Finding Dory (2016) – $486.3M

Thanks to the success of Toy Story 3, Pixar began a trend of alternating original films with sequels/prequels for much of their beloved filmography. Though both Cars 2 and Monsters University were relative hits, it was Pixar’s Finding Dory that finally matched the same kind of expectations set by Toy Story 3. The film set new bars for animated films with its $135.1 million opening, $486.3 million domestic gross, and $1 billion worldwide take. Its place at the top of animated films would be short-lived however, as Pixar would end up continuing to best itself with another long-awaited sequel.