History AndYouThoughtItWouldFail / AnimatedFilm

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSuperMarioBrosMovie'': After the failure of the [[Film/SuperMarioBros1993 1993 film]] that notoriously created the curse of [[VideoGameMoviesSuck video game movies being bad]], Nintendo had shied away from any and all film adaptations of their properties, save for ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}''. In 2018, Nintendo had announced it was working with Creator/IlluminationEntertainment to produce an animated film based on the ''Mario'' series. Given Illumination's divisiveness in the animation industry, many had already felt unsure of this decision. It was also directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, who are well-known for ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitansGo'', another divisive animation property. When the cast was revealed years later, [[TaintedByThePreview much criticism and concern over the choices]], including Creator/ChrisPratt as Mario, had arose. When footage was finally shown in 2022, some but not all concerns were alleviated. Upon the film's release in 2023, despite many critics not recommending the film, Nintendo and Illumination's joint production became openly embraced by longtime ''Mario'' fans and children alike, making more than $300 million in its opening weekend. And following that, it has become not only the highest grossing movie based on a video game, but also the first to hit $1 billion worldwide and the highest-grossing animated film made by a company other than Disney, all within a month of release.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSuperMarioBrosMovie'': After the failure of the [[Film/SuperMarioBros1993 1993 film]] that notoriously created the curse of video game movies being bad, Nintendo had shied away from any and all film adaptations of their properties, save for ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}''. In 2018, Nintendo had announced it was working with Creator/IlluminationEntertainment to produce an animated film based on the ''Mario'' series. Given Illumination's divisiveness in the animation industry, many had already felt unsure of this decision. It was also directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, who are well-known for ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitansGo'', another divisive animation property. When the cast was revealed years later, [[TaintedByThePreview much criticism and concern over the choices]], including Creator/ChrisPratt as Mario, had arose. When footage was finally shown in 2022, some but not all concerns were alleviated. Upon the film's release in 2023, despite many critics not recommending the film, Nintendo and Illumination's joint production became openly embraced by longtime ''Mario'' fans and children alike, making more than $300 million in its opening weekend. And following that, it has become not only the highest grossing movie based on a video game, but also the first to hit $1 billion worldwide and the highest-grossing animated film made by a company other than Disney, all within a month of release.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSuperMarioBrosMovie'': After the failure of the [[Film/SuperMarioBros1993 1993 film]] that notoriously created the curse of video game movies being bad, Nintendo had shied away from any and all film adaptations of their properties, save for ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}''. In 2018, Nintendo had announced it was working with Creator/IlluminationEntertainment to produce an animated film based on the ''Mario'' series. Given Illumination's divisiveness in the animation industry, many had already felt unsure of this decision. It was also directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, who are well-known for ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitansGo'', another divisive animation property. When the cast was revealed years later, [[TaintedByThePreview much criticism and concern over the choices]], including Creator/ChrisPratt as Mario, had arose. When footage was finally shown in 2022, some but not all concerns were alleviated. Upon the film's release in 2023, despite many critics not recommending the film, Nintendo and Illumination's joint production became openly embraced by longtime ''Mario'' fans and children alike, making more than $300 million in its opening weekend. And following that, it has become not only the highest grossing movie based on a video game, but also the first to hit $1 billion worldwide, all within a month of release.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSuperMarioBrosMovie'': After the failure of the [[Film/SuperMarioBros1993 1993 film]] that notoriously created the curse of video game movies being bad, Nintendo had shied away from any and all film adaptations of their properties, save for ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}''. In 2018, Nintendo had announced it was working with Creator/IlluminationEntertainment to produce an animated film based on the ''Mario'' series. Given Illumination's divisiveness in the animation industry, many had already felt unsure of this decision. It was also directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, who are well-known for ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitansGo'', another divisive animation property. When the cast was revealed years later, [[TaintedByThePreview much criticism and concern over the choices]], including Creator/ChrisPratt as Mario, had arose. When footage was finally shown in 2022, some but not all concerns were alleviated. Upon the film's release in 2023, despite many critics not recommending the film, Nintendo and Illumination's joint production became openly embraced by longtime ''Mario'' fans and children alike, making more than $300 million in its opening weekend. And following that, it has become not only the highest grossing movie based on a video game, but the first to hit $1 billion worldwide, all within a month of release.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSuperMarioBrosMovie'': After the failure of the [[Film/SuperMarioBros1993 1993 film]] that notoriously created the curse of video game movies being bad, Nintendo had shied away from any and all film adaptations of their properties, save for ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}''. In 2018, Nintendo had announced it was working with Creator/IlluminationEntertainment to produce an animated film based on the ''Mario'' series. Given Illumination's divisiveness in the animation industry, many had already felt unsure of this decision. It was also directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, who are well-known for ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitansGo'', another divisive animation property. When the cast was revealed years later, [[TaintedByThePreview much criticism and concern over the choices]], including Creator/ChrisPratt as Mario, had arose. When footage was finally shown in 2022, some but not all concerns were alleviated. Upon the film's release in 2023, despite many critics not recommending the film, Nintendo and Illumination's joint production became openly embraced by longtime ''Mario'' fans and children alike, making more than $300 million in its opening weekend.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSuperMarioBrosMovie'': After the failure of the [[Film/SuperMarioBros1993 1993 film]] that notoriously created the curse of video game movies being bad, Nintendo had shied away from any and all film adaptations of their properties, save for ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}''. In 2018, Nintendo had announced it was working with Creator/IlluminationEntertainment to produce an animated film based on the Mario series. Given Illumination's divisiveness in the animation industry, many had already felt unsure of this decision. It was also directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, who are well-known for ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitansGo'', another divisive animation property. When the cast was revealed years later, [[TaintedByThePreview much criticism and concern over the choices]], including Creator/ChrisPratt as Mario, had arose. When footage was finally shown in 2022, some but not all concerns were alleviated. Upon the film's release in 2023, despite many critics not recommending the film, Nintendo and Illumination's joint production became openly embraced by longtime Mario fans and children alike, making more than $300 million in its opening weekend.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSuperMarioBrosMovie'': After the failure of the [[Film/SuperMarioBros1993 1993 film]] that notoriously created the curse of video game movies being bad, Nintendo had shied away from any and all film adaptations of their properties, save for ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}''. In 2018, Nintendo had announced it was working with Creator/IlluminationEntertainment to produce an animated film based on the Mario series. Given Illumination's divisiveness in the animation industry, many had already felt unsure of this decision. It was also directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, who are well-known for ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitansGo'', another divisive pop culture show. When the cast was revealed years later, [[TaintedByThePreview much criticism and concern over the choices]], including Creator/ChrisPratt as Mario, had arose. When footage was finally shown in 2022, some but not all concerns were alleviated. Upon the film's release in 2023, despite many critics not recommending the film, Nintendo and Illumination's joint production became openly embraced by longtime Mario fans and children alike, making more than $300 million in its opening weekend.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSuperMarioBrosMovie'': After the failure of the [[Film/SuperMarioBros1993 1993 film]] that notoriously created the curse of video game movies being bad, Nintendo had shied away from any and all film adaptations of their properties, save for ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}''. In 2018, Nintendo had announced it was working with Creator/IlluminationEntertainment to produce an animated film based on the Mario series. Given Illumination's divisiveness in the animation industry, many had already felt unsure of this decision. It was also directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, who are well known for ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitansGo'', another divisive pop culture show. When the cast was revealed years later, [[TaintedByThePreview much criticism and concern over the choices]], including Creator/ChrisPratt as Mario, had arose. When footage was finally shown in 2022, some but not all concerns were alleviated. Upon the film's release in 2023, despite many critics not recommending the film, Nintendo and Illumination's joint production became openly embraced by longtime Mario fans and children alike, making more than $300 million in its opening weekend.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSuperMarioBrosMovie'': After the failure of the [[Film/SuperMarioBros1993 1993 film]] that notoriously created the curse of video game movies being bad, Nintendo had shied away from any and all film adaptations of their properties, save for ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}''. In 2018, Nintendo had announced it was working with Creator/IlluminationEntertainment to produce an animated film based on the Mario series. Given Illumination's divisiveness in the animation industry, many had already felt unsure of this decision. When the cast was revealed years later, [[TaintedByThePreview much criticism and concern over the choices]], including Creator/ChrisPratt as Mario, had arose. When footage was finally shown in 2022, some but not all concerns were alleviated. Upon the film's release in 2023, despite many critics not recommending the film, Nintendo and Illumination's joint production became openly embraced by longtime Mario fans and children alike, making more than $300 million in its opening weekend.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSuperMarioBrosMovie'': After the failure of the [[Film/SuperMarioBros1993 1993 film]] that notoriously created the curse of video game movies being bad, Nintendo had shied away from any and all film adaptations of their properties, save for ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}''. In 2018, Nintendo had announced it was working with Creator/IlluminationEntertainment to produce an animated film based on the Mario series. Given Illumination's divisiveness in the animation industry, many had already felt unsure of this decision. When the cast was revealed years later, [[TaintedByThePreview much criticism and concern over the choices]], including Creator/ChrisPratt as Mario. When footage was finally shown in 2022, some but not all concerns were alleviated. Upon the film's release in 2023, despite many critics deriding the film, Nintendo and Illumination's joint production became openly embraced by longtime Mario fans and children alike, making more than $300 million in its opening weekend.

[[folder: Disney]]
* Creator/WaltDisney is the all-time master of this trope.
** Nobody but Walt expected ''WesternAnimation/FlowersAndTrees'', a cartoon in full color, to get people flocking to it. The short film was originally black & white; Walt had it completely redone despite the financial risk involved.
** Animation was considered a medium inferior to live-action, and destined to remain seven-minute-long curtain raisers to feature films. That is, until Walt Disney decided to make ''WesternAnimation/SnowWhiteAndTheSevenDwarfs'', the first feature-length animated movie by a major American studio. It was labeled "Disney's Folly" by film industry insiders at the time, a project destined to send Disney into bankruptcy. At its premiere, ''Snow White'' proved to be an amazing picture, and the worldwide highest-grossing sound film until ''Film/GoneWithTheWind''. Since then, it has become the subject of much strife for being the comparison point for all other animated features (Walt himself fell victim to that).
** After the box-office wipeout of ''WesternAnimation/{{Fantasia}}'' and the further financial strains of UsefulNotes/WorldWarII on his studio, returning to full-length animation was a gamble; on the other hand, branching out into non-cartoon movies and even ''documentaries'' (!) was (in the eyes of critics in the late 40s) absolutely impossible for Walt. ''WesternAnimation/{{Cinderella}}'', ''Film/{{Treasure Island|1950}}'' and ''Film/TheLivingDesert'' (1953) proved the naysayers wrong, again.
** In a case that extended to within Disney, two projects started concurrently, ''WesternAnimation/{{Pocahontas}}'' and ''King of the Jungle'', something about lions in Africa. Most of the animators picked the former feeling it would be the high-profile movie, leading the latter to have only newcomers or people with an interest in animating animals. Even the writing staff felt insecure about the project during non-stop rewrites. The resulting film, ''WesternAnimation/{{The Lion King|1994}}'', is the highest-grossing traditional animation ever and widely regarded as the apex of the Disney Renaissance.
** In 2002, Disney, specifically CEO Michael Eisner, found itself doubting {{Creator/Pixar}} could keep the big hits coming in 2003 with ''WesternAnimation/FindingNemo''. When that became Pixar's biggest hit yet, Eisner found himself in an impossible position trying to renew Disney's contract with the studio with Creator/SteveJobs, who personally loathed Eisner, in a position to demand all but a blank check lest Pixar goes with any of Disney's competitors eager to hook up with it.
** ''WesternAnimation/TurningRed:'' Vocal pre-release internet critics thought the film's 3DCG {{Animesque}} art direction, and ComingOfAgeStory through the lens of a young millennial [[MinorityShowGhetto Chinese-Canadian]] girl was [[GirlShowGhetto too niche]] and out of tone with Creator/{{Pixar}}'s other films. Additionally, like Pixar's [[WesternAnimation/{{Soul}} last]] [[WesternAnimation/{{Luca}} two]] films (both of which came out during the onset of the UsefulNotes/COVID19Pandemic), ''Turning Red'' would see a release straight to Creator/DisneyPlus, rather than a traditional box-office theatrical run [[note]]The film had limited runs in the United States in select areas, likewise in other international territories.[[/note]]. Ultimately, these factors proved to not be a problem, as the film's [[UsefulNotes/{{Ratings}} Nielsen ratings]] boasted an impressive [[https://twitter.com/DisneyAPromos/status/1512272963537571845 1.7 billion viewing minutes]] during its debut weekend against original series ''and'' movies. This marked the film as one of the best debuts on Creator/DisneyPlus and Nielsen's records. To put into another perspective, the film's three-day total beat out SleeperHit sensation ''Series/SquidGame'''s 1.6 billion [[https://twitter.com/CEOnChairman/status/1512681699338964999?s=20 earned]] in ''four'' weeks. Therefore, it's unsurprising that director Domee Shi and producer Lindsey Collins were [[https://www.cartoonbrew.com/executives/pixar-promotes-lindsey-collins-domee-shi-214795.html promoted]] to higher positions at Pixar afterward.
[[/folder]]

* Warner Animation Group
** When ''WesternAnimation/TheLegoMovie'' was announced, it was scorned by critics and most believed it would be nothing more beyond a glorified toy commercial. Few could have predicted it would turn out to be a fresh, original film with stellar animation, witty humor, memorable characters, an engaging plot, and a brilliant deconstruction of TheChosenOne trope. The success led to both a sequel and the spin-off ''WesternAnimation/TheLegoBatmanMovie''.
** As soon as ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitansGoToTheMovies'' was announced, many immediately dismissed the idea due to it being a spinoff of [[WesternAnimation/TeenTitansGo one of the Internet's most hated modern cartoons]], even going so far as to say that it would be [[SpiritualSuccessor as bad as]], or ''worse'' than ''WesternAnimation/TheEmojiMovie'', which is not exactly well-regarded itself. By the time of the film's release, however, it received largely positive reviews, gaining a [[https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/teen_titans_go_to_the_movies 91%]] on Website/RottenTomatoes, and did mildly well at the box office.

** ''Westernanimation/Sing2'' also caught a bad moment, with overall underperfomance of animated movies amid the COVID-19 pandemic, [[TrailersAlwaysSpoil a way too revealing trailer]], and ''Film/SpiderManNoWayHome'' opening shortly prior (wrecking the box office prospects of just about every other big release of December 2021). Despite it all, ''Sing 2'' managed to become the highest grossing animated film of 2021 and the tenth highest grossing film of the same year, while again getting good reviews.

** ''WesternAnimation/TurningRed:'' Vocal pre-release internet critics thought the film's 3DCG {{Animesque}} art direction, and ComingOfAgeStory through the lens of a young millennial [[MinorityShowGhetto Chinese-Canadian]] girl was [[GirlShowGhetto too niche]] and out of tone with Creator/{{Pixar}}'s other films. Additionally, like Pixar's [[WesternAnimation/{{Soul}} last]] two [[WesternAnimation/{{Luca}} films]] (both of which came out during the onset of the UsefulNotes/COVID19Pandemic), ''Turning Red'' would see a release straight to Creator/DisneyPlus, rather than a traditional box-office theatrical run [[note]]The film had limited runs in the United States in select areas, likewise in other international territories.[[/note]]. Ultimately, these factors proved to not be a problem, as the film's [[UsefulNotes/{{Ratings}} Nielsen ratings]] boasted an impressive [[https://twitter.com/DisneyAPromos/status/1512272963537571845 1.7 billion viewing minutes]] during its debut weekend against original series ''and'' movies. This marked the film as one of the best debuts on Creator/DisneyPlus and Nielsen's records. To put into another perspective, the film's three-day total beat out SleeperHit sensation ''Series/SquidGame'''s 1.6 billion [[https://twitter.com/CEOnChairman/status/1512681699338964999?s=20 earned]] in ''four'' weeks. Therefore, it's unsurprising that director Domee Shi and producer Lindsey Collins were [[https://www.cartoonbrew.com/executives/pixar-promotes-lindsey-collins-domee-shi-214795.html promoted]] to higher positions at Pixar afterward.

** ''WesternAnimation/TurningRed:'' Vocal pre-release internet critics thought the film's 3DCG {{Animesque}} art direction, and ComingOfAgeStory through the lens of a young millennial [[MinorityShowGhetto Chinese-Canadian]] girl was [[GirlShowGhetto too niche]] and out of tone with Creator/{{Pixar}}'s other films. Additionally, like Pixar's [[WesternAnimation/{{Soul}} last]] two [[WesternAnimation/{{Luca}} films]] (both of which came out during the onset of the UsefulNotes/COVID19Pandemic, ''Turning Red'' would see a release straight to Creator/DisneyPlus, rather than a traditional box-office theatrical run [[note]]The film had limited runs in the United States in select areas, likewise in other international territories.[[/note]]. Ultimately, these factors proved to not be a problem, as the film's [[UsefulNotes/{{Ratings}} Nielsen ratings]] boasted an impressive [[https://twitter.com/DisneyAPromos/status/1512272963537571845 1.7 billion viewing minutes]] during its debut weekend against original series ''and'' movies. This marked the film as one of the best debuts on Creator/DisneyPlus and Nielsen's records. To put into another perspective, the film's three-day total beat out SleeperHit sensation ''Series/SquidGame'''s 1.6 billion [[https://twitter.com/CEOnChairman/status/1512681699338964999?s=20 earned]] in ''four'' weeks. Therefore, it's unsurprising that director Domee Shi and producer Lindsey Collins were [[https://www.cartoonbrew.com/executives/pixar-promotes-lindsey-collins-domee-shi-214795.html promoted]] to higher positions at Pixar afterward.

** ''WesternAnimation/TurningRed:'' Vocal pre-release internet critics thought the film's 3DCG {{Animesque}} art direction, and ComingOfAgeStory through the lens of a young millennial [[MinorityShowGhetto Chinese-Canadian]] girl was [[GirlShowGhetto too niche]] and out of tone with Creator/{{Pixar}}'s other films. Much like Pixar's [[WesternAnimation/{{Soul}} last]] two [[WesternAnimation/{{Luca}} films]], ''Turning Red'' would see a straight to Creator/DisneyPlus release, rather than a traditional box-office theatrical run [[note]]The film had limited runs in the United States in select areas, likewise in other international territories.[[/note]]. Ultimately, these factors proved to not be a problem, as the film's [[UsefulNotes/{{Ratings}} Nielsen ratings]] boasted an impressive [[https://twitter.com/DisneyAPromos/status/1512272963537571845 1.7 billion viewing minutes]] during its debut weekend against original series ''and'' movies. This marked the film as one of the best debuts on Creator/DisneyPlus and Nielsen's records. To put into another perspective, the film's three-day total beat out SleeperHit sensation ''Series/SquidGame'''s 1.6 billion [[https://twitter.com/CEOnChairman/status/1512681699338964999?s=20 earned]] in ''four'' weeks. Therefore, it's unsurprising that director Domee Shi and producer Lindsey Collins were [[https://www.cartoonbrew.com/executives/pixar-promotes-lindsey-collins-domee-shi-214795.html promoted]] to higher positions at Pixar afterward.

** ''WesternAnimation/KungFuPanda'' was announced at a time when most Creator/DreamWorksAnimation movies were receiving mixed to negative reviews (especially ''WesternAnimation/SharkTale'' and ''WesternAnimation/BeeMovie'') and had suffered from [[AudienceAlienatingPremise Audience-Alienating Premises]]. ''Kung Fu Panda'' was expected to be a movie with a one-joke premise (a fat panda doing Kung Fu), but what audiences got was an action-packed animated flick with enough heart, humor, and fleshed-out characters to go around. Add on respect to Chinese culture and a good message, and you have a movie that not only restored audience faith in Dreamworks, but is also considered to be their best movie (alongside ''WesternAnimation/HowToTrainYourDragon''). Its success inspired 3 sequels, 2 TV shows, and countless rip-offs.

* ''Westernanimation/Sing2'' also caught a bad moment, with overall underperfomance of animated movies amid the COVID-19 pandemic, [[TrailersAlwaysSpoil a way too revealing trailer]], and ''Film/SpiderManNoWayHome'' opening shortly prior (wrecking the box office prospects of just about every other big release of December 2021). Despite it all, ''Sing 2'' managed to become the highest grossing animated film of 2021 and the tenth highest grossing film of the same year, while again getting good reviews.

* This was the fan community reaction to the ''Friendship Is Magic'' spin-off ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirls1'', due it being a HighSchoolAU of Franchise/MyLittlePony... ''[[HumanityEnsues without]]'' the ponies. Things only seemed to get worse as pictures of the [[UncannyValley prototype dolls and stock art]] leaked, with more than one person crying that the parent show was DarthWiki/RuinedForever and that it would be a FranchiseKiller. Instead, it became a big enough hit to warrant multiple sequels that each received [[GrowingTheBeard better reception than the last]], with the BigBad (and later HeroProtagonist) of the spinoff franchise becoming a fan-favorite character.

** As soon as ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitansGoToTheMovies'' was announced, many immediately dismissed the idea due to it being a spinoff of [[WesternAnimation/TeenTitansGo one of the Internet's most hated modern cartoons]], even going so far as to say that it would be [[SpiritualSuccessor as bad as]], or ''worse'' than ''WesternAnimation/TheEmojiMovie'', which is not eactly well-regarded itself. By the time of the film's release, however, it received largely positive reviews, gaining a [[https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/teen_titans_go_to_the_movies 91%]] on Website/RottenTomatoes, and did mildly well at the box office.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Sing}}'': Not too many people expected this film to succeed, with many claiming that it was a stale copy of ''WesternAnimation/{{Zootopia}}'' with a very cliché, unoriginal plot about a singing competition. Despite all this, the movie managed to earn nearly $200 million in under two weeks, was the second leading film during Christmas weekend at the box office and has gotten mixed to positive reviews by both critics and fans alike. The film was nominated for the Best Animated Feature Golden Globe in 2017.

** ''WesternAnimation/KungFuPanda'' was announced at a time when most Creator/DreamWorksAnimation movies were receiving mixed to negative reviews (especially ''WesternAnimation/SharkTale'' and ''WesternAnimation/BeeMovie'') and had suffered from [[AudienceAlienatingPremise Audience-Alienating Premises]]. ''Kung Fu Panda'' was expected to be a movie with a one-joke premise (a fat panda doing Kung Fu), but what audiences got was an action-packed animated flick with enough heart, humor, and fleshed-out characters to go around. Add on respect to Chinese culture and a good message, and you have a movie that not only restored audience faith in Dreamworks, but is also considered to be their best movie (alongside ''WesternAnimation/HowToTrainYourDragon''). Its success inspired 2 sequels, 2 TV shows, and countless rip-offs.

** ''WesternAnimation/TurningRed:'' Vocal pre-release internet critics thought the film's 3DCG {{Animesque}} art direction, and ComingOfAgeStory through the lens of a young millennial Chinese-Canadian girl was [[GirlShowGhetto too]] [[MinorityShowGhetto niche]] and out of tone with Creator/{{Pixar}}'s other films. Much like Pixar's [[WesternAnimation/{{Soul}} last]] two [[WesternAnimation/{{Luca}} films]], ''Turning Red'' would see a straight to Creator/DisneyPlus release, rather than a traditional box-office theatrical run [[note]]The film had limited runs in the United States in select areas, likewise in other international territories.[[/note]]. Ultimately, these factors proved to not be a problem, as the film's [[UsefulNotes/{{Ratings}} Nielsen ratings]] boasted an impressive [[https://twitter.com/DisneyAPromos/status/1512272963537571845 1.7 billion viewing minutes]] during its debut weekend against original series ''and'' movies. This marked the film as one of the best debuts on Creator/DisneyPlus and Nielsen's records. To put into another perspective, the film's three-day total beat out SleeperHit sensation ''Series/SquidGame'''s 1.6 billion [[https://twitter.com/CEOnChairman/status/1512681699338964999?s=20 earned]] in ''four'' weeks. Therefore, it's unsurprising that director Domee Shi and producer Lindsey Collins were [[https://www.cartoonbrew.com/executives/pixar-promotes-lindsey-collins-domee-shi-214795.html promoted]] to higher positions at Pixar afterward.

** ''WesternAnimation/TurningRed:'' Vocal pre-release internet critics thought the film's 3DCG {{Animesque}} art direction, and ComingOfAgeStory through the lens of a young millennial Chinese-Canadian girl was [[GirlShowGhetto too niche]] and out of tone with Creator/{{Pixar}}'s other films. Much like Pixar's last [[WesternAnimation/{{Soul}} two]] [[WesternAnimation/{{Luca}} films]] during the UsefulNotes/COVID19Pandemic, ''Turning Red'' would see a straight to Creator/DisneyPlus release, rather than a traditional box-office theatrical run [[note]]The film had limited runs in the United States in select areas, likewise in other international territories.[[/note]]. Ultimately, these factors proved to not be a problem, as the film's Nielsen ratings boasted an impressive [[https://twitter.com/DisneyAPromos/status/1512272963537571845 1.7 billion viewing minutes]] during its debut weekend against original series ''and'' movies. This marked the film as one of the best debuts on Creator/DisneyPlus and Nielsen's records. To put into another perspective, the film's three-day total beat out SleeperHit sensation Series/SquidGame's 1.6 billion [[https://twitter.com/CEOnChairman/status/1512681699338964999?s=20 earned]] in ''four'' weeks. Therefore, it's unsurprising that director Domee Shi and producer Lisdney Collins were [[https://www.cartoonbrew.com/executives/pixar-promotes-lindsey-collins-domee-shi-214795.html promoted]] to higher positions at Pixar afterward.

** ''WesternAnimation/TurningRed:'' Vocal pre-release internet critics thought the film's 3DCG {{Animesque}} art direction, and ComingOfAgeStory through the lens of a young millennial Chinese-Canadian girl was [[GirlShowGhetto too niche]] and out of tone with Creator/{{Pixar}}'s other films. Much like Pixar's last [[WesternAnimation/{{Soul}} two]] [[WesternAnimation/{{Luca}} films]], ''Turning Red'' would see a straight to Creator/DisneyPlus release, rather than a traditional box-office theatrical run [[note]]The film had limited runs in the United States in select areas, likewise in other international territories.[[/note]]. Ultimately, these factors proved to not be a problem, as the film's Nielsen ratings boasted an impressive [[https://twitter.com/DisneyAPromos/status/1512272963537571845 1.7 billion viewing minutes]] during its debut weekend against original series ''and'' movies. This marked the film as one of the best debuts on Creator/DisneyPlus and Nielsen's records. To put into another perspective, the film's three-day total beat out SleeperHit sensation Series/SquidGame's 1.6 billion [[https://twitter.com/CEOnChairman/status/1512681699338964999?s=20 earned]] in ''four'' weeks. Therefore, it's unsurprising that director Domee Shi and producer Lisdney Collins were [[https://www.cartoonbrew.com/executives/pixar-promotes-lindsey-collins-domee-shi-214795.html promoted]] to higher positions at Pixar afterward.

* When ''WesternAnimation/TheLegoMovie'' was announced, it was scorned by critics and most believed it would be nothing more beyond a glorified toy commercial. Few could have predicted it would turn out to be a fresh, original film with stellar animation, witty humor, memorable characters, an engaging plot, and a brilliant deconstruction of TheChosenOne trope. The success led to both a sequel and the spin-off ''WesternAnimation/TheLegoBatmanMovie''.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Sing}}'': Not too many people expected this film to succeed, with many claiming that it was a stale copy of ''WesternAnimation/{{Zootopia}}'' with a very cliché, unoriginal plot about a singing competition. Despite all this, the movie managed to earn nearly $200 million in under two weeks, was the second leading film during Christmas weekend at the box office and has gotten mixed to positive reviews by both critics and fans alike. The film was nominated for the Best Animated Feature Golden Globe in 2017.
* As soon as ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitansGoToTheMovies'' was announced, many immediately dismissed the idea due to it being a spinoff of [[WesternAnimation/TeenTitansGo one of the Internet's most hated modern cartoons]], even going so far as to say that it would be [[SpiritualSuccessor as bad as]], or ''worse'' than ''WesternAnimation/TheEmojiMovie'', which is not eactly well-regarded itself. By the time of the film's release, however, it received largely positive reviews, gaining a [[https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/teen_titans_go_to_the_movies 91%]] on Website/RottenTomatoes, and did mildly well at the box office.

* Disney's close competitor ''Creator/DreamWorksAnimation'' has also had its fair share of surprise hits:

* ''WesternAnimation/KungFuPanda'' was announced at a time when most Creator/DreamWorksAnimation movies were receiving mixed to negative reviews (especially ''WesternAnimation/SharkTale'' and ''WesternAnimation/BeeMovie'') and had suffered from [[AudienceAlienatingPremise Audience-Alienating Premises]]. ''Kung Fu Panda'' was expected to be a movie with a one-joke premise (a fat panda doing Kung Fu), but what audiences got was an action-packed animated flick with enough heart, humor, and fleshed-out characters to go around. Add on respect to Chinese culture and a good message, and you have a movie that not only restored audience faith in Dreamworks, but is also considered to be their best movie (alongside ''WesternAnimation/HowToTrainYourDragon''). Its success inspired 2 sequels, 2 TV shows, and countless rip-offs.

* As soon as ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitansGoToTheMovies'' was announced, many immediately dismissed the idea due to it being a spinoff of [[WesternAnimation/TeenTitansGo one of the Internet's most hated modern cartoons]], even going so far as to say that it would be [[SpiritualSuccessor as bad as]], or ''worse'' than ''WesternAnimation/TheEmojiMovie'', which is not eactly well-regarded itself. By the time of the film's release, however, it received largely positive reviews, gaining a [[https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/teen_titans_go_to_the_movies 91%]] on Website/RottenTomatoes, and did mildly well at the box office.
* ''WesternAnimation/TrollsWorldTour'': Due to the COVID-19 pandemic causing theaters to shut down worldwide, ''World Tour'' was one of the first films to be released on video-on-demand rather than be postponed to a later date. Many initially viewed this as Creator/{{Universal}} giving up on the movie and just trying to recoup their losses, especially after the massive flops of ''Film/{{Cats}}'' and ''Film/{{Dolittle}}''. Within three weeks, ''World Tour'' made over $100 million dollars in rentals, breaking digital records across the board and making more money for Universal than the first film made for 20th Century Fox within five months.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheCroodsANewAge'' was released in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though [[WesternAnimation/TheCroods the first movie]] was a hit and well received, it came out seven years prior and no one thought that it had a large enough following to justify a trip to the theater (at that point, the only tentpole released was ''Film/{{Tenet}}'', which bombed). It opened to $9.7m in its opening weekend (the highest since Tenet), but it went on to have a greater staying power, earning $58.6m domestically (a x6 multiplier) and $216m worldwide, making it one of the first cinematic success stories of the pandemic era.