Being a part of the $1 billion club is an exclusive distinction for motion pictures. Reaching this box office milestone is a goal for every major production company, and animation studios are no exception. An imaginative and highly creative conduit, animation continues to transform itself and adapt to emerging technologies. It remains a highly lucrative art form and a fan-favorite medium for movies around the world.
Out of the growing catalog of animated films that have become billionaires, some stood out from the rest. They subverted long-held franchise norms, set records for their financial success, and became the voice of a generation. These are the best animated movies to have made $1 billion.
‘Toy Story 3’ (2010)
It is only fitting to start this list with Toy Story 3 because it holds the Guinness World Record for being the first animated film to gross $1 billion. Its predecessor, Toy Story, also made history for being the first computer-animated feature-length motion picture in 1995. This treasured saga of movies continues to draw audiences to the theaters, and the newly released Toy Story 5 also earned over $1 billion.
Considered by many to be the most dramatic and emotional installment, Toy Story 3 wrapped up the Andy (John Morris) years with a poignant and fitting passing of the torch, if you will. The ending felt earned and highly rewarding for fans who had been along since the very beginning. Every person in the audience could relate, as kids seem to grow up way too fast and time flies by for everyone. Although the animation itself has improved drastically from the original movie, Toy Story walked so Toy Story 3 could fly. Having acquired generations of loyal fans, Toy Story 3 gave its audience a solid conclusion with room to start a new chapter.
‘Finding Dory’ (2016)
Disney is prolific at sequels, and the smash hit Finding Nemo finally got its turn over a decade later. Finding Dory came to theaters and blew its box office competition out of the water. The second movie focuses on the lovable and forgetful blue tang, Dory (Ellen DeGeneres), as she tries to reunite with her parents. Bringing back fan-favorite characters from the first film and introducing some new ones, Finding Dory has everything Pixar projects are known for, including gorgeous graphics and touching moments.
Finding Dory includes relevant topics like mental health and fear, but all the while remaining uplifting and encouraging. Albert Brooks reprised his role as Marlin, and several noteworthy cast members joined the ensemble, such as Ed O’Neill as Hank, Kaitlin Olson as Destiny, and Ty Burrell as Bailey. Dory’s parents were voiced by cinema icons Diane Keaton and Eugene Levy, and all of the cast are phenomenal in their roles. Finding Dory is an interesting, emotional journey that proved fans were still in love with the aquatic IP.
‘Frozen’ (2013)
The box office haul for Frozen was not guaranteed. It was an original story with a new form of animation that had only been seen in one movie previously, and its subversive tone and sarcastic humor could have gone either way with audiences. Luckily, Frozen was an instant success, and viewers fell hard for this absolute masterpiece.
Poking fun at Disney, fairy tale tropes, and romance plots in general, Frozen was sassy, smart, and surprising. It broke all the molds and dared to be different. Frozen not only achieved great financial success in its own right, but the main song “Let It Go” became the first Disney movie song in 18 years to reach the top 10 on Billboard’s Hot 100. Frozen and “Let It Go” became the voice of an era, and it continues to influence movies being made today.
‘Frozen II’ (2019)
Ever venturing to tamper with perfection, Disney released Frozen II in 2019 to trepidatious audiences. Viewers wondered how another movie could compare to the first, but Frozen II delivered on all fronts. The sequel doubled down on the action and brought back beloved hallmarks from the first movie, including biting humor and fantastic musical numbers.
Frozen II continued its parent movie’s legacy of pushing the boundaries for topical discussions, and it tackled subjects no other Disney film was willing to wear on its sleeve, like disillusionment and anxiety. It also continued to make history for Anna (Kristen Bell) and Kristoff (Jonathan Groff), having one of the longest slow-burn Disney romances ever. If it were any other Disney franchise, they would have been married in the first movie. Their storyline saw some development as Frozen II included Kristoff finally getting to propose at the very end. Followers of their love affair will have to wait a bit longer to see them finally tie the knot, and Frozen 3 promises to have some developments for the snow-clad couple.
‘Ne Zha 2’ (2025)
Ne Zha 2 is one of the most visually stunning animated films of the past 10 years. The textures and details are absolutely gorgeous, and the graphics are gripping, with massive scope and scale. A sequel to the much-beloved first film, Ne Zha 2 didn’t just earn $1 billion at the box office; it earned $2 billion. This is a rare achievement that Ne Zha 2 only shares with six other movies in all of cinema history.
Ne Zha 2 tells a story of courage and danger while incorporating moments of humor and empathy. It covers a lot of ground, including immortality, family bonds, and a sense of identity. Over 4,000 animators from 138 companies contributed to the movie, and it has become an instant modern classic.
‘Incredibles 2’ (2018)
A super-powered sequel that kept fans more than satisfied was the witty and action-packed Incredibles 2. In a film that feels like The Fantastic Four: First Steps meets Mr. Mom, the Parr family undergoes a swap as Bob (Craig T. Nelson) manages the kids and household while Helen (Holly Hunter) travels for a new job. On top of all of the normal and expected shakeups, baby Jack-Jack (Eli Fucile) suddenly develops a barrage of superhuman abilities that are powerful and unpredictable.
The Incredibles movies are some of the best within the superhero genre. While they are full of meta humor and self-aware jabs that comic book fans can appreciate, they are more than merely fan service and bring interesting dynamics and new perspectives to consider. A majority of superheroes live in solitary conditions and have to hide their alter egos from others. In The Incredibles and Incredibles 2, audiences get to see an entire family that has extraordinary powers work together to save the world. So far, the Incredibles canon is two for two when it comes to excellence, and fans anticipate nothing less from Incredibles 3, which is set to debut on June 16, 2028.
‘Zootopia’ (2016)
Zootopia takes the concept of an urban jungle to a whole new level. In a city full of anthropomorphic animals that can walk, talk, and hold jobs, there is no end to the excitement that can happen in the daily hustle and bustle. Zootopia does an excellent job of including enough content for both kids and adults to enjoy. There are homages to titles like The Godfather, Breaking Bad, and several Disney movies.
Zootopia is a modern and street-wise update on a longstanding Disney tradition: using animated movies to explore complex topics. With a 3D makeover, Zootopia stands on the shoulders of movies that came before and isn’t afraid to include topics like prejudice, discrimination, and regimented societal structures. It has a killer theme song with the super catchy “Try Everything” by megastar Shakira, and it took home the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film of the Year in 2017.
‘Inside Out 2’ (2024)
Pixar finally achieved its ultimate navigation of feelings when it brought emotions to the forefront in Inside Out. A touching exploration of the quirks and qualms that govern actions on any given day, the sequel Inside Out 2 follows the main character Riley (Kensington Tallman) as she goes through puberty. Adolescence adds a whole new cast of emotions to Riley’s already occupied brain, and navigating her attitude has never been more complex.
Joining the original gang for the second film, Anxiety (Maya Hawke), Envy (Ayo Edebiri), Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser), and Ennui (Adèle Exarchopoulos) bring a new range of sentiments for Riley to experience. Joy (Amy Poehler) has her hands full trying to keep Riley happy and keep the peace at Headquarters. In Inside Out 2, Riley faces coming-of-age dilemmas like fitting in, choosing friend groups, and finding her sense of self. While the new emotions are entertaining, the major plot of the movie feels like a beat-for-beat repeat of the first film. Regardless, it earned major box office success, and it is one of the highest-grossing animated films in US history.
