Step aside, Disney. Warner Bros. also knows how to create animated films that bring in the big bucks.
Okay, so maybe Warner Bros. isn't going to create the world's highest-grossing animated film anytime soon. That being said, the entertainment company has created its fair share of films that are successful at the box office. We're here to look at these now, using stats from Box Office Mojo. While Warner Bros. Animation is the company's primary producer of animated features today, we'll be considering any lucrative film with the Warner Bros. label.
With the logistics out of the way, it's time to get out some popcorn and blast through animation past; Here are the highest-grossing animated Warner Bros. movies of all time, according to Box Office Mojo.
The Lego Ninjago Movie ($123 Million)
The third installment in the Lego Movie franchise brought the Cartoon Network television series Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu to the big screen in 2017.
The adventure-comedy tells of Lloyd, a teen ninja who must join together with his friends in hopes of saving NINJAGO City from the evil warlord Garmadon. Plot twist: Garmadon is Lloyd's dad, and fighting for the greater good requires him to overcome his personal ties to the villain.
Though the film's performance was lower than anticipated, it still managed to gross $123 million at the box office.
Legend Of The Guardians: The Owls Of Ga’Hoole ($140 Million)
This adventure, based on the fantasy book series of the same name by Kathryn Lasky, tells of brother owls who end up getting captured by an evil group who deems themselves the Pure Ones. After one of the siblings escapes, he sets out to find the legendary Guardians to help his kind defend themselves.
Though the story was criticized, the visuals were praised. This had the film flying its way to a $140 million gross worldwide.
Happy Feet Two ($150 Million)
2011's Happy Feet Two has the tap-dancing penguin Mumble dealing with his son, Erik, who isn't so sure about busting a move. After Erik runs away, he comes in contact with a penguin that knows how to fly and quickly views him as a hero. While Mumble might not have flight skills, his true talents come in handy after an iceberg threatens to wreak havoc on Antarctica.
Though the movie's box office score was low compared to its $135 million budget, the $150 million it did pull in ranks high when compared to Warner Bros.'s other animated features.
Storks ($183 Million)
This 2016 adventure-comedy tells of Tulip and her stork partner, Junior, who work for an online shop known as Cornerstore.com. After accidentally creating a child using an old baby factory, however, Junior is forced to make a delivery like the ones his ancestors completed before his manager can catch on to the mistake.
The reviews were mixed-to-positive with many praising the energetic fun of the film. This had it soaring to a $183 million box office score.
The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part ($191 Million)
The Lego Movie's 2019 sequel (which is also the most recent film to be released by Warner Animation Group) had Emmet and Lucy dealing with a post-apocalyptic Brickburg, which has been renamed "Apocalyypseburg."
Though the gang is hoping to restore peace, they're soon transported to a faraway land where the shape-shifting Queen Watevera Wa'Nabi hopes to unite the Lego and Duplo worlds together. While most of the Master Builders believe her, Lucy is skeptical. Meanwhile, Emmet tries to rescue his friends with help from a mysterious hero named Rex.
The film managed to build up a $191 million gross at the box office.
Smallfoot ($214 Million)
This musical comedy tells of a Yeti named Migo who discovers a "smallfoot" human after his plane crashes. Shocked that these mythical creatures are real, he relays the story to his village. Unfortunately, they don't believe him. It's up to Migo to prove them wrong.
The 2018 movie pulled in $214 million during its theatrical release. Though no sequel is scheduled, its producers have expressed interest in a follow-up film.
The Lego Batman Movie ($311 Million)
Batman sets out to defend Gotham from the Joker's newest schemes in this Lego Movie installment. Though he's grown used to being a loner, he might have to sacrifice his independence and join together with an orphaned Robin and his butler Alfred in order to save the city.
The 2017 superhero comedy flew to critical success for being beautifully animated and bursting with humor and life. It also managed to snag $311 million from theater-goers.
The Polar Express ($313 Million)
All aboard!
This 2004 holiday adventure film, based on the 1985 children's book of the same name, tells of a boy who goes on a train ride to the North Pole on Christmas Eve in hopes of seeing Santa. Though he struggles to believe in magic, his curiosity gets the best of him.
The Christmas classic received three Academy Award nominations at the time of its release including Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Original Song. It also managed to pull in $313 Million at the box office.
Happy Feet ($384 Million)
Of course, the Happy Feet sequel could have never existed without the original.
This 2006 musical tells of a young penguin named Mumble who doesn't know how to sing. In a land where this is essential to finding a soul mate, his problem is large. Thankfully Mumble soon discovers a different superpower: dancing.
The film reached both critical and box office success, scoring Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards in 2006 and bringing in $384 million.
The Lego Movie ($468 Million)
Topping off the list as Warner Bros.'s highest-grossing animated film of all time is the original Lego Movie.
The 2014 comedy-adventure tells of an ordinary construction worker named Emmet who is mistakenly chosen as the "special," a being that is destined to save the Legos from being taken over by the evil Lord Business. With a little help from the ready-to-fight Wyldstyle, a serious Batman, the excitable Princess Unikitty, a cyborg pirate, and an 80s spaceman, coming out on top might just be possible.
The Lego Movie ultimately brought in $468 million worldwide.