Universal and DreamWorks Animation’s latest venture, *The Wild Robot*, directed by Chris Sanders, has made a remarkable impact on the global box office, surpassing $300 million in revenue. As of Friday, the film has amassed $300.5 million worldwide, a significant achievement for an animated feature that also garnered critical acclaim. With $134.4 million from domestic audiences and an impressive $166.1 million internationally, *The Wild Robot* is carving out a notable position in this year’s animated film landscape.
In terms of its box office ranking, *The Wild Robot* stands tall as the second highest non-sequel studio film of 2024, only trailing *It Ends with Us*. It also holds the title of the leading non-sequel Hollywood animated film for the year. Globally, it ranks as the fourth biggest animated studio movie of 2024, falling behind heavyweights such as *Inside Out 2*, *Despicable Me 4*, and *Kung Fu Panda 4*. These rankings highlight the film’s strong market performance and its resonance with audiences of all ages.
The film premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in September and has benefitted from a strategic staggered release overseas. Several international markets have seen the film thrive, capitalizing on school holidays to draw in family audiences. *The Wild Robot* has not only resonated with younger viewers but has also captured the hearts of critics, further solidifying its status as a “critical darling.” This positive reception has undoubtedly contributed to the film’s strong box office legs.
Particularly impressive is the film’s performance in Mexico, where it has outpaced lifetime totals of other animated heavyweights like *Elemental*, *Frozen*, and *Zootopia*. With $19.5 million, Mexico leads as the top overseas market for the film. Following closely are the UK at $16.5 million, France at $12.1 million, and Australia at $11 million. The consistency in these figures, particularly during festive periods, speaks volumes about the film’s widespread appeal across different cultures and demographics.
While *The Wild Robot* has already achieved remarkable milestones, there’s still room for growth—particularly with its scheduled release in Japan on February 7, 2025. This additional market could significantly boost its international takings, potentially allowing it to climb further within the ranks of animated box office success. The strategic distribution and marketing efforts appear to be paying off significantly, which bodes well for the film’s ongoing journey in theaters.
The significance of *The Wild Robot* extends beyond just its box office numbers. It is the 14th studio film to cross the $300 million mark in 2024 and stands as the 10th largest Hollywood animated movie since the pandemic began. As it continues to perform well globally, *The Wild Robot* reinforces the idea that original animated features can thrive amid a crowded marketplace filled with sequels and franchises. With all these factors combined, it seems that *The Wild Robot* isn’t just a passing trend; rather, it’s setting a precedent for future animated films striving for both critical acclaim and commercial success.