Highest Grossing Animated Films [Extended]

Building on yesterday's post, I extended the highest grossing animated films list to include the top 18 films.

When storytelling goes beyond the bounds of our physical reality, what rises to the top? What modern myths win the mass popularity contest? I think this list reveals some fascinating trends in not only how we tell stories that resonate, but also how we receive them.

• 🎬 Franchise Firepower: 13 out of 18 are sequels or part of franchises. Audiences pay for familiarity—Toy Story, Frozen, Despicable Me, etc.
• 🏰 Disney Reigns Supreme: 13 of the top 18 are from Disney/Pixar. That’s over 70% market dominance.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family = Global Goldmine: All are PG-rated and designed for mass appeal. Over 60% of revenue typically comes from international markets.
• 👑 Strong Female Leads & Emotional Arcs: Frozen, Moana, Inside Out 2—emotion and identity journeys connect across cultures and age groups.
• 📅 Strategic Release Timing: Most launched in summer or holiday windows—peak family moviegoing time.
• 🎭 Nostalgia & Remakes Sell: Lion King (1994 & 2019), Toy Story 3 & 4—built-in audiences bring guaranteed cash flow.
• 🧸 Merch Madness: These films aren't just blockbusters—they're merch empires. Frozen and Minions alone made billions in product sales.
• 🤖 Visual Innovation Hooks: Pixar, Disney, and even Ne Zha 2 used cutting-edge animation to dazzle—tech is part of the emotional bait.
• 😭 Emotion Is Currency: Films like Inside Out, Finding Nemo, and Toy Story 3 turn audiences into loyal evangelists through tears and laughter.