RANKED: The 10 highest-grossing animated movies of all time

DreamWorks

Feature-length animated films have evolved not only in technology and execution, but in popularity.

Since the 1990s, we've seen an explosion of animated blockbusters that take top slots at the year's box office, from "Toy Story 3" to "Frozen." One big example of that is an all-time great that's celebrating its birthday.

DreamWorks' "Shrek," which turns 15 this week, proved that animated movies didn't have to play by the Disney rules of catering to just kids to be a box-office hit.

Mike Myers voiced the grumpy ogre, Shrek, who has to rescue a princess (Cameron Diaz) to get his swamp back. Costarring Eddie Murphy as his annoying sidekick donkey (named Donkey), the movie became a worldwide hit and led to a cash cow of a franchise (as you're about to see).

With "Shrek" celebrating its 15th anniversary, here we look back on the 10 highest-grossing animated movies in the US of all time.

Note: Box-office figures in the titles are adjusted for inflation, while original box-office numbers are below. Figures provided by BoxOfficeMojo.

10. “Shrek the Third” (2007) $408 million — adjusted gross

Unadjusted: $322.7 million

Grumpy Shrek is heir to the kingdom and he's not happy about it. He sets a plan in hopes that his nephew Artie (Justin Timberlake) will be the new king.

9. “Shrek” (2001) $411.4 million

Unadjusted: $267.6 million

In the movie that kicked it all off, Mike Myers provides a Scottish accent and a lot of sarcasm to bring to life one of the most memorable animated characters. The cherry on top is Eddie Murphy voicing Shrek's sidekick, Donkey, perfect in the role. 

8. “Toy Story 2” (1999) $416.1 million

Unadjusted: $246 million

After Woody (Tom Hanks) is stolen by a toy collector, Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) and the gang have to come up with a way to save him before he's shipped off to Japan.