The Highest-Grossing Kids’ Movies Since the Original ‘Toy Story’

The first “Shrek” film was released in 2001 and created a hit franchise that follows a grumpy green ogre who just can’t get some peace and quiet. The third film finds Shrek and his wife Fiona, happily married when they get word that Fiona’s father, King Harold, is dying and in need of the couple to succeed him on the throne. In 2007, the film set a record for the best opening weekend by an animated film. The “Shrek” films are the only DreamWorks films on this list.

The original “Shrek” movie is based on a fairy tale picture book of the same name by William Steig. Protagonist Shrek is disturbed when ruler Lord Farquaad begins exiling fairy-tale creatures to the ogre’s swamp. To regain his former peace and solitude Shrek sets out to see Farquaad, accompanied by a talking donkey. The film won the first Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film.

Nine years after “Toy Story 3,” Buzz, Woody and friends return for another adventure. The plot in “Toy Story 4” picks up where the third left off and the toys head out on a road trip with their new owner Bonnie. They meet new and old friends along the way, trying to adapt to a world that continues to change without them. The film set a record for the highest-grossing opening weekend for a G-rated film and won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature.

The return of the “Toy Story” franchise saw the addition of several new characters and a new adventure. Originally, the film was set to be a direct-to-video sequel but someone at Disney saw the light before sending the box office hit-to-be directly to VHS. Domestically, it was the third-highest grossing film of 1999.

Jim Carrey stars as the green guy who hates Christmas in the live-action version of one of Dr. Seuss’s most famous works. This retelling of the book gives some of the Grinch’s backstory and explains how he came to be a happiness-loathing pariah living on the edge of the town of Whoville. The film was produced by Imagine Entertainment and ended Disney’s six-year streak of having the top-grossing film on Thanksgiving weekend.