Animation has always been a powerful cultural force — a medium that transcends borders, languages, and generations. But in the past two decades, as global box office influence shifted dramatically toward international markets and technological innovation reshaped how animated films are produced and consumed, the genre has evolved into one of the most financially dominant categories in modern cinema. Today, animated films regularly compete with superhero blockbusters, live-action franchises, and global event films for the top box office slots.

And in 2025, the landscape shifted once again.

For the first time in history, a non-Hollywood animated film — China’s Ne Zha 2 — claimed the No. 1 spot as the highest-grossing animated movie of all time, surpassing Hollywood’s long-standing dominance. Meanwhile, Pixar and Disney’s Inside Out 2 delivered a record-breaking year for Western animation in 2024, proving that the global appetite for animated storytelling remains stronger than ever.

Below, we break down the 25 highest-grossing animated films of all time, explore the market forces that propelled them to success, and examine what the rankings reveal about the future of the animation industry.

A New No. 1: How Ne Zha 2 Reshaped the Global Animation Landscape

China’s Ne Zha 2, directed by Yang Yu (Jiaozi), became a historic box office phenomenon — not only for its staggering financial haul, but for what it represents. With an estimated $2.15 billion worldwide, almost all of it from China alone, the film showcases the enormous power of the Chinese theatrical market when aligned behind a culturally resonant blockbuster.

The first Ne Zha (2019) was a breakout hit, grossing over $700 million. But its sequel’s numbers—nearly tripling its predecessor—signal a seismic shift: Chinese animation is no longer simply rising; it is competing directly with the biggest American franchises and, in this case, overtaking them.

If current projections hold, Ne Zha 2 could end its run as the fifth highest-grossing film of any genre in history, marking a watershed moment for global animation.

Inside Out 2’s Meteoric Climb and the Revival of Pixar’s Box Office Power

Pixar regained its global box office crown with Inside Out 2, which grossed $1.69 billion, the highest worldwide total for any film released in 2024. The sequel became an emotional and cultural event, resonating with audiences across all age groups and helping Pixar rebound from a challenging post-pandemic box office period.

With its success, Inside Out 2 surpassed Frozen II to become the second-highest-grossing animated film ever — now trailing only the unprecedented Chinese juggernaut Ne Zha 2.

Disney, despite fierce competition, continues to dominate the animated box office landscape: of the top 12 films on the list, nine are Disney or Pixar productions, reaffirming the company’s multi-generational appeal.

THE TOP 25 HIGHEST-GROSSING ANIMATED FILMS OF ALL TIME

Below is a complete breakdown of the world’s 25 top-grossing animated films, along with the creative forces behind them.

1. Ne Zha 2 (2025) – $2,150,000,000

Directed by: Yang Yu (Jiaozi)
Studio: Enlight
The mythic sequel shattered box office expectations, becoming the highest-grossing animated film in history and the first non-Hollywood film to top the global animation chart. Driven by extraordinary domestic enthusiasm, Ne Zha 2 redefined the possibilities for non-Western animation on the global stage.

2. Inside Out 2 (2024) – $1,698,863,816

Directed by: Kelsey Mann, Meg LeFauve
Studio: Pixar
Pixar struck emotional gold once again with this sequel exploring teen anxiety and identity. Its remarkable global performance resurrected the studio’s status as a box office powerhouse.

3. Frozen II (2019) – $1,453,683,476

Directed by: Chris Buck & Jennifer Lee
Disney’s frosty sequel expanded the lore of its wildly popular predecessor and held the animated box office crown for five years before Pixar reclaimed it.

4. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) – $1,360,847,665

Directed by: Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic, Pierre Leduc & Fabien Polack
A nostalgia-driven global event, powered by the enduring popularity of Nintendo’s mascot and Illumination’s crowd-pleasing formula.

5. Frozen (2013) – $1,306,450,154

Directed by: Chris Buck & Jennifer Lee
“Let It Go” became a cultural phenomenon, propelling Frozen into international superstardom and establishing a billion-dollar franchise.

6. Incredibles 2 (2018) – $1,243,225,667

Directed by: Brad Bird
Fourteen years after the original, audiences flocked back to Pixar’s stylish superhero family, making it the highest-grossing animated sequel in U.S. history.

7. Minions (2015) – $1,159,457,503

Directed by: Kyle Balda & Pierre Coffin
The gibberish-speaking yellow henchmen became an unstoppable global force, culminating in one of Illumination’s biggest hits.

8. Toy Story 4 (2019) – $1,073,841,394

Directed by: Josh Cooley
One of Hollywood’s most beloved franchises concluded (again) with a heartfelt farewell for Woody, earning monumental global support.

9. Toy Story 3 (2010) – $1,067,316,101

Directed by: Lee Unkrich
A perfect blend of adventure and emotional catharsis, the film remains one of Pixar’s most acclaimed works.

10. Moana 2 (2024) – $1,057,888,242

Directed by: David G. Derrick Jr., Jason Hand & Dana Ledoux Miller
The return to Motunui proved enormously successful, earning over $1 billion and cementing Moana as one of Disney’s modern flagship characters.

11. Despicable Me 3 (2017) – $1,034,800,131

Gru and his Minions brought in family audiences worldwide, keeping Illumination at the forefront of the animation boom.

12. Finding Dory (2016) – $1,029,266,989

Pixar’s lovable forgetful fish returned with an emotional journey that resonated across demographics.

13. Zootopia (2016) – $1,025,521,689

A clever, socially aware buddy-cop comedy that became one of Disney Animation’s most acclaimed modern films.

14. The Lion King (1994) – $979,161,373

Still one of the highest-grossing traditionally animated films ever made, The Lion King remains a titan of animation history.

15. Despicable Me 2 (2013) – $970,766,005

More Minion mayhem, more global success — Illumination’s business model at its best.

16. Despicable Me 4 (2024) – $969,126,452

A testament to the franchise’s enduring appeal, the fourth installment maintained the series’ billion-dollar momentum.

17. Finding Nemo (2003) – $941,637,960

A Pixar classic, Finding Nemo remains one of the defining animated films of the 21st century.

18. Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022) – $940,482,695

The Minions returned with a 1970s-inspired origin story that delivered massive crossover appeal.

19. Shrek 2 (2004) – $932,530,034

DreamWorks’ beloved sequel remains one of the funniest and most influential animated films in history.

20. Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009) – $886,686,817

Blue Sky Studios’ biggest hit demonstrated the franchise’s enormous international pull.

21. Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012) – $877,244,782

Another global success for the prehistoric comedy series, driven heavily by international markets.

22. The Secret Life of Pets (2016) – $875,698,161

Illumination’s pet-centered comedy tapped directly into a universal theme: what animals do when humans aren’t home.

23. Inside Out (2015) – $859,076,254

The Oscar-winning original became one of Pixar’s most universally beloved films.

24. Coco (2017) – $814,641,172

A deeply emotional celebration of family and culture, Coco remains one of Pixar’s most acclaimed films, particularly across Latin American audiences.

25. Shrek the Third (2007) – $808,308,862

Despite mixed reviews, the third Shrek installment rode the franchise’s massive popularity to multimillion-dollar earnings worldwide.

What These Rankings Reveal About the Future of Animated Cinema

1. Global Markets Are Now the Driving Force

Domestic (U.S.) box office numbers once defined a film’s success, but today, international audiences — particularly in China — shape the world’s top-grossing animated features. Ne Zha 2 is the clearest example yet of this power shift.

2. Disney and Pixar Still Reign, But Rivals Have Gained Serious Ground

The Mouse House may dominate numerically, but Illumination, DreamWorks, and now China’s Enlight have proven capable of delivering billion-dollar hits.

3. Sequels Continue to Dominate

More than half of the top 25 films are sequels. Established franchises offer global familiarity — a major advantage in international markets.

4. Original Stories Still Break Through

Coco, Zootopia, and Inside Out demonstrate that originality can still spark worldwide success when paired with strong thematic resonance.

5. The Future Is Increasingly International

The unprecedented success of Ne Zha 2 will likely accelerate investment in animation across Asia, particularly in China, Japan, and South Korea, reshaping competition for years to come.

Final Thoughts: A New Era of Animation Has Begun

The list of the 25 highest-grossing animated films of all time tells a much deeper story than ticket sales alone. It reflects shifting cultural power, evolving audience tastes, and an industry that has rapidly globalized. Animation — once seen as a genre primarily for children — has become a medium for world-building, cross-cultural storytelling, and blockbuster-scale entertainment.

With Ne Zha 2 breaking records, Pixar’s resurgence, Illumination’s continued rise, and Disney’s long-term dominance, we are witnessing a new golden age of animation — one defined not by one country or one studio, but by a rapidly expanding global marketplace.

And if the last few years are any indication, the next billion-dollar animated hit could come from anywhere.