Sony Pictures Animation, which is Sony Pictures' animation studio, has created a lot of films over its 17-year existence. While many of these are entertaining, colorful, and fun, they are also skilled at bringing in the big bucks. We're here to look at which of the studio's films have outscored the rest at the movie theater. To do this, we'll be turning to the stats on Box Office Mojo. We'll be looking at the worldwide box office grosses for each film created by Sony. It's additionally worth noting that while Sony has created some animated films via other divisions, we'll only be focusing on those created by its primary animation studio.
With that said, it's time to scroll through the movies and watch the cash roll in. Here are Sony Pictures Animation's highest-grossing feature films to date, according to Box Office Mojo.
The Emoji Movie ($217 Million)
Though The Emoji Movie was a critical failure, it was a box office success by turning a $50 million budget into a $217 million gross.
This computer-animated comedy tells of the emojis that live inside a city in a smartphone. One of these characters, Gene, feels like an outsider for having more than one expression. Though he goes on a journey with friends to figure out how can he become normal, he soon learns that a technical issue could lead to the emojis ultimate doom.
Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs ($243 Million)
This 2009 sci-fi comedy, adapted from the 1978 children's book of the same name, tells of an inventor named Flint who continues to fail in his career. When he successfully manages to create a machine that turns water into food, he thinks he's tasted a bit of success. However, once his latest invention derails and causes food storms, it's up to Flint to save the town of Chewandswallow from the monster he's created.
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs earned a sequel, a TV show, and $243 million at the box office.
Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2 ($274 Million)
The Cloudy sequel did even better than the original, bringing in $274 million at the box office.
Having saved the town of Chewandswallow, Flint is asked to join the technology company of his hero. However, after Flint learns that the machine he once created is still going wild and now creating animal-vegetable hybrids, it's up to him and a few friends to save the town all over again.
The Smurfs 2 ($347 Million)
The Smurfs' quirky sequel tells of a wizard named Gargamel who creates his own Smurf-like creatures known as the Naughties in order to complete a sinister plan. After learning that he needs a real smurf to go through with a spell, he captures Smurfette. It's up to the creatures and their human friends to get her back.
The 2013 live-action/computer-animated comedy has critical reviews that came in low; Its cheap, slapstick humor didn't sit well with everyone. Despite this, it still managed to bring in $347 million at the worldwide box office.
Peter Rabbit ($351 Million)
This 2018 comedy film, which combined live-action and animated elements, brought Beatrix Potter's tales of Peter Rabbit to the big screen.
It tells of siblings Peter, Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail who live out their days by having fun in Mr. McGregor's garden. After the man dies and his animal-hating great-nephew moves in, however, it's up to the mischievous Peter to stand his ground. The movie ultimately grossed $351 million at the global box office.
Hotel Transylvania ($358 Million)
The opening Hotel Transylvania movie not only brought in $358 million at the box office; It kicked off an entire franchise.
The 2012 comedy tells of a resort for monsters operated by Count Dracula. Though he hopes to just have fun on the 118th birthday of his daughter, Mavis, he is soon forced to deal with her crush on a human traveler who passes through. It's up to Drac to keep Mavis' romantic interest away and his hotel people-free.
Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse ($375 Million)
The Spider-Man franchise was animated for the first time ever on the big screen with the release of this 2018 superhero comedy. It tells of a teen named Miles who is forced to deal with his new powers after being bitten by a spider. However, after a group of Spider-Men from other dimensions are transported to his version of Brooklyn, he's forced to get them back and defeat the evil Kingpin.
The film received universal praise, even managing to nab the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature during the 2019 ceremony. It also took home $375 million at the box office.
Hotel Transylvania 2 ($474 Million)
Seven years after the events of the original film, Drac has made his monsters-only hotel into a place where creepy creatures and humans can vacation in harmony. Meanwhile, Mavis and Johnny are caring for their half-human child, who Drac becomes worried about for not showing any vampire traits. He decides to take it upon himself to show the boy how to be a monster.
The first Hotel Transylvania sequel scored $475 million at the box office. Its direct sequel did even better.
Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation ($528 Million)
The final installment in the Hotel Transylvania series managed to top the rest by grossing $528 million at the worldwide box office.
This time around, the family decides to get away from the hotel by taking a cruise ship vacation together. Though Mavis believes this will be a good opportunity for her dad, Dracula, to relax, he soon falls develops a crush on the ship's captain. Unfortunately, her dark secret could lead to his demise.
The Smurfs ($563 Million)
Topping off the list as the highest-grossing Sony Pictures Animation film of all time is the original Smurfs installment. Unfortunately, likes its sequel, the critical reviews weren't too hot.
The story told of wizard Gargamel trying to disrupt the Smurf's existence by sending them out of their world into the bustling streets of New York City. With a little help from a Manhattan ad exec, the Smurfs must find a way home before Gargamel can send them to an even worse fate. The Smurfs sequel walked away with a whopping $563 million.