'Dark Waters' Off to Swimming Start at Indie Box Office

30. “Kung Fu Panda” (2008) 

Worldwide Gross: $631,744,560

The success of Jack Black’s 2008 martial arts-meet-spongy mammal movie set into motion its inevitable — and even more profitable — sequel. 

Dreamworks Animation Studios

29. “The Incredibles” (2004) 

Worldwide Gross: $633,019,734

In 2004, Brad Bird’s first Pixar outing wowed audiences with complicated animated action scenes, cross-generational comedy and superhero mayhem.

Pixar Animation Studios

28. “Sing” (2016) 

Worldwide Gross: $634,151,679

Illumination’s animal-karaoke musical crooned its way onto the list.
 

27. “Moana” (2016) 

Worldwide Gross: $643,331,111

Disney’s Hawaii-set movie scored two Oscar nominations, for Best Animated Feature and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s song “How Far I’ll Go.”
 

Disney

26. “Big Hero 6” (2014) 

Worldwide Gross: $657,818,612

Disney’s 2014 robot tale combined anime aesthetics, superhero action and Pixar’s heart. 

Disney Animation Studios

25. “Ice Age: The Meltdown” (2006) 

Worldwide Gross: $660,940,780

Fox’s 2006 prehistoric romp proved the success of the first was no fluke. 

Twentieth Century Fox

24. “Kung Fu Panda 2” (2011) 

Worldwide Gross: $665,692,281

With the franchise’s skills proven, DreamWorks Animation gave the world another hit of comedy with this animated martial arts sequel in 2011. 

Dreamworks Animation Studios

23. “Up” (2009) 

Worldwide Gross: $735,099,082

The 2009 fan favorite demonstrated that original ideas with big emotions could make big money. 

Pixar Animation Studios

22. “Monsters University” (2013) 

Worldwide Gross: $744,229,437

Ten years after the release of “Monsters Inc,” Pixar sent fans back to school in a 2013 prequel.

Pixar Animation Studios

21. “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted” (2012) 

Worldwide Gross: $746,921,274

DreamWorks Animation’s “Madagascar” series kept the studio afloat with a string of breezy successes, including 2012’s third installment.

Dreamworks Animation Studios

20. “Shrek Forever After” (2010) 

Worldwide Gross: $752,600,867

The big green ogre’s final chapter dropped in 2010.    

Dreamworks Animation Studio

19. “Shrek the Third” (2007) 

Worldwide Gross: $798,958,162

Made  in 2007, this sequel proved there was still some gas left in this fantasy mash-up comedy franchise. 

Dreamworks Animation Studio

18. “Coco” (2017) 

Worldwide Gross: $807,082,196 

Directed by Lee Unkrich, this animated film captured everyone’s hearts and even won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2018.

Disney/Pixar

17. “Inside Out” (2015) 

Worldwide Gross: $857,611,174

Disney Pixar hit the home run again with this animated feature film about the emotions inside your head, starring Amy Poehler, Mindy Kaling and Bill Hader. 

Disney/Pixar

16. “The Secret Life of Pets” (2016) 

Worldwide Gross:$875,457,937

Universal/Illumination’s story of dogs seeking out adventure while their owners are away charmed its way onto the list.

15.  “Ice Age: Continental Drift” (2012) 

Worldwide Gross: $877,244,782

Profits abound for this 2012 fourth installment in the chilly prehistoric franchise, followed just behind it’s predecessor.

Twentieth Century Fox Animation

14.”Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs” (2009) 

Worldwide Gross: $888,805,671
 

While other films have made bigger waves in the States, international sales have always returned big money for Fox’s “Ice Age” franchise, proven again by the 2009 entry. 

Twentieth Century Fox Animation

13. “Shrek 2” (2004) 

Worldwide Gross: $919,838,758

DreamWorks Animation proved to be worthy Pixar competition with its successful “Shrek” franchise.

Dreamworks Animation Studio

12. “Finding Nemo” (2003) 

Worldwide Gross: $940,335,536

“Finding Nemo” was something of a second-wind for Pixar, solidifying the company’s place as the titans of modern animation. 

Pixar Studios

11. “The Lion King” (1994) 

Worldwide Gross: $968,483,777

Can you feel the love tonight for this Disney animated classic?

Disney Animation Studios

10. “Despicable Me 2” (2013) 

Worldwide Gross:  $970,761,885

Illumination’s sequel managed to make more money than its predecessor and put the upcoming “Minions” spin-off into motion.

Illumination Studios

9. “Zootopia” (2016) 

Worldwide Gross: $1,023,784,195

Disney charmed audiences in 2016 with its cop thriller pairing a rookie rabbit cop and a wily fox informant.

Disney

8. “Finding Dory” (2016) 

Worldwide Gross: $1,028,570,889

The sequel to “Finding Nemo” swam right back into audience’s hearts.

Pixar

7. “Despicable Me 3” (2017) 

Worldwide Gross: $1,034,799,409

Illumination’s follow-up — featuring Gru’s blond-haired brother — became the franchise’s biggest grosser.

6. “Toy Story 4” (2019)

Worldwide Gross: $1,061,928,660

Disney

5. “Toy Story 3” (2010) 

Worldwide Gross: $1,066,969,703

Built on Pixar’s critical and commercial goodwill, the third installment in the mega-franchise brought in big profits.

Pixar Studios

4. “Minions” (2015) 

Worldwide Gross: $1,159,398,397

The little yellow helpers crossed the $1 billion mark at the end of August, raking in more money then “Despicable Me” and “Despicable Me 2” for Universal Pictures. 

Universal Pictures/Illumination Entertainment

3. “Incredibles 2” (2018) 

Worldwide Gross: $1,242,805,359

The superpowered family sprung back into action a full 14 years after the original — but far surpassed the original film’s box office haul.
 

Disney/Pixar

2. “Frozen” (2013) 

Worldwide Gross: $1,276,480,335

Disney’s 2013 smash-hit takes the box office top spot. And then there was merchandising, video on demand and home video that audiences just couldn’t let go…

Disney Animation Studios

1. The Lion King (2019)

Worldwide Gross: $1,631,724,000

Whether the film is animated or live-action has been up for debate, the new “Lion King” was computer animated, so we’re putting it on the list. 

Disney