Animated movies have come a long way since their early days. They’re not just for kids anymore! These days, people of all ages enjoy watching animated films. Let’s take a look at the 10 most-watched animated movies of all time, based on how much money they made at the box office. This list is up-to-date as of 2025, so you’ll see some recent hits alongside classic favorites.
1. Inside Out 2 (2024)
At the top of our list is “Inside Out 2,” which came out in 2024. This movie is a sequel to the popular 2015 film “Inside Out.” In the first movie, we saw the emotions inside a young girl’s head. The sequel takes us back into Riley’s mind as she becomes a teenager.
The story is about Riley turning 13 and how her emotions deal with big changes. New emotions like Anxiety join the team, which causes some funny and touching moments. People loved seeing Joy, Sadness, and other emotions again, and how they handled the challenges of their teenage years.
“Inside Out 2” was a huge hit because it spoke to both kids and adults. It showed how complex our feelings can be as we grow up. The movie made almost $1.7 billion worldwide, making it the most-watched animated movie ever!
2. The Lion King (2019)
Next on our list is “The Lion King” from 2019. This isn’t the cartoon version you might remember from 1994. Instead, it’s a remake using very realistic computer animation. The animals look so real that you might think you’re watching a nature documentary!
The story follows Simba, a young lion who is supposed to be the next king. But his evil uncle Scar has other plans. Simba has to go on a big adventure and learn important lessons before he can take his place as king.
Even though it’s not technically “animated” in the traditional sense, this movie is counted as animation because everything you see was created by computers. It was a massive hit, earning over $1.6 billion at the box office. People loved seeing their favorite characters come to life in such a realistic way.
3. Ne Zha 2 (2025)
Coming in at number three is “Ne Zha 2,” a Chinese animated movie that took the world by storm in 2025. This film is based on Chinese mythology and follows the adventures of Ne Zha, a mischievous boy with incredible powers.
In this sequel, Ne Zha and his friend Ao Bing face new challenges as they try to protect their world from danger. The movie combines action, comedy, and touching moments about friendship and growing up.
What’s really impressive about “Ne Zha 2” is how popular it became outside of China. It shows that great stories can connect with people all around the world, no matter where they come from. The movie has made over $1.6 billion so far and is still playing in some theaters!
4. Frozen 2 (2019)
“Frozen 2” is the sequel to the super popular “Frozen” from 2013. In this movie, we join Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, Olaf, and Sven on a new adventure. They leave their kingdom of Arendelle to travel to an enchanted forest, searching for the source of Elsa’s magical powers.
Like the first movie, “Frozen 2” has catchy songs that kids (and adults!) love to sing along with. It also deals with themes like growing up, facing your fears, and the importance of family. The movie’s beautiful animation brings the magical world to life in stunning detail.
“Frozen 2” was a massive hit when it came out, earning over $1.4 billion worldwide. It’s no wonder that kids everywhere still love to dress up as Elsa and Anna for Halloween!
5. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
In 2023, one of the world’s most famous video game characters jumped onto the big screen in “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.” This colorful adventure follows Mario and Luigi as they try to save the Mushroom Kingdom from the evil Bowser.
The movie is full of references to the Mario games that fans love. From power-ups to familiar characters like Princess Peach and Toad, there’s something for everyone who’s ever played a Mario game. But even if you’ve never picked up a controller, the fun story and bright animation make it enjoyable for all.
“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” was a big success, making over $1.3 billion at the box office. It showed that video game movies can be great when done right!
6. Frozen (2013)
The original “Frozen” movie comes in at number six on our list. This Disney film tells the story of two princess sisters, Elsa and Anna. Elsa has magical ice powers that she can’t control, which leads her to run away and accidentally freeze her entire kingdom.
“Frozen” became a cultural phenomenon when it was released. The song “Let It Go” was everywhere, and kids couldn’t get enough of the characters. The movie’s themes of sisterly love and accepting yourself resonated with audiences of all ages.
Even though it came out in 2013, “Frozen” is still incredibly popular. It has made $1.29 billion in total, showing that its appeal has lasted for over a decade!
7. Incredibles 2 (2018)
“Incredibles 2” picks up right where the first movie left off, following the superhero Parr family as they try to balance saving the world with everyday life. This time, mom Helen (Elastigirl) is out fighting crime, while dad Bob (Mr. Incredible) stays home with the kids.
The movie is full of exciting action scenes and funny moments as the family deals with new villains and their own super-powered baby, Jack-Jack. It also touches on themes like gender roles and the challenges of being a working parent.
Fans had to wait 14 years for this sequel, but it was worth it! “Incredibles 2” made over $1.2 billion worldwide, proving that people still loved these super-powered characters.
8. Minions (2015)
The little yellow Minions from the “Despicable Me” movies got their own film in 2015, and it was a huge hit! This movie tells the story of how the Minions came to be and their search for the perfect evil boss to serve.
The Minions’ silly antics and made-up language make for lots of laughs. The movie takes us on a journey through history as the Minions look for a master, eventually leading them to team up with a supervillain named Scarlet Overkill.
“Minions” was incredibly popular with kids and made over $1.1 billion at the box office. Its success led to more Minion movies and tons of merchandise featuring these lovable yellow creatures.
9. Toy Story 4 (2019)
The “Toy Story” series has been beloved since the first movie came out in 1995. “Toy Story 4” continues the adventures of Woody, Buzz, and the gang as they adjust to life with their new kid, Bonnie.
In this movie, Woody reunites with his old flame Bo Peep, and meets new toys like Forky, a craft project that comes to life. The story is about finding your purpose and learning when it’s time to move on to new adventures.
Like all Pixar movies, “Toy Story 4” has stunning animation and a story that appeals to both kids and adults. It made over $1 billion worldwide and was a fitting continuation of this classic series.
10. Toy Story 3 (2010)
Rounding out our top 10 is “Toy Story 3,” which came out in 2010. This emotional movie sees Andy, the toys’ owner, growing up and getting ready to leave for college. Woody, Buzz, and the others end up at a daycare center where they face new challenges and have to work together to get back home.
“Toy Story 3” deals with themes of growing up, friendship, and letting go. It has some of the most touching moments in any animated film, as well as plenty of humor and adventure.
The movie was a massive success, earning over $1 billion and winning an Oscar for Best Animated Feature. It showed that even after 15 years, people still loved the “Toy Story” characters and their heartwarming stories.
Bottom Line
Looking at this list, we can see some interesting trends in animated movies. Sequels are very popular, with many of these films being follow-ups to earlier hits. Computer animation has also become the dominant form, allowing for incredibly detailed and realistic visuals.
It’s also worth noting the international appeal of these movies. While many are from big American studios like Disney and Pixar, we also see a Chinese film (“Ne Zha 2”) in the top three. This shows that great animated movies can come from anywhere and be enjoyed by people all over the world.
These top 10 animated movies have earned their place not just because of how much money they made, but because of the joy they’ve brought to millions of viewers. They tell stories that make us laugh, cry, and think about important things in life. Whether you’re a kid or a grown-up, there’s something special about losing yourself in a beautifully animated world for a couple of hours.