Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2 is set to open next weekend, giving distributor Sony (SONY -1.68%) an opportunity to get back on track after an underwhelming year at the box office.
The timing could hardly be better. Despicable Me 2, from Comcast's (CMCSA -0.33%) Universal Pictures, recently became the first animated film in three years to earn at least $300 million at the U.S. box office. Walt Disney's (DIS -0.83%) Monsters University also outperformed, earning more than any of 2012's biggest animated hits. The toons are back on top, it seems.
The following slideshow reveals the top five grossing animated features of all time and reveals why Disney, still animation's undisputed king, is seeing more competition than ever. We also name the two best opportunities for investors right now.
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