20 Disney movies that led the studio to its peak

Walt Disney Studios is one of the most powerful Hollywood studios and has released or distributed several movies under its banner. Disney is a name associated with family-friendly entertainment and trust. Here are 20 movies by the banner, ranked in order of their worldwide box office records, that have kept the studio at the top. The collections are based on the figures provided by The Numbers website.

20. Toy Story 3 (2010)

Directed by Lee Unkrich, this comedy-drama animated movie is the third installment in the Toy Story franchise. The movie follows the adventures of Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and others, who have been donated to a daycare center after their owner, Andy, prepares to go to college. The movie became the first animated film to earn a billion. It even won Best Animated Feature at the Oscars. The film has earned $1.068 billion at the worldwide box office.

19. Stars Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

Starring Mark Hamill, Daisy Ridley, and others, this space opera movie is directed by J.J. Abrams and is the final installment in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. The movie centers around the characters Rey, Poe, and Finn. They lead the Resistance against the opposition leader, Kylo, First Order, and Emperor Palpatine. Even though it received mixed reviews, it collected $1.077 billion at the worldwide box office and received nominations for its visual effects.

18. Toy Story 4 (2019)

Directed by Josh Cooley, the animated comedy-drama is the fourth installment in the successful Toy Story franchise. The film follows the toys - Woody and Buzz Lightyear, who go on a road trip with the other toys. Woody also meets Bo Peep and must make crucial decisions. The film continued to gain positive reviews like its predecessors and won the Best Animated Feature award at the Oscars. It earned $1.071 billion at the worldwide box office.

17. Captain Marvel (2019)

Starring Brie Larson and directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, this superhero movie based on the Marvel comics character is a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and Larson essays the titular role. The movie traces the origin story of Carl Danvers, who becomes the eponymous superhero after Earth is caught in a galactic war. The film became the first female-led superhero movie to cross the one billion mark and earned $1.129 billion at the box office worldwide.

16. Captain America: Civil War (2016)

Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo and starring Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, and others, the superhero movie is based on the Marvel comics character. It revolves around the internal bifurcation of the Avengers, which happens due to the disagreement over international oversight of the superhero team. The film was critically and commercially successful, and its figures stand at $1.151 billion at the worldwide box office.

15. Iron Man 3 (2013)

Starring Robert Downey Jr. and directed by Shane Black, the superhero movie based on the Marvel comics character is part of the MCU. The movie is set in the aftermath of The Avengers and how Tony Stark/Iron Man deals with it. Stark must also be on the lookout as a new enemy, the Mandarin, launches a national terrorism attack on the US. The film was successful and accumulated $1.214 billion at the worldwide box office.

14. Incredibles 2 (2018)

Directed by Brad Bird, this animated movie is a sequel to The Incredibles. It revolves around the superhero family as they try to win back the public’s trust and affection while also juggling their personal troubles. The film features the voices of Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, and others and received positive reviews. The film set the record for the best debut for an animated movie and earned $1.242 billion at the worldwide box office.

13. Beauty and the Beast (2017)

Starring Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, and others, this live-action remake of the classic fairytale is a musical romantic fantasy directed by Bill Condon. The film follows the story of a young girl stuck in a beast’s palace while trying to save her father. She ultimately frees the beast from his curse, who is actually a prince, and the two fall for each other. The movie was a success and earned $1.268 billion at the worldwide box office.

12. Frozen (2013)

Featuring the voices of Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, and others, this animated musical fantasy movie is directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee. The movie is about Anna, a princess, who sets off on a journey to bring back her sister, who has caged herself with her icy powers. The movie was a smash hit and won the Oscar award for Best Animated Feature. Its figures stand at $1.271 billion at the worldwide box office.

11. Star Wars Ep. VIII: The Last Jedi (2017)

Directed by Rian Johnson, this epic space opera movie is the second installment in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. It revolves around Rey, from the Resistance, who seeks help from Luke Skywalker for her fight against Kylo and the First Order. The movie also follows the adventures of General Leia, Finn, and Poe, who must escape from an attack by the First Order. The film was well-received and earned $1.322 billion at the worldwide box office.

10. Black Panther (2018)

Starring Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, and others, this superhero movie based on the Marvel Comics character is directed by Ryan Coogler and follows the journey of T’Challa, who is the king of Wakanda, and his fight against the Killmonger, who wants to take the revenge of his father’s death and destroy the kingdom. The film was a huge success and became the highest-grossing movie by a black filmmaker. The movie garnered $1.334 billion at the worldwide box office.

9. Deadpool and Wolverine (2024)

Starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, this comedy superhero movie is based on the characters of the Marvel comics and is a part of the MCU. The movie is about Deadpool’s efforts to work alongside Wolverine after he learns about the plan of the Time Variance Authority to destroy his universe. The film was a hit and became viral. It earned $1.338 billion at the worldwide box office.

8. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

Directed by Joss Whedon, this superhero movie based on the Marvel comics superhero team features an ensemble cast of Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, and others. The film centers around the fight between Avengers and Ultron, an artificial intelligence created by Tony Stark for the safety of humans but which turns rogue and plans to destroy the Earth. The film was successful and earned $1.395 billion at the worldwide box office.

7. Frozen II (2019)

A sequel to Frozen, this animated musical fantasy movie is directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee and brings back the voices of Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, and others. The film is set three years after the first movie and follows the sisters, Anna and Elsa, who travel to a magical forest to learn about the origins of Elsa’s magical powers. They broke many box-office records upon its release. It stands at $1.451 billion at the worldwide box office.

6. The Avengers (2012)

Starring Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, and others, this superhero movie based on the Marvel comics is directed by Joss Whedon. The film follows the origin story of the Avengers and how they were assembled by Nick Fury and the spy agency SHIELD to come together and fight against Thor’s brother Loki. The film was successful and the first Marvel movie to earn one billion in tickets. It earned $1.515 billion at the worldwide box office.

5. The Lion King (2019)

Directed by Jon Favreau, this musical drama is a photorealistically animated remake of the 1994 animated movie. Featuring the voices of Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, and others, the film is about Simba, a young lion who is exiled after his father is killed by his uncle, Scar. He must now come back and fight for his rightful throne. The film received mixed reviews but has earned $1.661 billion at the worldwide box office.

4. Inside Out 2 (2024)

Starring the voices of Maya Hawke, Ayo Edibiri, Amy Poehler, and others, this animated coming-of-age movie is directed by Kelsey Mann and is a sequel to Inside Out. The movie follows Riley, an adolescent girl, and her emotions, now joined by newer emotions, as Riley grows up and undergoes changes. The movie was a critical and commercial success and earned $1.698 billion at the worldwide box office, making it the current highest-earning animated movie.

3. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, the superhero movie by MCU revolves around the Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy, who combine forces to stop Thanos from collecting the powerful Infinity Stones, which have the power to kill half of all life in the universe. The film was a smash hit and the first superhero movie to gross over two billion worldwide. Its figures stand at $2,048 billion at the worldwide box office.

2. Star Wars Ep. VII: The Force Awakens (2015)

Directed by J.J. Abrams, the space opera epic is about Rey, Finn, Poe, and Han Solo’s search for Luke Skywalker as they prepare to fight as the Resistance against Kylo and the First Order. The movie also features General Leia and other people from the Rebel Alliance. The return of Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Mark Hamill made the film a smash hit and broke various box office records. It earned $2.056 billion at the worldwide box office.

1. Avengers: Endgame (2019)

This superhero movie, based on Marvel comics, is directed by Anthony and Joe Russo. It brings back its ensemble cast, where the surviving members of the Avengers gather to reverse the actions of Thanos in the Infinity War, which led to mass destruction. The film was highly anticipated and was a huge success. It earned $2.748 billion at the worldwide box office.