Despite being released in 1994, Disney’s original The Lion King The movie still holds one particular shoulder when it comes to box office rankings, and the industry’s huge changes over the past 30 years mean even the studio that made the movie probably won’t be able to break its own record. Although there are a few harsh realities to consider when rewatching The Lion KingIt is still widely regarded as one of the best Disney movies of all time. The Lion King Made a huge splash When it was released, and it continues to be enjoyed today.
With a confirmed release date for Mufasa: The Lion KingThe prequel to the reboot version of the franchise is set to expand the saga like never before. Although the 1994 movie had sequels, none of them came anywhere near the success of the first movie. In fact, the triumph of the original remains one of the studio’s biggest achievements to this day, thanks to an interesting record that the animated film has kept.
The original Lion King is the highest-grossing 2D animated movie
The 1994 animated classic is still holding its own
Even three decades later, 1994s The Lion King is still the highest-grossing movie ever to be animated traditionally (via The numbers). Looking at a ranking of the highest grossing animated movies of all time, The Lion King is unbeatable when it comes to 2D animation. Since then there have been countless movies animated this way The Lion Kings release, making it all the more impressive that it has not yet been surpassed.
2019s The Lion King Does not take the 2D record away from its predecessor Because it relies on CGI. However, with Box Office Mojo reporting the 2019 version as taking in over $1.6B, the remake is in second place overall on the list.
Interestingly, the 2019 remake also makes the list – despite being marketed as live-action. There is a simple reason for this: it is not actually live-action. The remake was made to very closely mimic a realistic aesthetic, but it required heavy use of animation to do so. Therefore, although it is far superior to the original in the animated movie box office rankings, 2019s The Lion King Does not take the 2D record away from its predecessor Because it relies on CGI. However, with Box Office Mojo Reporting the 2019 version as taking over $1.6B, the remake is in second place overall on the list.
The majority of the top-grossing animated movies are CGI
The Lion King has done well to keep its place in the list
Although animated movies are still as popular as they ever were – if not even more so – the medium used to create these worlds has changed a lot since 1994. Although some of The lion Kings contemporary, like 1992 s Aladdin and 1995s pocahontas, Ranked among the top 100 highest-grossing animated movies, none of them make it into the top 50. In fact, The Lion King Just fall outside the top 10Despite raking in over $988M.
Going forward, it’s hard to see CGI movies slowing down, so it’s likely that all 2D movies will eventually be bumped even further down the rankings.
The most modern 2D animated movie on the list is 2007’s The Simpsons Movie. Despite the long wait for a feature-length production of ​​the legendary Matt Groening Show, and how well it was received, it still cannot compete with the list of CGI entries. It just falls outside the top 50 movies, with the entries above and below it a mix of projects that preceded and followed it. Going forward, it’s hard to see CGI movies slowing down, so it’s likely that all 2D movies will eventually be bumped even further down the rankings.
Will another 2D animated movie ever beat The Lion King’s record?
2D animated movies don’t tend to get the same amount of attention anymore
While 2D animated movies are still made today, it’s very rare for them to get a theatrical release anymore. One of the few exceptions to this rule is anime movies – especially anything from Studio Ghibli. General tastes have shifted to CGI movies that are from established franchises, or else from a proven studio like Pixar, Dreamworks, Illumination or even Disney. 2D animated movies are now much more likely to land directly on streaming platforms instead of enjoying a traditional run in cinemas, which means They have almost no chance to take The Lion Kings title.
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What is much more likely is that the animated movie rankings will one day be completely devoid of any 2D entries. Given the legacy of the art form and its impact on filmmaking through the decades, it’s a pretty grim thing to consider, but it’s certainly possible given the current direction of things. Again, this could mean that The Lion King Lasting this long and still being this high on the list is a sign that it will continue to hang on to the title of top-grossing 2D animated movie indefinitely – especially without real challengers.
Source: The numbers, Box Office Mojo