List of highest-grossing adult animated films

These are the following list of highest-grossing animated films primarily aimed for adult audiences. Each film is required to be either PG-13, R, NC-17 (successor to X-rated) or Unrated by the Motion Picture Association. Both PG-13 and R rating apply to the television equivalent of the Motion Picture Association such as TV-14 and TV-MA, which is also included but must be applied on the list.

Adult animated films achieved massive box-office success in Asian countries, primarily Japan.[2] As such, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba anime film series is the highest-grossing R-rated animated film franchise, earned more than $1 billion of box-office gross internationally; Infinity Castle became the highest-grossing R-rated animated film of all time ahead its release.[1] Chinese production Ne Zha and its sequel became the highest-grossing adult animated films.

Highest-grossing adult animated films

 indicates films playing in theaters around the world in the week commencing 19 December 2025.
Rank Title Country Technique Rating Worldwide gross Year Ref(s)
1 Ne Zha 2 China CGI PG-13 $2,215,690,000 2025 [3][4]
2 Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Japan Traditional R $787,200,000 2025 [5][6]
3 Ne Zha China CGI PG-13 $742,718,496 2019 [7][8]
4 The Simpsons Movie US Traditional PG-13 $536,414,270 2007 [9]
5 Demon Slayer: Mugen Train Japan Traditional R $512,704,063 2020 [10]
6 The Boy and the Heron Japan Traditional PG-13 $292,922,563 2023 [11]
7 The First Slam Dunk Japan CGI PG-13 $281,094,722 2023 [12]
8 One Piece Film: Red Japan Traditional PG-13 $245,270,000 2022 [13][14]
9 Beowulf US CGI PG-13 $196,393,745 2007 [15]
10 Jujutsu Kaisen 0 Japan Traditional PG-13 $195,870,885 2021 [16]
11 Weathering With You Japan Traditional PG-13 $193,186,879 2019 [17]
12 Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc Japan Traditional R $177,300,000 2025 [18][19]
13 Princess Mononoke Japan Traditional PG-13 $169,785,629 1997 [17]
14 Sausage Party US, Canada CGI R $140,705,322 2016 [20]
15 The Wind Rises Japan Traditional PG-13 $136,333,220 2013 [21]
16 Detective Conan: The Fist of Blue Sapphire Japan Traditional TV-14 $119,875,024 2019 [22][23]
17 One Piece: Stampede Japan Traditional TV-14 $94,684,223 2019 [24][25][26]
18 Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time Japan Traditional TV-MA $92,000,000 2021 [27]
19 Fritz the Cat US Traditional X (TV-MA)[28] $90,000,000 1972 [29]
20 Big Fish & Begonia China Traditional PG-13 $85,557,721 2016 [30]
21 Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within US, Japan CGI PG-13 $85,131,830 2001 [31]
22 One Piece Film: Z Japan Traditional TV-14 $85,119,728 2012 [32]
23 South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut US Traditional R $83,137,603 1999 [33]
24 Tales from Earthsea Japan Traditional PG-13 $75,500,000 2006 [34]
25 Isle of Dogs US, Germany Stop-motion PG-13 $72,988,064 2018 [35]

Highest-grossing adult animated films by animation type

Computer animation

Rank Title Country Rating Worldwide gross Year Ref(s)
1 Ne Zha 2 China PG-13 $2,215,690,000 2025 [3][4]
2 Ne Zha China TV-14 $742,718,496 2019 [7][8]
3 The First Slam Dunk Japan PG-13 $279,892,281 2023 [12]
4 Beowulf US PG-13 $196,393,745 2007 [15]
5 Sausage Party US, Canada R $140,705,322 2016 [20]
6 Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within Japan PG-13 $85,131,830 2001 [31]
7 9 US PG-13 $48,428,063 2009 [36]
8 Mahavatar Narsimha India TV-14 $43,959,751 2025 [37]
9 Waltz with Bashir Germany, France, Israel R $13,912,289 2008 [38]
10 Bilal: A New Breed of Hero United Arab Emirates PG-13 $3,830,832 2015 [39]

Traditional animation (Japanese)

 indicates films playing in theaters around the world in the week commencing 19 December 2025.
Rank Title Rating Worldwide gross Year Ref(s)
1 Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle R $787,200,000 2025 [5][6]
2 Demon Slayer: Mugen Train R $512,704,063 2020 [10]
3 The Boy and the Heron PG-13 $292,922,563 2023 [11]
4 One Piece Film: Red PG-13 $206,740,295 2022 [13]
5 Jujutsu Kaisen 0 PG-13 $195,870,885 2021 [16]
6 Weathering With You PG-13 $193,186,879 2019 [17]
8 Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc R $177,300,000 2025 [18][19]
7 Princess Mononoke PG-13 $169,785,629 1997 [17]
9 The Wind Rises PG-13 $136,333,220 2013 [21]
10 Detective Conan: The Fist of Blue Sapphire TV-14 $119,875,024 2019 [22][40]

Traditional animation (U.S and international)

Rank Title Country Rating Worldwide gross Year Ref(s)
1 The Simpsons Movie US PG-13 $536,414,270 2007 [9]
2 Fritz the Cat US X $90,000,000 1972 [29]
3 Big Fish & Begonia China PG-13 $85,557,721 2016 [41]
4 South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut US R $83,137,603 1999 [33]
5 Beavis and Butt-Head Do America US PG-13 $63,118,386 1996 [42]
6 Loving Vincent Poland, UK PG-13 $44,077,249 2017 [43][44]
7 The Bob's Burgers Movie US PG-13 $34,148,750 2022 [45]
8 Persepolis France, Iran PG-13 $25,397,187 2007 [46]
9 Eight Crazy Nights US PG-13 $23,833,131 2002 [47]
10 Heavy Metal US, Canada R $20,063,636 1981 [48][49]

Stop-motion animation

Rank Title Country Rating Worldwide gross Year Ref(s)
1 Isle of Dogs US, Germany PG-13 $72,988,064 2018 [35]
2 My Life as a Zucchini Switzerland, France PG-13 $10,245,743 2016 [50]
3 Memoir of a Snail Australia R $7,643,123 2024 [51]
4 Anomalisa US R $5,706,168 2015 [52]
5 Mary and Max Australia TV-MA $1,740,791 2009 [53]
6 $9.99 Australia R $708,354 2008 [54]
7 Mad God US Unrated $329,009 2021 [55]
8 Hell and Back US R $157,768 2015 [56]

Highest-grossing adult animated films by rating

PG-13 or equivalent rating

Rank Title Country Worldwide gross Year Ref(s)
1 Ne Zha 2 China $2,215,690,000 2025 [3][4]
2 Ne Zha China $742,718,496 2019 [7][8]
3 The Simpsons Movie US $536,414,270 2007 [9]
4 The Boy and the Heron Japan $292,922,563 2023 [11]
5 The First Slam Dunk Japan $281,094,722 2023 [12]
6 One Piece Film: Red Japan $206,740,295 2022 [13]
7 Beowulf US $196,393,745 2007 [15]
8 Jujutsu Kaisen 0 Japan $195,870,885 2021 [16]
9 Weathering With You Japan $193,186,879 2019 [17]
10 Princess Mononoke Japan $169,785,629 1997 [17]

R or equivalent rating

Rank Title Country Worldwide gross Year Ref(s)
1 Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Japan $787,200,000 2025 [5][6]
2 Demon Slayer: Mugen Train Japan $512,704,063 2020 [10]
3 Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc Japan $177,300,000 2025 [18][19]
4 Sausage Party US, Canada $140,705,322 2016 [20]
5 Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time Japan $92,000,000 2021 [27]
6 Fritz the Cat US $90,000,000 1972 [29]
7 South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut US $83,137,603 1999 [33]
8 Demon Slayer: To the Swordsmith Village Japan $59,554,259 2023 [57][58]
9 Demon Slayer: To the Hashira Training Japan $50,439,672 2024 [59][60]
10 Akira Japan $49,000,000 1988 [61]

Highest-grossing adult animated films by year

 indicates films playing in theaters around the world in the week commencing 19 December 2025.
Year Title Rating Worldwide gross Ref.
1969 A Thousand and One Nights X $2,611,318 [62]
1970 Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
1971 Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
1972 Fritz the Cat X $90,000,000 [63]
1973 Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
1974 The Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat R $3,000,000 [64]
1975 Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
1976 Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
1977 Wizards TV-14 $9,000,000
1978 The Mystery of Mamo PG-13 $8,233,896 [65]
1979 Galaxy Express 999 TV-14 ¥4.2 billion (~$27,000,000) [66]
1980 Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
1981 Heavy Metal R $20,063,636 [48][49]
1982 Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
1983 Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
1984 Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
1985 Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
1986 Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
1987 Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
1988 Akira R $49,000,000 [61]
1989 Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
1990 Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
1991 Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
1992 Bebe's Kids PG-13 $8,442,162 [67]
1993 Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
1994 Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
1995 Ghost in the Shell R $2,287,714 [68]
1996 Beavis and Butt-Head Do America PG-13 $63,118,386 [42]
1997 Princess Mononoke PG-13 $169,785,629 [17]
1998 Spriggan R $3,149,387 [69]
1999 South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut R $83,137,603 [33]
2000 Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust R $151,086 [70]
2001 Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within PG-13 $85,131,830 [31]
2002 Eight Crazy Nights PG-13 $23,833,131 [47]
2003 The Triplets of Belleville PG-13 $14,776,760 [71]
2004 Steamboy PG-13 $18,900,000 [72]
2005 Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa PG-13 $11,000,000 [73]
2006 Tales from Earthsea PG-13 $75,500,000 [34]
2007 The Simpsons Movie PG-13 $536,414,270 [9]
2008 Waltz with Bashir R $13,912,289 [38]
2009 9 PG-13 $48,428,063 [36]
2010 Bleach: Hell Verse TV-14 $5,500,000 [74]
2011 Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos TV-MA $7,579,282 [75]
2012 One Piece Film: Z TV-14 $85,119,728 [32]
2013 The Wind Rises PG-13 $136,333,220 [21]
2014 Detective Conan: Dimensional Sniper PG-13 $37,200,000 [76]
2015 Detective Conan: Sunflowers of Inferno PG-13 $60,985,674 [77]
2016 Sausage Party R $140,705,322 [20]
2017 Detective Conan: Crimson Love Letter PG-13 $63,147,576 [78]
2018 Detective Conan: Zero the Enforcer PG-13 $108,105,223 [79]
2019 Ne Zha TV-14 $742,718,496 [7][8]
2020 Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train R $512,704,063 [10]
2021 Jujutsu Kaisen 0 PG-13 $195,870,885 [27]
2022 The First Slam Dunk PG-13 $279,892,281 [12]
2023 The Boy and the Heron PG-13 $292,922,563 [11]
2024 Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Hashira Training R $50,439,672 [59][60]
2025 Ne Zha 2 PG-13 $2,215,690,000 [3][4]

Highest-grossing adult animated films by timeline

At least four traditional animations and two computer animations held the records of the highest at any year:

Title Established Rating Record-setting gross Ref.
A Thousand and One Nights 1969 X $2,601,662 [80]
Fritz the Cat 1972 $90,000,000 [63]
Princess Mononoke 1997 PG-13 $169,785,629 [17]
The Simpsons Movie 2007 $536,414,270 [9]
Ne Zha 2019 TV-14 $742,718,496 [7][8]
Ne Zha 2 2025 PG-13 $2,215,690,000 [3][4]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Alt, Matt (June 18, 2021). ""Demon Slayer": The Viral Blockbuster from Japan". The New Yorker. Archived from the original on June 19, 2021. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  2. ^ Lang, Jamie (2022-11-04). ""It's Time That People Really Start Taking This Seriously": Anime Is Booming At The U.S. Box Office". Cartoon Brew. Retrieved 2023-07-04.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Daily Box Office > China". Entgroup. Retrieved August 16, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Analysis: Why 'Ne Zha 2' Wasn't a Global Smash". Caixin. Apr 10, 2025. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
  5. ^ a b c "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
  6. ^ a b c "Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Infinity Castle (2025)". The Numbers. 2025-09-14.
  7. ^ a b c d e "Ne Zha (哪吒之魔童降世) (2019) - Box Office and Financial Information". The Numbers. Retrieved 2025-11-10.
  8. ^ a b c d e "Ne Zha". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2025-11-10.
  9. ^ a b c d e "The Simpsons Movie". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  10. ^ a b c d "Kimetsu no Yaiba: Mugen Ressha-Hen (2020) - Financial Information". The Numbers. Retrieved 2025-09-21.
  11. ^ a b c d "The Boy and the Heron". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2024-03-22.
  12. ^ a b c d "Eiga Slam Dunk (2022) - Financial Information". The Numbers. Retrieved 2023-07-01.
  13. ^ a b c "One Piece Film: Red". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2022-12-18.
  14. ^ Harding, Daryl. "One Piece Film Red Ends Its Run as the 4th Highest Grossing Anime Film of All Time Worldwide". Crunchyroll. Retrieved 2023-02-04.
  15. ^ a b c "Beowulf". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2021-06-29.
  16. ^ a b c LLC., Nash Information Services (April 8, 2022). ""Jujutsu Kaisen 0: The Movie (2021)"".
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h "Spirited Away, 3 Other Ghibli Films' Box Office Totals Rose Due to This Year's Revival Screenings". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  18. ^ a b c "Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc (2025)". The Numbers. 19 October 2025.
  19. ^ a b c "Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
  20. ^ a b c d "Sausage Party". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  21. ^ a b c "The Wind Rises (2013)". IMDb. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  22. ^ a b "Rankings". Comscore, Inc. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  23. ^ "Meitantei Conan: Konjo no Fisuto (2019) - Financial Information". The Numbers. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  24. ^ "『ONEPIECE』完結まで「あと5年」カウントダウンはじまる 編集担当を直撃". ORICON NEWS. 14 November 2019. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  25. ^ Harding, Daryl. "One Piece: Stampede Anime Film Celebrates 10 Billion Yen in Worldwide Box Office Takings". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on 2022-01-08. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  26. ^ "One Piece: Stampede". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  27. ^ a b c "Final Evangelion Film Ends Run in Most Theaters With 6.69 Million Tickets Sold". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
  28. ^ Fritz the Cat (1972) - Parents guide - IMDb. Retrieved 2025-11-12 – via www.imdb.com.
  29. ^ a b c "Ralph Bakshi". The A.V. Club. 6 December 2000. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  30. ^ "Dà Yú Hǎi Táng (2016) - Financial Information". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  31. ^ a b c "Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2021-06-29.
  32. ^ a b "歴代ランキング - CINEMAランキング通信". www.kogyotsushin.com. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  33. ^ a b c d "South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  34. ^ a b "Spirited Away, 3 Other Ghibli Films' Box Office Totals Rose Due to This Year's Revival Screenings". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2021-06-29.
  35. ^ a b "Isle of Dogs". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  36. ^ a b "9". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2021-06-29.
  37. ^ "Mahavatar Narsimha Box Office Collection". Sacnilk. 2025-08-06. Retrieved 2025-08-06.
  38. ^ a b "Waltz with Bashir (2008) - Financial Information". The Numbers. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  39. ^ "Bilal". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
  40. ^ "Meitantei Conan: Konjo no Fisuto (2019) - Financial Information". The Numbers. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  41. ^ "Dà Yú Hǎi Táng (2016) - Financial Information". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  42. ^ a b "Beavis and Butt-Head Do America". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  43. ^ "Loving Vincent (2017) - Financial Information". The Numbers. Retrieved 2021-06-29.
  44. ^ "How Two Directors, 125 Artists, and Some 'Crazy-Rich' Van Gogh Fans Made 'Loving Vincent' the World's First Painted Feature Film". Artnet News. 2017-09-22. Retrieved 2021-07-02.
  45. ^ "The Bob's Burgers Movie".
  46. ^ "Persepolis (2007) - Financial Information". The Numbers. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  47. ^ a b "Eight Crazy Nights". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  48. ^ a b "Heavy Metal (1981) - Financial Information". The Numbers. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  49. ^ a b "Heavy Metal". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  50. ^ "Ma vie de Courgette (2016) - Financial Information". The Numbers. Retrieved 2021-07-02.
  51. ^ "Memoir of a Snail". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
  52. ^ "Anomalisa (2016) - Financial Information". The Numbers. Retrieved 2021-07-02.
  53. ^ "Mary and Max". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
  54. ^ "$9.99". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2021-07-02.
  55. ^ "Verifying". www.the-numbers.com. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
  56. ^ "Hell and Back". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2021-07-03.
  57. ^ "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Swordsmith Village (2023)". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  58. ^ "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Swordsmith Village (2023)". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  59. ^ a b "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Hashira Training (2024)". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  60. ^ a b "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Hashira Training (2024)". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  61. ^ a b Dart_Adams (2019-12-24). "Tetsuo & Adulthood: The Influence Of "Akira" 30 Years Later". Medium. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  62. ^ Tsuken "Osamu Tezuka as an Anime Writer". p. 159.
  63. ^ a b "Fritz the Cat (1972) | UC Berkeley Library". www.lib.berkeley.edu. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  64. ^ Donahue, Suzanne Mary (1987). American film distribution : the changing marketplace. Internet Archive. Ann Arbor, Mich. : UMI Research Press. ISBN 978-0-8357-1776-2.
  65. ^ キネマ旬報ベスト・テン全史1946-1996. Kinema Junpo. 1997. p. 224.
  66. ^ "Statistics Of Film Industry In Japan". Eiren. Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
  67. ^ "Bebe's Kids". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2021-07-02.
  68. ^ "KÔKAKU KIDÔTAI (1996)". www.jpbox-office.com. JPBox-Office. Retrieved 2021-07-01.
  69. ^ Komatsu, Mikikazu. "Sci-Fi Action Manga Spriggan Gets New Anime Adaptation on Netflix". Crunchyroll (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2019-03-31. Retrieved 2021-07-01.
  70. ^ "Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2021-07-02.
  71. ^ "The Triplets of Belleville". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  72. ^ "Steamboy". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  73. ^ "Japanese Box Office: Top 10 Anime Movies of 2007". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2021-07-01.
  74. ^ "2012年2月下旬決算特別号 206頁". Kinema Junpo. 2012. pp. Kinema Junposha: 206.
  75. ^ "Top Anime Movies at Japanese Box Office: 2011". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2021-07-01.
  76. ^ "全24作順番!名探偵コナン劇場版シリーズ映画興行収入ランキングや評価一覧". 映画評価ピクシーン (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  77. ^ "Meitantei Conan: Goka no himawari (2015) - Financial Information". The Numbers. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  78. ^ "Detective Conan: Crimson Love Letter". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  79. ^ "Meitantei Conan: Zero no Shikkônin (2018) - Financial Information". The Numbers. Retrieved 2021-06-29.
  80. ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (2021-06-06). "Reign Of Horror: 'Conjuring 3' Leads Weekend As Global Cume Hits $57M; 'Quiet Place 2' Grows To $139M WW – International Box Office". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 2021-07-03. And, we are hearing that Demon Slayer – Kimetsu No Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train has indeed passed the $500M global mark, but are still waiting on those pesky official figures to attribute a precise number.