I think it easiest view this usage of “animated films” as a genre rather than an a technical description. Films like the MCU and Avatar will have digital effects on every frame but they are not marketed as animated films.
For some reason Wikipedia isn’t listing Pokemon on the animated franchise table but The Numbers put the Pokemon franchise box office at $1.156b. If we cross reference that with the Wikipedia table that places it above The Lego Move but below The Secret Life of Pets.
I think it easiest view this usage of “animated films” as a genre rather than an a technical description. Films like the MCU and Avatar will have digital effects on every frame but they are not marketed as animated films.
According to Wikipedia the top 5 are:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_highest-grossing_animated_films#Highest-grossing_animated_franchises_and_film_series
For some reason Wikipedia isn’t listing Pokemon on the animated franchise table but The Numbers put the Pokemon franchise box office at $1.156b. If we cross reference that with the Wikipedia table that places it above The Lego Move but below The Secret Life of Pets.
https://www.the-numbers.com/movies/franchises#franchise_overview=fPokemon:od3