#1 of 87 #1 animation movie of 2021
Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train (2021)
2021 · Action, Adventure
$485.5M worldwide · 26% of the chart's total
$49.9M US & Canada · 10% $435.7M elsewhere · 90%
Animation box office · 2021
Animation Box Office 2021: Highest-Grossing Animation Movies
Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train (2021) is the highest-grossing animation movie released in 2021, with $485.5M worldwide, ahead of Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway (2021) at $153.9M and The Boss Baby: Family Business (2021) at $146.7M. 87 animation films released in 2021 report a worldwide gross, $1.8B in all, 16% of it from the US & Canada. 5 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is up 46% on 2020, whose releases took $1.3B. By language, Japanese leads with $854.2M across 25 animation releases.
- 2021 releases with a gross
- 87
- combined worldwide
- $1.8B
- films crossed $100M
- 5
- vs 2020
- +46%
#1 of 87 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Animation Hits of 2021?
Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train (2021) leads with $485.5M, 26% of the total. The top 5 together took $1.1B, 58% of what all 87 films earned. Each bar splits a film's gross into the US & Canada and the rest of the world.
- Number 1 $485.5M Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train (2021)$49.9M US & Canada · 10% $435.7M elsewhere · 90%
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Number 2 -
Number 3 -
Number 4 -
Number 5
US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world
The chart
Every Animation Release of 2021, Ranked by Worldwide Gross
Ranks 1 to 50 of 87. Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada. Films are grouped by their release date in 2021.
- 1 Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train (2021)Apr 23, 2021 US and Canada: $49.9M Rest of the world: $435.7M Worldwide: $485.5M
Apr 23, 2021 · Japanese · Action, Adventure, Fantasy $485.5M worldwide - 2 Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway (2021)Jun 11, 2021 US and Canada: $40.5M Rest of the world: $113.4M Worldwide: $153.9M
Jun 11, 2021 · English · Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy $153.9M worldwide - 3 The Boss Baby: Family Business (2021)Jul 2, 2021 US and Canada: $57.3M Rest of the world: $89.4M Worldwide: $146.7M Jul 2, 2021 · English · Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy $146.7M worldwide
- 4 Paw Patrol: The Movie (2021)Aug 20, 2021 US and Canada: $40.1M Rest of the world: $104.2M Worldwide: $144.3M Aug 20, 2021 · English · Adventure, Comedy, Animation $144.3M worldwide
- 5 Feb 26, 2021 US and Canada: $46.5M Rest of the world: $90M Worldwide: $136.5M
- 6
Detective Conan: The Scarlet Bullet (2021)Apr 16, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $95.4M Apr 16, 2021 · Japanese · Crime, Animation, Thriller $95.4M worldwide - 7
Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time (2021)Aug 13, 2021 US and Canada: $810.7K Rest of the world: $93.1M Worldwide: $93.9M Aug 13, 2021 · Japanese · Action, Sci-Fi, Drama $93.9M worldwide - 8
Boonie Bears: The Wild Life (2021)Feb 12, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $78.1M
Feb 12, 2021 · Chinese · Comedy, Adventure, Sci-Fi $78.1M worldwide - 9
Oct 22, 2021 US and Canada: $23M Rest of the world: $37.7M Worldwide: $60.7M - 10
Apr 12, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $56.1M - 11
Jun 18, 2021 US and Canada: $1.3M Rest of the world: $49.8M Worldwide: $51.1M - 12
My Hero Academia: World Heroes' Mission (2021)Oct 29, 2021 US and Canada: $12.3M Rest of the world: $34.7M Worldwide: $46.9M Oct 29, 2021 · Japanese · Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi $46.9M worldwide - 13
Jun 4, 2021 US and Canada: $17.7M Rest of the world: $25M Worldwide: $42.7M - 14
Poupelle of Chimney Town (2021)Dec 30, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $22.7M Dec 30, 2021 · Japanese · Fantasy, Animation, Family $22.7M worldwide - 15
Crayon Shin-chan: Shrouded in Mystery! The Flowers of Tenkazu Academy (2021)Apr 23, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $21.2M Apr 23, 2021 · Japanese · Animation $21.2M worldwide - 16
Jun 11, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $21.1M - 17
Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle (2021)Oct 8, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $21.1M Oct 8, 2021 · Japanese · Action, Adventure, Fantasy $21.1M worldwide - 18
Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway (2021)Jun 11, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $18.7M Jun 11, 2021 · Japanese · Action, Drama, Animation $18.7M worldwide - 19
Jan 8, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $17.2M - 20
Jul 9, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $10.4M - 21
Detective Conan: The Scarlet Alibi (2021)Feb 11, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $10.3M Feb 11, 2021 · Japanese · Animation, Mystery, Drama $10.3M worldwide - 22
Jun 24, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $8.8M - 23
Jul 20, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $8.2M - 24
Feb 11, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $7.3M - 25
Dec 10, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $7.1M - 26
Horse Julius on the Throne and Three Heroes (2021)Dec 30, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $7.1M
Dec 30, 2021 · Russian · Animation, Adventure, Comedy $7.1M worldwide - 27
Oct 15, 2021 US and Canada: $76.4K Rest of the world: $6.6M Worldwide: $6.7M - 28
The Laws of the Universe: The Age of Elohim (2021)Oct 22, 2021 US and Canada: $15.8K Rest of the world: $5.9M Worldwide: $5.9M Oct 22, 2021 · Japanese · Animation, Fantasy, Sci-Fi $5.9M worldwide - 29
Jan 8, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5.5M - 30
The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run (2021)Mar 4, 2021 US and Canada: $4.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $4.8M Mar 4, 2021 · English · Adventure, Comedy, Animation $4.8M worldwide - 31
Maya the Bee: The Golden Orb (2021)Jan 7, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4.3M Jan 7, 2021 · English · Adventure, Animation, Family $4.3M worldwide - 32
Oct 14, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4.3M - 33
Girls und Panzer das Finale: Part III (2021)Mar 26, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $4.3M Mar 26, 2021 · Japanese · Action, Animation, Comedy $4.3M worldwide - 34
Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds (2021)Jun 13, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $3.1M
Jun 13, 2021 · Spanish · Animation, Adventure, Comedy $3.1M worldwide - 35
Dec 3, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.7M - 36
Jun 18, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.6M - 37
Aug 10, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.6M - 38
Sep 3, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.4M - 39
Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas (2021)Dec 3, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2M Dec 3, 2021 · English · Comedy, Animation, Family $2M worldwide - 40
Jun 18, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.8M - 41
Nov 24, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.8M - 42
Oct 22, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.7M - 43
Jun 16, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.5M - 44
Dec 10, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.5M - 45
Aug 19, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.4M - 46
My Little Pony: A New Generation (2021)Sep 24, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.4M Sep 24, 2021 · English · Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy $1.4M worldwide - 47
BanG Dream! Episode of Roselia I: Promise (2021)Apr 23, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.1M Apr 23, 2021 · Japanese · Music, Animation, Drama $1.1M worldwide - 48
The Seven Deadly Sins: Cursed by Light (2021)Jul 2, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.1M Jul 2, 2021 · Japanese · Animation, Fantasy $1.1M worldwide - 49
Mar 5, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.1M - 50
Dec 31, 2021 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $931.6K
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 2021?
Of the top 10, The Boss Baby: Family Business (2021) earned the biggest share at home (39% in the US & Canada), while Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time (2021) made 99% of its gross abroad. Across all 87 films, $295M (16%) came from the US & Canada. 3 films of the top 10 report no US & Canada figure.
- 1 Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train (2021) $485.5M $49.9M US & Canada · 10% $435.7M elsewhere · 90%
- 2 Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway (2021) $153.9M $40.5M US & Canada · 26% $113.4M elsewhere · 74%
- 3 The Boss Baby: Family Business (2021) $146.7M $57.3M US & Canada · 39% $89.4M elsewhere · 61%
- 4 Paw Patrol: The Movie (2021) $144.3M $40.1M US & Canada · 28% $104.2M elsewhere · 72%
- 5 Tom & Jerry (2021) $136.5M $46.5M US & Canada · 34% $90M elsewhere · 66%
- 6 Detective Conan: The Scarlet Bullet (2021) $95.4M No US & Canada figure reported
- 7 Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time (2021) $93.9M $810.7K US & Canada · <1% $93.1M elsewhere · 99%
- 8 Boonie Bears: The Wild Life (2021) $78.1M No US & Canada figure reported
- 9 Ron's Gone Wrong (2021) $60.7M $23M US & Canada · 38% $37.7M elsewhere · 62%
- 10 New Gods: Nezha Reborn (2021) $56.1M No US & Canada figure reported
Gross bands
How Many 2021 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
5 of 87 films crossed $100M and took $1.1B between them, 58% of the total. 66 films, 76% of the list, earned under $10M.
58% 36%
- $1B or more 0 films, 0% of the list No films
- $500M to $1B 0 films, 0% of the list No films
- $100M to $500M 5 films, 6% of the list $1.1B · 58% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 16 films, 18% of the list $667.7M · 36% of the gross
- Under $10M 66 films, 76% of the list $114.6M · 6% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 2021 Earned the Most?
April releases took the most, $659.8M from 9 films, led by Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train (2021). May was the quietest month ($890.1K). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan Gintama: The Very Final (2021) $27.1M Gintama: The Very Final (2021)
- February Feb Tom & Jerry (2021) $233.1M Tom & Jerry (2021)
- March Mar The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run (2021) $10.3M The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run (2021)
- April Apr Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train (2021) $659.8M Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train (2021)
- May May Night of the Living Dread (2021) $890.1K Night of the Living Dread (2021)
- June Jun Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway (2021) $306.3M Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway (2021)
- July Jul The Boss Baby: Family Business (2021) $167.2M The Boss Baby: Family Business (2021)
- August Aug Paw Patrol: The Movie (2021) $243.2M Paw Patrol: The Movie (2021)
- September Sep Ryoma! The Prince of Tennis (2021) $3.8M Ryoma! The Prince of Tennis (2021)
- October Oct Ron's Gone Wrong (2021) $148.3M Ron's Gone Wrong (2021)
- November Nov The Summit of the Gods (2021) $2.1M The Summit of the Gods (2021)
- December Dec Poupelle of Chimney Town (2021) $47M Poupelle of Chimney Town (2021)
Last 10 years
How Does 2021 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 2019 earned the most: $7.5B from 115 films, led by The Lion King (2019). 2021 took $1.8B.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 72 films | 72 | $4.4B | – | Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012) $877.2M |
| 2013 68 films · +2% | 68 | $4.5B | +2% | Despicable Me 2 (2013) $970.8M |
| 2014 80 films · −14% | 80 | $3.9B | −14% | Big Hero 6 (2014) $657.9M |
| 2015 83 films · +56% | 83 | $6.1B | +56% | Minions (2015) $1.2B |
| 2016 81 films · ±0% | 81 | $6.1B | ±0% | Finding Dory (2016) $1B |
| 2017 112 films · −24% | 112 | $4.6B | −24% | Despicable Me 3 (2017) $1B |
| 2018 123 films · +12% | 123 | $5.2B | +12% | Incredibles 2 (2018) $1.2B |
| 2019 115 films · +46% | 115 | $7.5B | +46% | The Lion King (2019) $1.7B |
| 2020 79 films · −83% | 79 | $1.3B | −83% | Jiang Ziya (2020) $240.6M |
| 2021 87 films · +46% | 87 | $1.8B | +46% | Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train (2021) $485.5M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Animation Movies Speak in 2021?
Japanese-language animation films took $854.2M across 25 films, 46% of the total, ahead of English-language animation films ($801.4M) and Chinese-language animation films ($145M).
2021 Animation Box Office by Language
- Japanese $854.2M25 films · #1 Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train (2021)
- English $801.4M34 films · #1 Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway (2021)
- Chinese $145M4 films · #1 Boonie Bears: The Wild Life (2021)
- Russian $13M7 films · #1 Horse Julius on the Throne and Three Heroes (2021)
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Dutch $10.4M1 film · #1 Realm of Terracotta (2021) -
German $8.8M1 film · #1 Moonbound (2021) -
French $3.9M3 films · #1 The Summit of the Gods (2021) - Spanish $3.1M2 films · #1 Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds (2021)
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Danish $2.1M2 films · #1 Checkered Ninja 2 (2021) -
Czech $1.5M1 film · #1 Even Mice Belong in Heaven (2021)
Archive
Animation Box Office Year by Year
Every year from 1938 to 2026 with its total and its biggest film. 2019 leads with $7.5B, led by The Lion King (2019).
2020s 7 years · $23.8B
- 2026 so far $3.7B #1 Toy Story 5 (2026)
- 2025 $6.3B #1 Ne Zha 2 (2025)
- 2024 $6.5B #1 Inside Out 2 (2024)
- 2023 $2.2B #1 Migration (2023)
- 2022 $1.9B #1 Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022)
- 2021 $1.8B #1 Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train (2021)
- 2020 $1.3B #1 Jiang Ziya (2020)
2010s 10 years · $51.2B
- 2019 $7.5B #1 The Lion King (2019)
- 2018 $5.2B #1 Incredibles 2 (2018)
- 2017 $4.6B #1 Despicable Me 3 (2017)
- 2016 $6.1B #1 Finding Dory (2016)
- 2015 $6.1B #1 Minions (2015)
- 2014 $3.9B #1 Big Hero 6 (2014)
- 2013 $4.5B #1 Despicable Me 2 (2013)
- 2012 $4.4B #1 Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012)
- 2011 $4.7B #1 Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011)
- 2010 $4.1B #1 Toy Story 3 (2010)
2000s 10 years · $24.1B
- 2009 $4.2B #1 Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009)
- 2008 $2.9B #1 Kung Fu Panda (2008)
- 2007 $3.3B #1 Shrek the Third (2007)
- 2006 $3.1B #1 Ice Age: The Meltdown (2006)
- 2005 $1.9B #1 Madagascar (2005)
- 2004 $2.6B #1 Shrek 2 (2004)
- 2003 $1.8B #1 Finding Nemo (2003)
- 2002 $1.4B #1 Ice Age (2002)
- 2001 $1.6B #1 Monsters, Inc. (2001)
- 2000 $1.4B #1 Dinosaur (2000)
1990s 10 years · $5.6B
- 1999 $1.2B #1 Toy Story 2 (1999)
- 1998 $1.2B #1 A Bug's Life (1998)
- 1997 $185M #1 Anastasia (1997)
- 1996 $431.6M #1 The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)
- 1995 $792.8M #1 Toy Story (1995)
- 1994 $993.1M #1 The Lion King (1994)
- 1993 $128M #1 The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
- 1992 $53.3M #1 FernGully: The Last Rainforest (1992)
- 1991 $506.5M #1 Beauty and the Beast (1991)
- 1990 $42.4M #1 Jetsons: The Movie (1990)
1980s 9 years · $1.1B
- 1989 $226.7M #1 The Little Mermaid (1989)
- 1988 $530.1M #1 Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
- 1987 $31.6M #1 The Adventures of Oliver Twist (1987)
- 1986 $149.6M #1 An American Tail (1986)
- 1985 $68.9M #1 The Care Bears Movie (1985)
- 1983 $791.3K #1 Fire and Ice (1983)
- 1982 $34M #1 Pink Floyd: The Wall (1982)
- 1981 $64M #1 The Fox and the Hound (1981)
- 1980 $2.2M #1 Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown (and Don't Come Back!!) (1980)
1970s 9 years · $311.5M
- 1979 $439.5K #1 Space Battleship Yamato: The New Voyage (1979)
- 1978 $30.5M #1 The Lord of the Rings (1978)
- 1977 $74.4M #1 The Rescuers (1977)
- 1976 $3.9M #1 Robot Taekwon V (1976)
- 1975 $11.2M #1 The Smurfs and the Magic Flute (1975)
- 1974 $5.9K #1 Dunderklumpen! (1974)
- 1973 $3.1K #1 Fantastic Planet (1973)
- 1971 $844 #1 Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971)
- 1970 $191M #1 The Aristocats (1970)
1960s 5 years · $221.6M
1950s 9 years · $329.5M
- 1959 $51.6M #1 Sleeping Beauty (1959)
- 1958 $14.8K #1 Hare-Way to the Stars (1958)
- 1957 $14.8K #1 Ali Baba Bunny (1957)
- 1955 $93.9M #1 Lady and the Tramp (1955)
- 1954 $14.8K #1 Devil May Hare (1954)
- 1953 $87.5M #1 Peter Pan (1953)
- 1952 $59K #1 Rabbit’s Kin (1952)
- 1951 $16K #1 Lovelorn Leghorn (1951)
- 1950 $96.4M #1 Cinderella (1950)
1940s 8 years · $428.3M
1930s 1 year · $185.1M
FAQ
Animation Box Office 2021: Questions & Answers
The chart's numbers in short: the #1 film, the total, the billion-dollar hits and the US & Canada share, answered from the same 87 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing animation movie in 2021?
Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train (2021) leads with $485.5M worldwide, $49.9M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway (2021) at $153.9M and The Boss Baby: Family Business (2021) at $146.7M.
How much did animation movies released in 2021 earn?
87 animation films released in 2021 report a worldwide gross, $1.8B in all, or $21.3M per film on average. 2020 releases took $1.3B.
How many animation movies released in 2021 made $1 billion?
None. 5 films crossed $100 million, led by Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train (2021) with $485.5M.
How is the 2021 animation box office chart ranked and where do the numbers come from?
Films are ranked by lifetime worldwide gross in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation, and grouped by their release date in 2021. The figures are the reported box office grosses in our database. A gross that looks misattributed, such as one figure shared by two unrelated films or a blockbuster total on an obscure title, is left out rather than shown as a fact.
How often is the 2021 animation box office chart updated?
Grosses change while films are in theaters and whenever a new figure is reported; this chart reads the latest numbers in our database, so an older film can still move after a re-release.