Updated on December 10, 2021
Here’s a look at this year’s top 10 animated films in terms of domestic box office. All figures are as of this writing and taken from Box Office Mojo:
- The LEGO Movie: $257,760,692
- Big Hero 6: $196,740,000
- How to Train Your Dragon 2: $177,002,924
- Rio 2: $131,538,435
- Mr. Peabody and Sherman: $111,506,430
- Penguins of Madagascar: $68,754,000
- The Nut Job: $64,251,541
- Planes: Fire & Rescue: $59,165,787
- The Boxtrolls: $50,345,363
- The Book of Life: $48,976,842
The top animated film, “The LEGO Movie,” came out early this year, but made a big impact. “Big Hero 6” is still in theaters and drawing an audience, having outpaced “Wreck-It Ralph” by this point. Despite some beancounters’ hand-wringing that it didn’t make nearly as obscene an amount as expected, “Dragons 2” was still a success. Although it was more popular overseas, “Rio 2” still made plenty domestically. Finally, while “Mr. Peabody and Sherman” is deemed a flop, it still was the fifth highest-grossing animated film domestically this year. I enjoyed “Peabody,” but apparently people preferred the likes of a “300” sequel, and going up directly against “Muppets Most Wanted” didn’t help either of those films.
When overseas figures are factored in for worldwide grosses, the top 10 list looks fairly different:
- How to Train Your Dragon 2: $618,900,000
- Rio 2: $498,800,000
- The LEGO Movie: $468,100,000
- Big Hero 6: $278,300,000
- Mr. Peabody and Sherman: $272,900,000
- Penguins of Madagascar: $203,400,000
- Planes: Fire & Rescue: $147,000,000
- The Wind Rises: $117,900,000
- The Nut Job: $113,300,000
- The Boxtrolls: $107,800,000
By far, the top film globally (and thus 2014’s champ) is “How to Train Your Dragon 2,” pulling in north of $600 million, well ahead of the second-place film, “Rio 2.” “The LEGO Movie,” “Big Hero 6,” and “Mr. Peabody and Sherman” rounded out the top five. Also added to the global list is the final film by Hayao Miyazaki, “The Wind Rises,” which made the bulk of its money in its native Japan. (It made more money in France than in North America, for some reason.) Also interesting that “Peabody” still made the global top five, though I assume “Penguins” will eclipse it in early 2015.
