Given its photorealistic visuals, you can't blame some folks considering Disney's recent remake of
The Lion King to be a live-action adaptation. However, technically it isn't. It's wholly animated and is therefore considered to be an animated movie instead.
With that distinction clear,
The Lion King has now become the highest-grossing animated movie of all time (via
CNET). Previously, this record was held by 2013's
Frozen. That animated tale (which is set to get a sequel in November) made $1.28 billion globally and $400.73m domestically.
As of now,
The Lion King remake has earned $1.33 billion worldwide and $473.10 million domestically. It's the sixth film of Disney's to cross the impressive mark of $1 billion at the box office — the other five being:
Captain Marvel,
Avengers: Endgame,
Aladdin, and
Spider-Man: Far From Home.
We'll just have to wait until
Frozen 2 arrives in November to see if that franchise can steal back the title.
Director Jon Favreau’s all-new “The Lion King” journeys to the African savanna where a future king is born. Simba idolizes his father, King Mufasa, and takes to heart his own royal destiny. But not everyone in the kingdom celebrates the new cub’s arrival. Scar, Mufasa’s brother—and former heir to the throne—has plans of his own. The battle for Pride Rock is ravaged with betrayal, tragedy and drama, ultimately resulting in Simba’s exile. With help from a curious pair of newfound friends, Simba will have to figure out how to grow up and take back what is rightfully his. The all-star cast includes Donald Glover as Simba, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala, James Earl Jones as Mufasa, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar, Seth Rogen as Pumbaa and Billy Eichner as Timon.