One Animation Studio Dominates Netflix Top 10 Global Chart With 4 Movies Occupying Top Spots
As in the case with most Hollywood projects, there are a couple of dominant names within the animation industry. For years, Disney was the single studio that was the face of animation in Hollywood. The company has been releasing animated features in theaters since 1937 when they premiered Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The studio continued to make hits, many of which were nominated for major awards. The animation landscape changed when DreamWorks was created in the '90s. Their first movie, The Prince of Egypt, was critically acclaimed upon its 1998 release.
DreamWorks would go on to release Shrek, which rivals Disney Pixar's Toy Story movies as one of the biggest animated series of all time. Disney and DreamWorks still dominate the box office today, with both studios producing high-grossing films in 2024. Over the last two decades, however, the animated landscape has continued to shift as studios like Blue Sky Studios, Laika, and Aardman rose to greater prominence. One non-Disney studio has produced some huge hits in recent years, and several of its films are doing well on streaming.
Illumination Is Dominating The Netflix Charts
Four Of Their Films Are On The Netflix Charts
Four Illumination films have managed to chart on Netflix this week. Illumination (formerly Illumination Entertainment) was founded in 2007 by Chris Meledandri and released its first feature film, Despicable Me, in 2010. The animated movie evolved into one of the biggest franchises of all time, spawning three direct sequels as well as two Minion spinoff movies. Though Illumination has only produced 15 feature films, its box office track record has proven that the studio is a formidable competition to the likes of Disney and DreamWorks.
Showing its dominance once again, Illuminationis dominating the Netflix global charts this week. The no. 1 English-language movie, garnering 15 million views, was the Illumination sequel, The Secret Life of Pets 2. The first Secret Life of Pets movie made it to the no. 4 slot, while two more Illumination movies, Despicable Me 2 and Despicable Me, made it to no. 5 and no. 7, respectively.
Our Take On Illumination's Netflix Success
The Despicable Me Movies Are Leaving Soon
The Illumination's Netflix success should come as no surprise based on recent trends. Despicable Me 4 was a box office hit last year, and both franchise films are leaving Netflix on February 1. Time frame limits will often lead viewers to watch films again, as they will be lumped in a "leaving soon" category that propels audiences to watch them. The fact that The Secret Life of Pets movies were even more successful than Despicable Me, however, shows just how far Illumination has come as a studio outside just their main franchise.
Source: Netflix
- Created by
- Sergio Pablos
- First Film
- Despicable Me
- Latest Film
- Despicable Me 4
- Cast
- Steve Carell, Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud, Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier, Elsie Fisher, Russell Brand
- Movie(s)
- Despicable Me 2, Despicable Me 3, Despicable Me 4, Despicable Me, Minions, Minions: The Rise of Gru, Minions 3
- Upcoming Films
- Minions 3
Gru, a villain with ambitions to steal the moon, adopts three orphaned girls to aid his scheme. Unexpectedly, he finds himself growing attached to them, which complicates his plans. As Gru grapples with newfound fatherhood and his villainous aspirations, he discovers that love and family can change even the most hardened hearts.
The Secret Life of Pets
- Created by
- Cinco Paul, Ken Daurio, Brian Lynch
- First Film
- The Secret Life of Pets
- Latest Film
- The Secret Life of Pets 2
- Cast
- Louis C.K., Patton Oswalt, Eric Stonestreet, Kevin Hart, Jenny Slate, Ellie Kemper, Lake Bell, Dana Carvey, Hannibal Buress, Bobby Moynihan, Harrison Ford
- Movie(s)
- The Secret Life of Pets, The Secret Life of Pets 2
- Character(s)
- Max, Duke, Snowball, Gidget, Chloe, Buddy, Mel, Pops
The Secret Life of Pets is an animated comedy franchise produced by Illumination Entertainment. The series explores what pets do when their owners are away, focusing on the adventures of a group of domesticated animals in New York City. The franchise is known for its humor, heartwarming moments, and its depiction of the secret lives and personalities of pets. The films have been commercially successful, appealing to both children and adults with their charming characters and relatable scenarios.
