This is a list of theatrical animated feature films released by Universal Pictures , the film division of Comcast 's NBCUniversal .
Universal Pictures releases films from Universal-owned and non-Universal owned animation studios. Most films listed below are from Illumination which began as the feature animation department of Universal, producing its first feature-length animated film Despicable Me in 2010. Beginning with How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World in 2019, Universal also released animated films by DreamWorks Animation , which was acquired by NBCUniversal in 2016.[ 1] [ 2] [ 3] Other studio units have also released films theatrically, including Universal Animation Studios , which now focuses mainly on animating television shows and direct-to-video films.
The studio's distribution unit acquires film rights from outside animation studios to release films under the Universal Pictures or Focus Features film labels. For example, Laika 's stop-motion animated features were released by Universal through its Focus Features label. Other studios globally have released films through Universal Pictures which maintains distribution rights in certain territories.
International releases [ edit ]
Highest-grossing films [ edit ]
† indicates films playing in theaters around the world in the week commencing 22 November 2024 .
This list does not include films combining live-action with animation.
Rank
Film
Worldwide gross
Studio
Year
Ref.
1
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
$1,363,298,473
Illumination and Nintendo
2023
[ 57]
2
Minions
$1,159,398,397
Illumination
2015
[ 58]
3
Despicable Me 3
$1,034,799,409
2017
[ 59]
4
Despicable Me 2
$970,761,885
2013
[ 60]
5
Despicable Me 4
$968,240,710
2024
[ 61]
6
Minions: The Rise of Gru
$939,628,210
2022
[ 62]
7
The Secret Life of Pets
$875,457,937
2016
[ 63]
8
Sing
$634,151,679
[ 64]
9
Kung Fu Panda 4
$546,362,086
DreamWorks Animation
2024
[ 65]
10
Despicable Me
$543,113,985
Illumination
2010
[ 66]
Release Notes
^ Listed are the original theatrical release dates in the United States (or other non-U.S. territories) when the film was contributed by Universal. Different distributors are attributed and credited for distributing each film throughout the history of Universal.
^ Original Soviet release date was November 15, 1957
^ Released by Universal Pictures in North America
^ Listed are the original theatrical release dates in the United States (or other non-U.S. territories) when the film was contributed by Universal. Different distributors are attributed and credited for distributing each film throughout the history of Universal.
^ a b Not released theatrically in the United States, released as DTV film
Studio/Production Notes
Rights Notes
^ "Comcast's NBCUniversal buys DreamWorks Animation in $3.8-billion deal" . Los Angeles Times . 28 April 2016. Retrieved April 28, 2016 .
^ "NBCUniversal Unveils New DreamWorks Annimation Senior Management" . The Hollywood Reporter . 23 August 2016. Retrieved September 3, 2016 .
^ McNary, Dave (August 22, 2016). "Comcast Completes $3.8 Billion Purchase of DreamWorks Animation" . Variety . Retrieved October 27, 2016 .
^ a b c Kroll, Justin (January 25, 2017). " 'Sing 2' Set for Christmas Day 2020 Release" . Variety . Retrieved January 26, 2017 .
^ Milligan, Mercedes (March 26, 2014). "DreamWorks Adopts FLIX for Story Development" . Animation Magazine . Retrieved March 27, 2014 . Culton, who made her directorial debut with Sony's Open Season, is currently writing and directing a film about a young girl and a Yeti for DWA with the working title Everest.
^ "Two in One Interview: NY Illustrators – Character Designers" . ctnanimationexpo.com . CTN Animation Expo. Archived from the original on December 24, 2013. Retrieved December 21, 2013 .
^ Gachman, Dina (March 21, 2013). "Bringing 'The Croods' to Life: A Spotlight Interview with Producers Kristine Belson and Jane Hartwell" . Studio System News . Archived from the original on December 24, 2013. Retrieved December 21, 2013 .
^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 5, 2016). " 'How To Train Your Dragon 3' Flies To 2019; Uni's DWA To Scale 'Everest' " . Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved December 9, 2016 .
^ McNary, Dave (18 May 2018). "DreamWorks-Pearl Studio Animated Movie 'Everest' Retitled 'Abominable' (EXCLUSIVE)" . Variety . Retrieved 19 May 2018 .
^ "@Trolls" . twitter.com . Archived from the original on 2020-11-11. Retrieved 2018-10-20 .
^ Lee, Ashley (February 28, 2017). "Universal Sets 'Trolls' Sequel for 2020 Debut" . The Hollywood Reporter .
^ Kroll, Justin (February 28, 2017). "Universal DreamWorks Animation Announces 'Trolls 2'; Sets for April 10, 2020" . Variety .
^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 6, 2017). " 'Fast & Furious 9' Drives To Easter Weekend 2020; 'Trolls 2' Moves To Spring 2020 – Update" . Deadline .
^ "Emmys: Trolls Light Up Animation Race With Holiday Special" . Hollywood Reporter . June 12, 2018.
^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2020-03-04). " 'Trolls World Tour' Fills Easter Void Left By 'No Time To Die' " . Deadline . Retrieved 2020-03-04 .
^ Fuster, Jeremy (September 19, 2017). "Universal Revives 'Croods 2,' Sets DreamWorks Animation Sequel for 2020" . The Wrap .
^ a b c D'Alessandro, Anthony (12 April 2019). " 'Sing 2' To Croon Summer 2021; 'The Croods 2' Moves To Holiday Season 2020" . Deadline.
^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (7 October 2019). "DreamWorks Animation & Universal To Release 'Spirit Riding Free' & 'The Bad Guys' In 2021" . Deadline . Deadline. Retrieved 8 October 2019 .
^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (10 November 2020). "Jennifer Lopez Romantic Comedy 'Marry Me' Heads To Summer" . Deadline . Retrieved 10 November 2020 .
^ McClintock, Pamela (May 25, 2017). " 'Boss Baby 2' With Alec Baldwin to Hit Theaters in Spring 2021" . Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved May 26, 2017 .
^ a b Tartaglione, Nancy (April 1, 2020). " 'Minions: The Rise Of Gru', 'Sing 2' Set New 2021 Release Dates; 'Wicked' Still Brewing Slot" . Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved April 1, 2020 .
^ "DreamWorks Animation Stakes Release Dates For 2021 & Beyond" . Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on 2018-06-12. Retrieved 2018-10-20 .
^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 26, 2019). " 'Puss In Boots 2' In The Works: 'Spider-Verse' Oscar Winner Bob Persichetti Directing" . Deadline. Retrieved February 27, 2019 .
^ " 'Puss in Boots' Sequel With Antonio Banderas Set for Fall 2022" . TheWrap . 2021-03-17. Retrieved 2021-03-17 .
^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 25, 2022). " 'Puss In Boots: The Last Wish' Heads To Christmas Time" . Deadline . Retrieved April 25, 2022 .
^ Pallotta, Frank (November 14, 2017). " 'Super Mario Bros.' animated movie in the works at Illumination Entertainment" . CNNMoney . Retrieved November 14, 2017 .
^ Lang, Brent (6 November 2018). "Inside Illumination's Plans for Animated 'Super Mario Bros.' Movie" . Variety . Retrieved 6 November 2018 .
^ "Massimo Proietti: "Disruptive ideas are needed" " . E-DUESSE.IT . December 12, 2022. Retrieved February 2, 2023 .
^ Grobar, Matt (March 16, 2023). "DreamWorks Movie Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken Casts Lana Condor, Toni Collette" . Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved 16 March 2023 .
^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 15, 2022). "Strays : Universal Dates Will Ferrell, Jamie Foxx & Will Forte Comedy For Summer 2023" . Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved March 14, 2022 .
^ Mendelson, Scott (2023-05-08). "Universal Moves 'Strays' to August as 'Please Don't Destroy' Comedy Pivots to Peacock" . TheWrap . Retrieved 2023-05-08 .
^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2021-11-22). " 'Trolls 3' Lands Release Date, DreamWorks Animation Title Will Be Exclusive Theatrical" . Deadline . Retrieved 2021-11-22 .
^ a b Moreau, Jordan (February 18, 2022). "Despicable Me 4 Set for Summer 2024 by Illumination, Universal" . Variety . Archived from the original on February 18, 2022. Retrieved February 18, 2022 .
^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 12, 2022). "DreamWorks Animation's 'Kung Fu Panda 4' Is Happening; Universal Sets 2024 Release" . Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved August 12, 2022 .
^ a b c d "The Numbers - Theatrical Release Schedule Changes for the Week Ending November 12, 2023" . The Numbers . Retrieved 2023-11-17 .
^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2023-12-19). "DreamWorks Animation's 'The Wild Robot' To Bring Life To Early Fall 2024 Box Office" . Deadline . Retrieved 2023-12-19 .
^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (23 April 2024). "DreamWorks Animation's 'The Wild Robot' Will Go One Week Later In The Fall" . Deadline . Retrieved 23 April 2024 .
^ Grobar, Matt (29 January 2024). " 'Dog Man' Movie Based On Books From 'Captain Underpants' Creator Set For 2025 Release From Universal And DWA" . Deadline . Retrieved 29 January 2024 .
^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (26 March 2024). "DreamWorks Animation Sets 'The Bad Guys 2' For Late Summer 2025" . Deadline . Retrieved 26 March 2024 .
^ McClintock, Pamela (25 April 2024). " 'Gabby's Dollhouse: The Movie' to Get the Big-Screen Treatment in 2025" . The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved 25 April 2024 .
^ MAR10 Day 2024 , retrieved 2024-03-10
^ Lang, Brent (March 10, 2024). "New 'Super Mario Bros.' World Animated Movie in the Works From Illumination, Nintendo" . Variety . Retrieved March 10, 2024 .
^ Lang, Brett (November 6, 2018). " 'Shrek,' 'Puss in Boots' Getting Rebooted (EXCLUSIVE)" . Variety . Retrieved November 6, 2018 .
^ Lang, Brent (November 6, 2018). "How Chris Meledandri Became the Most Powerful Man in Animation" . Variety . Retrieved November 6, 2018 .
^ Lang, Brent (April 4, 2023). " 'Shrek 5' With Original Cast, Donkey Spinoff With Eddie Murphy, 'Sing 3' and More Teased by Illumination's Chris Meledandri (EXCLUSIVE)" . Variety. Retrieved April 4, 2023 .
^ McPherson, Chris (June 24, 2024). "Eddie Murphy Finally Delivers Huge Update on 'Shrek 5' and 'Donkey' Spin-Off Movie [Exclusive]" . Collider . Retrieved June 24, 2024 .
^ Sharf, Zack; Shanfeld, Ethan (2024-07-09). " 'Shrek 5' Set for July 2026 With Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz Returning" . Variety . Retrieved 2024-07-09 .
^ "New VeggieTales 'LarryBoy' Feature Film Announced for 2026" . www.jesusfreakhideout.com . Retrieved 2024-03-02 .
^ Marie, Leah; Klett, Ann (2024-02-06). "VeggieTales' cucumber star LarryBoy to get his own faith-based feature film in 2026" . www.christianpost.com . Retrieved 2024-03-02 .
^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 11, 2024). "Universal Sets Illumination's 'Minions 3' For Independence Day 2027 Frame; Franchise Nearing $5B Global" . Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved July 11, 2024 .
^ "New LEGO Movie to Be Live-Action and Animation Hybrid From The Lost City Directors" . Movies . Retrieved 2023-07-20 .
^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2019-10-15). " 'The Addams Family 2' Is In The Works After Great $35M+ 4-Day Weekend, MGM/UAR Set Fall 2021 Release" . Deadline . Retrieved 2019-10-15 .
^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (October 8, 2020). " 'The Addams Family 2': Bill Hader & Javon "Wanna" Walton Join Voice Cast" . Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on October 8, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020 .
^ Hazelton, John (10 January 2023). "Why 'Marcel the Shell with Shoes On' team turned down the big studios" . Screen International . Archived from the original on January 10, 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2023 .
^ Sarto, Debbie Diamond (13 July 2022). "Universal Pictures Content Group Snags 'Mavka. The Forest Song' French Distribution Rights" . Animation World Network . Retrieved 13 May 2023 .
^ Earl, William (January 26, 2024). "Pharrell Williams Creating a Lego Animated Biopic With Focus Features" . Retrieved January 26, 2024 .
^ "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" . Box Office Mojo .
^ "Minions" . Box Office Mojo .
^ "Despicable Me 3" . Box Office Mojo .
^ "Despicable Me 2" . Box Office Mojo .
^ "Despicable Me 4" . Box Office Mojo .
^ "Minions: The Rise of Gru" . Box Office Mojo .
^ "The Secret Life of Pets" . Box Office Mojo .
^ "Sing" . Box Office Mojo .
^ "Kung Fu Panda 4" . Box Office Mojo .
^ "Despicable Me" . Box Office Mojo .
Feature films
Theatrical Direct-to-video Direct-to-digital Upcoming
Franchises People Divisions Related topics
Direct-to-video/streaming feature films
Universal Cartoon Studios Universal Animation Studios
Theatrical films Short films TV series TV specials Franchises Associated productions Miscellaneous See also