When it comes to animated movies, Disney is internationally recognized as one of the most groundbreaking and consistently successful studios in the history of cinema. With dozens upon dozens of beloved animated characters, stories, and beautiful worlds of magic and wonder, it's no surprise that the company is a practical powerhouse of the genre. Between Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios, the House of Mouse has won dozens of Oscars and grossed billions of dollars at the box office around the world.

Despite the fact that Disney has certainly gone through certain rough decades during its existence, the studio seems as healthy as ever, banking not only on landmark sequels, such as Soul. But whether they're drenched in the magic of Disney or the ingenuity of Pixar, these animated masterpieces have a way of drawing in the box office bucks.

Updated on January 7th, 2023 by Jordan Iacobucci: Disney animation's latest endeavor, Strange World, is now in theaters, inviting viewers to take yet another magical ride through the imagination of its creators. It is no secret that Disney and its companies, chiefly Pixar, have had incredible success in their animated projects over the last several decades, with certain films earning large profits at the worldwide box office. With the help of the box office tracking website The Numbers, fans can now take a deep dive into the biggest hits in Walt Disney Animation and Pixar history.

Cars 2 (2011) - $560 Million

Cars 2 is the sequel to the hit 2006 film following a world comprised of sentient cars. The sequel takes a surprising turn into the spy genre, following Tow Mater as he is mistaken for a renowned superspy while accompanying his friend, Lightning McQueen, on an international race circuit. The film out-earned its predecessor, making over half a billion dollars at the worldwide box office.

Although Cars 2 was immensely successful from a financial perspective, it is also one of Pixar's worst-reviewed films of all time. Many fans of the animation studio are quick to label the sequel as a pessimistic cash-grab, failing to live up to Pixar's standard for high-quality films.

Monsters, Inc. (2001) - $560 Million

Monsters, Inc. is the fourth film from Pixar Animation, following Mike and Sully, two monsters who accidentally find themselves in the care of a human girl. The film was a critical and financial success, garnering $560 million at the worldwide box office, and becoming Pixar's highest-grossing film at the time of its release.

Even over two decades after its release, Monsters, Inc. remains one of Pixar's most beloved films for its intensity of emotion and the lovable nature of its talented voice cast. The film became a staple in the early days of 3D animation, with its popularity leading to a sequel in 2013, which produced even bigger box office numbers than the original film did.

Tangled (2010) - $583 Million

Tangled is a 2010 animated comedy that re-imagined the classic fairy tale of Rapunzel. Starring Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi, the film also features a score from iconic Disney composer Alan Menken. The film's talented lineup certainly didn't go to waste, as Tangled became an instant classic with a worldwide gross of $583 million.

Unlike many of Disney's other animated hits, Tangled remains a standalone film with no sequels, save for a Disney Channel original series set after the movie's events. And, although Tangled also remains one of Disney's few animated films not yet rebooted in live-action, it is still immensely popular among fans, many of whom still haven't gotten its many iconic songs out of their heads.

Ratatouille (2007) - $626 Million

Ratatouille is the eighth film from Pixar Animation following Remy, a rat who dreams of being a world-renowned chef. Teaming up with the son of his deceased idol, Remy accomplishes his unlikely dream, proving that anyone can cook. Despite its odd subject matter, Ratatouille struck a chord with audiences, earning well over $600 million.

Ratatouille has stood the test of time, due in part to its inherently relatable themes, which suggest that anyone can accomplish their dreams, no matter how unlikely they may seem. This sentiment has kept the film fond in fans' memories, leading to a hilarious parody in the critically acclaimed Everything Everywhere All at Once.

The Incredibles (2004) - $631 Million

The Incredibles is the sixth film from Pixar Animation, following the Parrs, a family of superheroes in a world where those with powers are encouraged not to make themselves known. Despite releasing long before the superhero film craze of recent years, The Incredibles was a massive hit, becoming one of Pixar's highest-earning movies of all time.

Almost two decades after the film's release, The Incredibles is still considered to be one of the best animated superhero movies of all time. Despite dealing with larger-than-life superpowers, the movie is really all about family, making it relatable to audiences of all ages, who lobbied for a sequel for almost fifteen years before finally receiving their wish.

Moana (2016) - $631 Million

Moana is a 2016 film following the eponymous adventurer from the island of Motonui. Thanks to some incredible work from Disney Animation Studios, and an incredible soundtrack featuring Hamilton star, Lin Manuel Miranda, Moana brought in boatloads of box office dollars, raking in around $631 million worldwide.

Though it might not be as impressive as some other features that Disney has released in recent years, it is impossible to say that Moana's adventures with her heavily tattooed demigod, Maui, weren't a success. While it tried to give Arendelle's pair of royals a little competition with some heat from the Polynesian islands, Moana still couldn't take Elsa's crown from her.

Big Hero 6 (2014) - $648 Million

Who would have guessed that a nearly-forgotten Marvel miniseries could have spawned one of the most successful Disney features in history? Big Hero 6 could practically exist in the highly beloved MCU, Stan Lee cameo included! Pair those elements with a message about handling grief, mental health, and the importance of emotional well-being, and the result is worthy of being called a comic-book-movie masterpiece.

Bringing in around $648 million will definitely grab the attention of cinema and Disney fans alike, but it's still less than what the movie truly deserves. With such poignant subject matter handled in such a creative and imaginative way, audiences were certainly more than satisfied with their care.

Up (2009) - $731 Million

and delightful soundtrack by Michael Giachino, one can understand why it was given such amazing acclaim.

Bringing in around $731 million, Up was a high-flying success when it first premiered. This film garnered new respect for directors Pete Docter and Bob Peterson, while also setting itself up as an example of what truly gifted writers and animators can do.

Monsters University (2013) - $743 Million

Monsters University was the long-awaited sequel to Pixar's hit animated classic, Monsters, Inc., and what easily could have been a solid but simple cash grab to satisfy a fan base turned into its own adventure with funny jokes and memorable characters that felt worthy of the original's legacy.

At $743 million dollars, Monsters University was a bona fide success, proving that the love for the original film had not died down with time. It even out-earned its predecessor by almost $200 million, continuing Pixar's trend of finding incredible financial success in its sequels.