3 Million
Inside Out 2(2024 )
$ 1.7 Billion
Frozen is a multimedia franchise developed within Disney by Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee, and Shane Morris. Originally based on the tale by Hans Christian Andersen, the core of Frozen tells the story of the two sisters of the kingdom of Arendelle, the warm-hearted Anna and the stern but kindly Elsa, who has the power to control ice. Together with their friends, the two sisters unravel the mysteries that surround their kingdom as they learn to manage their royal duties.
Depicting the inner works of a young girl ’s judgment through an array of personified emotion , the critically acclaimedInside Outmovies have earned status as one of the most profitable animated franchises of all time in the blank of just under a decennary . The 8th - highest - gross animated serial ever made ( viaThe Numbers),Inside Out’sbox office revenue of just over $ 2.5 billion from two movies is nothing short of staggering .
Disney ’s continuation Inside Out 2 is one of the highest grossing movies ever , but its record has been break by another sequel just daytime after its release .
While the 2015 original ’s return of more than $ 850 million was nothing to sniffle at,2024’sInside Out 2broke multiple box - office record . Taking a fiddling shy of $ 1.7 billion , Kelsey Mann ’s sequel almost doubledInside Out’sworldwide loge office gross to set down as the highest - grossing movie of 2024 and the ninth - highest - gross picture show of all time . It was also in brief the highest - garner animated movie ever made , before being surpassed by 2025’sNe Zha 2 .
7Frozen
Worldwide Box Office Gross: $2.7 Billion
Frozen is a multimedia enfranchisement develop within Disney by Chris Buck , Jennifer Lee , and Shane Morris . Originally establish on the story by Hans Christian Andersen , the core of Frozen separate the account of the two sisters of the land of Arendelle , the warm - hearted Anna and the stern but kindly Elsa , who has the power to control ice . Together with their friends , the two baby unravel the mysteries that palisade their land as they learn to manage their purple obligation .
FrozenFranchise Entries by yr
Frozen(2013 )
$ 1.27 Billion
Frozen II(2019 )
$ 1.45 Billion
A critical and commercial smash hit of the highest fiat , both ofFrozen’sinstallments to day of the month have broken the $ 1 billion mark at the box office to complement an regalia of glowing reviews , propel the charge of 2027’supcoming third entry , Frozen 3 . As such , do n’t be surprised ifFrozen’sstanding as the seventh - highest - gross animated franchise of all time ( viaThe Numbers ) is capable to alter down the line .
Six year after the departure of Frozen 2 , Olaf voice actor Josh Gad explain why audiences wo n’t be getting the announced Frozen 3 preferably than 2027 .
Frozenproved to be the highest - grossing film of 2013 , while the sequel landed in the number three billet for 2019 . The animate musical phantasy also have a bun in the oven the prestigious distinction of being the only franchise outside ofAvatarto have all of its unveiling name in the top 25 highest - gross movies of all time , withFrozenandFrozen IIclocking in at the 24th and 15th billet , severally .
6Fengshen Cinematic Universe
Fengshen Cinematic UniverseFranchise Entries by Year
Ne Zha(2019 )
$ 742.7 million
Legend of Deification(2020 )
$ 243.8 million
Ne Zha 2(2025 )
$ 1.98 billion
An extremely recent plus to the top ten highest - gross animate franchise of all metre , the Fengshen Cinematic Universe is probable the most profitable cinema series that you ’ve never heard of . The Formosan animate phantasy adventure films currently make up the sixth - highest - gross quicken enfranchisement in cinematic history ( viaThe Numbers ) , charging in ahead of storied name such asFinding Nemo , How to Train Your Dragon , orThe Incredibles .
After Ne Zha 2 ’s unequalled corner position achiever , only two Disney sequels have a prospect to surpass it — but they could fall short of its gamey gross .
2019’sNe Zhahad already land as one of the most successful pieces of Chinese cinema ever made , courtesy of a stellar box spot receipts of more than $ 742 million , a state of affairs that was n’t hurt by 2020 ’s spin - off entryLegend of Deificationtaking home just under $ 244 million a year later . However , it was the dismission of2025 ’s box part titanNe Zha 2that has really got people taking posting . Grossing a banging $ 1.98 billion to engagement , the sequel is already the fifth - highest - gross pic of all sentence .
5Ice Age
Worldwide Box Office Gross: $3.2 Billion
TheIce Agefranchise is a popular animated film series produced by Blue Sky Studios , center around a group of prehistorical creature survive the Pleistocene ice age . go by a lanate mammoth named Manny , the films feature his escapade alongside a sloth cite Sid and a saber - toothed Panthera tigris constitute Diego . Known for its humor , heartwarming themes , and memorable characters , the series has expanded to include spin - offs , curt films , and television specials . The franchise continues to captivate hearing with its coloured animation , family - friendly humour , and ongoing account of friendship and natural selection .
Ice AgeFranchise Entries by twelvemonth
Ice Age(2002 )
The Shrek franchise is a beloved animated series that began in 2001, centering around an ogre named Shrek who lives in a swamp and embarks on various adventures with a cast of quirky and memorable characters. The franchise is known for its humor, parodies of fairy tales, and heartwarming themes about friendship, love, and self-acceptance. The success of the first film led to multiple sequels, spin-offs, and television specials, making Shrek a pop culture icon.
$ 386.1 Million
Ice Age : The Meltdown(2006 )
$ 651 . 9 Million
Gru, a villain with ambitions to steal the moon, adopts three orphaned girls to aid his scheme. Unexpectedly, he finds himself growing attached to them, which complicates his plans. As Gru grapples with newfound fatherhood and his villainous aspirations, he discovers that love and family can change even the most hardened hearts.
Ice Age : Dawn of the Dinosaurs(2009 )
$ 886.7 Million
Ice eld : Continental Drift(2012 )
$ 879.8 Million
Ice eld : Collision Course(2016 )
$ 402.2 Million
After a hiatus that will have lasted a decade , one of the most profitable animated franchises in cinematic chronicle is congeal to finally make its return key whenIce Age 6is eject in 2026 . While the serial made a comeback of sorts through a standalone spin - off , 2022’sThe Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild , the approaching entry will mark the sixth official chapter in the fifth - highest - grossing movie dealership of all clip ( viaThe Numbers . )
The original Ice Age motion-picture show ’s ice cave scene demonstrate Sid looking at creatures frozen in ice , which predict events in the later Ice Age movies .
It says a lot aboutIce Age’simpressive boxwood - function retort that the franchise has keep such a high-pitched placing among its compeer , despite not having produced a picture show from the original serial for the dependable part of a decade . what is more , Ice Ageis virtually neck and neck with its closest competitor inToy Storywith an approximate general entire gross of $ 3.2 billion . As such , the box federal agency returns from each storeyed franchise ’s upcoming instalment will be central in control who comes out on top by the meter 2026 roll to a close .
4Toy Story
Toy Storyis a beloved animated enfranchisement create by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures . The serial centers on the secret life of toys , principally centre on the friendship between Woody , a cowpuncher doll , and Buzz Lightyear , a space ranger activity figure . The films explore themes of friendly relationship , loyalty , and uprise up , resonating with audiences of all ages . Toy Storyis widely credited with revolutionizing animation , as the first film was the first fully computer - animated feature . The enfranchisement is not only a critical success but also a cultural icon , influencing a generation of films and storytelling in animation .
Toy StoryFranchise Installments by yr
Toy Story(1995 )
$ 365.3 Million
Toy Story 2(1999 )
$ 511.4 Million
Toy Story 3(2010 )
$ 1.07 Billion
Toy Story 4(2019 )
Lightyear(2022 )
$ 218.9 Million
arouse laugh and bust in equal meter since 1995 ’s original installment , Toy Storyis as close to a universally beloved animated enfranchisement as one is likely to find . Earning consistently outstanding reviews across four installment of the main serial publication , Toy Storyheld condition as the third - highest - gross animated franchise of all time until as recently as last year , before the success of 2024’sMufasa : The Lion Kingbumped it down to fourth spot ( viaThe Numbers . )
Pixar is famous for its brilliant easter eggs , but some of the Toy Story franchise ’s reference to popular movies are less obvious than others .
While 2022 ’s twirl - off entryLightyeardidn’t have the same degree of vital acclaim and bombard at the box business office , Toy Storyhas proved to be such a commercial giant over the years that it did little to affect the wider dealership ’s standing . Boasting two entries that have break the $ 1 billion barrier at the box office , the franchise could still rise higher in the pecking rescript yet with theupcoming release ofToy Story 5 .
3The Lion King
Worldwide Box Office Gross: $3.3 Billion
The Lion Kingis one of Disney ’s most iconic animated franchises , beginning with the 1994 film . The level centers around Simba , a king of beasts prince who battles his treacherous uncle Scar for the can of the Pride Lands . The dealership has expanded into sequels , remakes , and telly series .
The Lion KingFranchise Entries by class
The Lion King(1995 )
$ 988.3 Million
The Lion King(2019 )
$ 1.66 Billion
Mufasa : The Lion King(2024 )
$ 714.1 Million
It speaks volume to the profitableness ofThe Lion Kingthat it ’s still the third - highest - gross animise movie franchise of all time ( viaThe Numbers ) , despite the fact that two of its five entry do n’t even factor out into condition when it comes to box berth result . Two animated sequels to 1995 ’s original , 1998’sThe Lion King II : Simba ’s Prideand 2004’sThe Lion King 1 1/2were released verbatim - to - television , meaning the enfranchisement ’s figures did n’t truly take off until the photorealistically enliven remake dropped in 2019 .
Mufasa officially confirms that The Lion King is coiffe in Kenya , Africa , which finally settle a argument that has spanned across the last three decades .
The quintessential example of abox - role billion - dollar polish off with low Rotten Tomatoes account , The Lion Kingraked in an eye - water $ 1.6 billion worldwide to bring down as the second - highest - grossing motion-picture show of the twelvemonth and the eleventh - highest - gross movie of all time , despite an raiment of mixed reviews . 2024 ’s prequel - sequelMufasa : The Lion Kingdidn’t produce such stratospheric event , but still take home more than $ 714 million to land as the sixth - highest - grossing movie of 2024 , in bitchiness of like tepid brushup to its harbinger .
2Shrek
Worldwide Box Office Gross: $4 Billion
The Shrek enfranchisement is a dear animated series that begin in 2001 , centering around an devil named Shrek who lives in a swamp and embarks on various adventures with a cast of quirky and memorable character . The franchise is know for its wittiness , parodies of fairy story , and heartwarming motif about friendly relationship , dearest , and ego - acceptance . The succeeder of the first film led to multiple sequel , whirl - offs , and television special , making Shrek a pa culture icon .
ShrekFranchise Installments by Year
Shrek(2001 )
$ 492.5 Million
Shrek 2(2004 )
$ 933.8 Million
Shrek the Third(2007 )
$ 807.3 Million
Shrek Forever After(2010 )
$ 756.2 Million
Puss in Boots(2011 )
$ 554.9 Million
Puss in Boots : The Last Wish(2022 )
$ 485.2 Million
Theannouncement of the upcomingShrek 5has signaled the yield of one of the most universally beloved and commercially successful alive franchise of all clock time . While there ’s a valid literary argument to be made that the serial publication focusing on the eponymous ogre has never come close to measure up to the stellar timber of its first two field day , Shrek’swild popularity has been emphasise by an raiment of systematically leading boxful - office results that place it as the second - highest - gross animate moving picture franchise of all sentence ( viaThe Numbers . )
Zendaya will be playing Shrek and Fiona ’s girl in Shrek 5 , but there are many hilarious and spectacular asterisk who could voice her sibling .
The franchise ’s standout spirit level of length of service and marketability have been further highlight by the achiever of thePuss in Bootsspin - off movies , with both entries lead by Antonio Banderas ' swaggering felid earning confirming reviews to complement strong boxful - berth performance . Simply put , it ’s hard to encounter an animated franchise that can even begin to giveShreka tend for its money .
1Despicable Me
Worldwide Box Office Gross: $5.6 Billion
Gru , a scoundrel with ambitions to steal the moon , adopts three orphan girls to help his scheme . Unexpectedly , he find himself growing impound to them , which complicate his plan . As Gru grapples with newfound fatherhood and his villainous aspirations , he discovers that love and family can change even the most harden hearts .
ugly MeFranchise Installments by Year
Despicable Me(2010 )
$ 544.7 Million
Despicable Me 2(2013 )
$ 975.2 Million
Minions(2015 )
$ 1.16 Billion
Despicable Me 3(2017 )
$ 1.03 Billion
minion : The Rise of Gru(2022 )
$ 937.7 Million
worthless Me 4(2024 )
$ 971 Million
The highest - grossing repair movie franchise of all time(viaThe Numbers ) by a considerable distance , Despicable Meand its whirl - off movie seriesMinionsreign supreme at the box place . While this is a state of affairs that seems arrange to continue with theupcoming 2026 release ofMinions 3 , the dealership already outstrips its close animise rival inShrekby more than $ 1 billion as of 2025 .
These 10 movies are the staring next watches for fans of vile Me base on their like characters , messages , tones , and themes .
Remarkably , the enfranchisement just fails to make wider movie theatre ’s top 10 , despite a total recurrence of more than $ 5.6 billion across six entries , landing as the 13th - highest - grossing motion-picture show enfranchisement of all time . These exemplary levels of success are even more surprising when one considers thatDespicable Me’sentries have often received a tepid critical response , with the precipitous contrast in the movie ' revaluation and corner office returns underline the franchise ’s status as one of pop culture ’s most prominent fan favorites .
Source : The Numbers
