Animation has come a long way from simple illustrations being captured to resemble movements to innovative technologies that allow those simple illustrations be realistic figures. Even though computer-generated animation has dominated the landscape, it does not overshadow the fact that hand-drawn animation was a solid foundation to inspire creators and other animators to pave their way.
Looking back, 2D animation had been box-office draws from past till present. Here is a proof of with the 10 highest-grossing hand-drawn animated films of all time. The films (including anime) here are ranked by their final worldwide gross (with older films having estimates).
Pocahontas (1995) - $346,079,773
During this period, Walt Disney Animation Studios was going through their Renaissance, with solid releases in Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and The Lion King. In 1995, they brought their own take of a Native American folklore in Pocahontas. While Disney retained the spirit of the titular Powhatan heroine, they took creative liberties to craft a musical epic with the usual Disney tropes.
As expected from a film that created an overwhelmingly fictionalized tale of a dark remnant of the past, it polarized audiences for sugarcoating Pocahontas’ account and her encounter with John Smith. Yet, the music is well composed.
Spirited Away (2001) - $347,742,810
The crowning achievement of Japanese cinema, Spirited Away is the first film that most people associate with Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli. And its impact cannot be understated. For those unfamiliar, this film centers on a girl named Chihiro who suddenly finds herself in a spiritual realm, taking place mostly in a bathhouse, and journeys her way to freedom.
This masterpiece contains Miyazaki’s quintessential elements, such as the vast folklore, the supernatural creatures and the protagonist going through a mystical passage. The world occurring inside the bathhouse is peculiar yet grounded. And Chihiro’s journey is mesmerizing. It is worth experiencing.
Your Name (2016) - $358,922,706
However, the title for the highest-grossing anime film goes to Makoto Shinkai’s masterwork, Your Name. Released in 2016, Your Name revolves a small-town girl named Mitsuha and a boy named Taki who suddenly switched bodies and struggled to adapt with the random swaps. But little do they know that they came from different worlds.
For a film that has to depict poignancy, romance and tragedy in practice, Shinkai deals with them beautifully and emotionally. And the animation is a breathtaking feat, from the amazing comet scenes to the stunning establishing shots. The emotional resonance builds to a rousing climactic ending.
The Jungle Book (1967) - $378,000,000
Based on the book by Rudyard Kipling, The Jungle Book got the Disney treatment and turned into a family-friendly animated film. While that watered down the book a classic, this film forged its own identity with lovable characters, simplistic animation (though frustratingly repetitive) and hummable songs like “Bare Necessities” and “I Wanna Be Like You”.
This film took the creative characters Kipling’s collection of stories and placed them on a story about man-cub Mowgli who is guided by panther Bagheera and bear Baloo to be lead to a human village away from the tiger Shere Khan and the snake Kaa.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) - $418,200,000
Being the first feature-length animated film that Walt Disney produced, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is a landmark in the filmmaking landscape and has solidified animation as an important art form. Based on the Brothers Grimm fairytale, this animated film has been very familiar to many children, till this very generation, as it is very influential to many animators.
The film can be enjoyed in distinctive variants: first for the unforgettable songs “Whistle While You Work” and “Heigh-Ho”, second for the seven dwarves who stole the show, third for the Evil Queen’s appearance, and fourth for the seamless animation.
Beauty and the Beast (1991) - $424,967,620
Beauty and the Beast is one of the proudest achievements for Disney during their Renaissance. And its legacy resonated to all generations. Being another fairytale brought to life, this classic tells about the story of a little town girl named Belle, whose precociousness make her unique among the townsfolk. When her father was captured by a beast, she took his place, only to find something deeper about her captor.
Setting the ethics of the story aside, this film is the perfect balance of an animation masterpiece: a well-grounded lead, a cavalcade of beloved characters, splendidly innovative animation and unforgettable songs.
Tarzan (1999) - $448,191,819
Tarzan is an established literary icon before this film. Yet, it does not deter from this film to have its own voice (or yell) to spare. Its true strength is on its fast-paced animation to pull off Tarzan’s vine-swinging exploits and the engaging action set pieces. And the results are beautifully composed scenes.
While this animated film is not a musical, some scenes are interspersed with songs by Phil Collins. The soundtrack itself is a mixed bag, due to its insertion to allow emotions to play. However, “You’ll Be In My Heart” deserves the airplay, despite its undeserving Oscar win.
Aladdin (1992) - $504,050,219
Aladdin is an indisputable Disney gem, based on one of the stories of One Thousand and One Nights, about a boy who encounters a wish-granting supernatural being. While there have been various stories from the past about powerful forces fulfilling wishes by mortals, Aladdin has been influential on embedding it to popularity.
Largely, it is due to the appearance of the jinn Genie, voiced unforgettably by Robin Williams. The character, fully fleshed out to accommodate Williams’ comedic timing, has been of the truest reasons to watch the film. Apart from that are other lovable characters, stunning animation and great songs.
The Simpsons Movie (2007) - $527,071,022
It took so long for America’s favorite dysfunctional family to have their own theatrical film. And the final product will definitely vary on anyone’s tolerance for the long-running animated sitcom. But on its, The Simpsons Movie is a laugh riot from start to finish.
Stretching a simple 22-minute episodic plot to 90 minutes, the film retains the quirks and antics that fans and viewers would associate to the Simpsons. This outing centers on the family being embroiled in a disaster that Homer caused. In turn, it become a character showcase for each Simpson, especially Marge, and a poke on environmentalism.
The Lion King (1994) - $968,483,777
Arguably the most influential film of the Disney Renaissance pantheon, The Lion King is Walt Disney Animation at its peak of excellence. While considering that this is definitely Hamlet set in the African savannahs, the film is an enthralling experience on an animation standpoint, from its groundbreaking animation that brought wonder to the African landscape to the gorgeous scenery that gave one of cinema’s iconic scenes.
Yet, the film is further elevated with an engaging story, lovable characters (from the villainous Scar to sidekicks Timon & Pumbaa), astonishing music by Hans Zimmer and unforgettable songs (from “Circle to Life” to “Hakuna Matata”). Its influence to animation and pop culture cannot be underestimated of Disney’s storytelling power.