Universal/DreamWorks Animation’s latest venture, The Wild Robot, has reached a remarkable milestone, surpassing the $300 million mark in global box office sales, with a cumulative total of $300.5 million as of Friday. Directed by Chris Sanders, this animated feature has garnered critical acclaim, establishing itself not only as a commercial success but also as a beloved entry in the realm of animated films. With domestic earnings of $134.4 million and international revenues amounting to $166.1 million, The Wild Robot stands as the second highest-grossing non-sequel studio film of 2024, following It Ends with Us.
The Wild Robot’s performance has propelled it to the forefront of Hollywood animated films; it currently holds the title of the highest-grossing non-sequel animated film of the year. Securing the fourth position among animated studio releases globally—behind heavyweights like Inside Out 2, Despicable Me 4, and Kung Fu Panda 4—the film has showcased the potential for original stories to thrive amidst a landscape dominated by sequels and franchises. This accomplishment is particularly noteworthy given the challenges facing animated features in the competitive box office arena.
Since its premiere at the prestigious Toronto Film Festival in September, The Wild Robot has enjoyed a staggered international release, successfully maintaining momentum through key school holidays in various territories. A significant achievement occurred last weekend when the film outperformed previous animated titles like The Bad Guys in lifetime offshore box office earnings. Notably, Mexico has emerged as a standout market, with The Wild Robot eclipsing the lifetime grosses of other beloved animated features such as Elemental and the Frozen franchise, amassing $19.5 million to date.
The international box office reflects a broad appeal, with substantial contributions from several key markets: the UK ($16.5 million), France ($12.1 million), and Australia ($11 million) among the top contenders. Other notable regions include Spain ($9.5 million), China ($7.3 million), Germany ($7 million), Italy ($6.5 million), Saudi Arabia ($4.8 million), and Korea ($4.5 million). Such diverse market performance underscores the universal themes and emotional resonance of The Wild Robot, resonating with audiences around the globe.
In 2024, The Wild Robot becomes the 14th studio film to cross the $300 million threshold, testament to the resilience of the animated genre as the industry navigates the post-pandemic landscape. It ranks as the tenth largest Hollywood animated movie since the pandemic began and the third highest-grossing non-sequel Hollywood animated title during this period, surpassed only by The Super Mario Bros. movie. This success not only highlights the strength of original content in animations but also suggests a promising avenue for studios to explore unique narratives without relying on established franchises.
As audiences continue to flock to theaters, The Wild Robot stands as a beacon of hope for original animated storytelling, potentially paving the way for future endeavors in this genre.
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