Disney is known for its whimsical and magical movies that have been entertaining people since the 1950s. Disney’s movies are also commonly some of the highest grossing at the global box office. The first Disney movie to ever release was an animated version of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It was a phenomenal piece and one of the first full feature films to be animated in color. It also really changed how we consume movies today.
Since then, Disney has expanded with a massive portfolio of brands like Marvel and Star Wars. It’s also been making live action movies and 3D-animated movies. Although the days of traditional 2D animation are fairly behind us, we can’t forget the magic that Disney has brought to our screens throughout all time.
However, some Disney movies are certainly much more successful than others. There are some Disney movies that were able to capture hearts much more than others, and it shows from the numbers. So, here is a list of the top ten highest grossing Disney movies ever released:
10. Beauty and the Beast (2017)
The 2017 live-action remake of the classic tale Beauty and the Beast saw an impressive global performance. The remake starred Emma Watson as Belle and Dan Stevens as The Beast. The movie also had big names like Josh Gad, Ewan McGregor, Emma Thompson and others.
It performed very well and brought in $1.264 billion, making it the tenth highest grossing Disney movie of all time. Not only that, but its budget was anywhere from $160 million to $225 million. With its earnings, it was a bit win for Disney. Plus, the film was nominated for 2 Oscars and won many awards.
9. Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
With the popularity of Star Wars, it’s no surprise that it’s made the list at all. Ever since Disney acquired the rights to Star Wars, it has been seeing massive success. Star Wars attractions at Disney theme parks are among the most popular. Plus, much of Disney’s new catalogue of shows releasing on its Disney+ streaming service are Star Wars-related.
Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi continued the story of The Force Awakens and brings back fan-favorite Luke Skywalker to the scene. Releasing back in 2017, the movie grossed about $1.333 billion at the global box office. The budget was anywhere from $200 million to $317 million, making The Last Jedi one of Disney’s highest grossing movies ever released.
8. Black Panther
Black Panther has become one of the most popular Marvel characters ever. With the unfortunate passing of Chadwick Boseman, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever may not have included him, but he received a proper memorial in the film.
Black Panther grossed about $1.344 billion when it released back in 2018 and had a budget of around $200 million. Since then, it’s become one of the most popular Marvel movies ever. The film was also nominated and won several Academy Awards for its music, costumes and more. Black Panther also has a 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, which is a phenomenally high figure.
7. Avengers: Age of Ultron
The Avengers movies have become some of the most popular Marvel movies ever released. The Avengers brought together many of our favorite superheroes like Thor, Iron Man, Black Widow, Captain America and more all together for one series. Avengers: Age of Ultron also showed how complicated the world of being a superhero can be. It also brought forward discussion on the moral dilemma of being a super hero and set the stage for Captain America: Civil War.
Releasing back in 2015, Avengers: Age of Ultron grossed about $1.403 billion in the global box office and had a budget of $365 million. Although it’s not the highest rated movie on this list, it still managed to snag a 76% on Rotten Tomatoes.
6. Frozen II
It probably doesn’t come as a surprise that one of the biggest movies of our lifetime, Frozen II, would make it to this list. Frozen II is the sequel to the very popular Frozen, and released back in 2019. Frozen first introduced to us the iconic “Let it Go” song, as well as give the story of the Ice Queen a more Disney-spin.
Frozen II would go on to make $1.45 billion at the global box office and had a budget of $150 million. It was a massive monetary success for Disney. Plus, it really showed just how popular Frozen was with the fact that its sequel is one of the highest grossing Disney movies ever.
5. The Avengers
Like we mentioned earlier, Marvel’s Avengers are really, really popular. With characters like Captain America, Black Widow, and more, it’s no surprise that The Avengers film made it to this list.
The Avengers first released back in 2012 and grossed about $1.519 billion at the global box office on a budget of $220 million. We not only got the Avengers team, we also got Loki and Nick Fury in one movie. It was a massive success for Marvel and it’s spurred on the popularity of every movie with the Avengers since.
4. The Lion King (2019)
If you thought the original Lion King was already popular enough, think again. The 2019 CGI remake of The Lion King was crazy popular, and we can probably thank its iconic cast for playing a role in that too. With James Earl Jones (the voice behind Darth Vader) as Mufasa, Donald Glover as Simba and Beyonce as Nala, it’s an impressive cast.
The Lion King went on to make $1.633 billion at the global box office and its budget was around $260 million. However, it wasn’t Disney’s most popular film at all. The Lion King got a measly 52% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 55% at Metacritic. It just doesn’t look like crowds were as mesmerized by The Lion King this time around despite it being one of the highest grossing Disney movies ever.
3. Avengers: Infinity War
Once again, no surprise seeing the Avengers films on the list at all. Avengers: Infinity War was one of the most popular Avengers and Marvel movies ever released. Starring a massive cast of pretty much everyone’s favorites as the super powerful villain Thanos, we got an unforgettable film.
Avengers: Infinity war released in 2018 and made about $2.048 billion at the global box office. It had a budget of $316 million.
2. Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens
We’re back with another Star Wars film to the list. When Disney announced it would be making more Star Wars movies, most people were overjoyed at the thought of being able to experience the magic of Star Wars again. It showed, because Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens is the second-highest grossing Disney movie ever released.
It made about $2.066 billion with a budget of $306 million. It was so popular and well-liked that it got a 93% on Rotten Tomatoes.
1. Avengers: Endgame
This one may or may not come as a shock, but Avengers: Endgame is the highest grossing Disney movie to ever be released. Following the story of Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame would go on to shock Marvel fans across the world. With a powerful story and an emotional ending, Avengers: Endgame was truly one of Marvel and Disney’s best projects.
Avengers: Endgame released in 2019 and went on to make $2.798 billion at the global box office. It had a budget of $356 million and received multiple awards. Avengers: Endgame also scored a 94% on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s not only one of the highest grossing Disney movies ever — it’s also one of the highest grossing movies ever released.
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