If you grew up in the late eighties or nineties, there’s a good chance Don Bluth helped shape your childhood. His films were the slightly darker, more emotional cousins to Disney’s sparkly musicals — the ones that made us cry over brave mice, baby dinosaurs, and dogs who really did go to heaven.
His work had heart, grit, and that instantly recognisable animation style: huge eyes, soft light, and a touch of melancholy.
In this post, I’m diving into every Don Bluth–directed film and ranking them by their commercial success — how well they actually did at the box office. Later, I’ll be sharing my own personal ranking (and let’s be honest, nostalgia doesn’t always line up with profit). For now, let’s look at who soared, who stumbled, and which animated gems deserved more love than they got.
1. Anastasia (1997) — $140 million worldwide
Don Bluth’s biggest commercial triumph came right at the tail end of his career. Anastasia was released by Fox Animation, and many of us remember thinking it was a Disney movie — it had the same sweeping songs, a feisty heroine, and even a talking animal sidekick. But this was pure Bluth magic, with Meg Ryan voicing Anastasia and John Cusack as the charming Dimitri.
The film out-grossed nearly all his earlier work combined, becoming the most successful non-Disney animated film of its era. It even earned Oscar nominations for its music. A little trivia: Bartok the bat (voiced by Hank Azaria) became so popular he got his own direct-to-video spin-off, Bartok the Magnificent — the studio’s cute attempt at creating a mascot before the millennium hit.
Psst… want to know the real history facts behind Anastasia? I got you!
2. An American Tail (1986) — $84 million worldwide
Before Anastasia ever dreamed of “Once Upon a December,” we had Fievel Mousekewitz — the tiny immigrant mouse searching for his family in a strange new world. This film was a phenomenon. Produced by Steven Spielberg’s Amblin and directed by Bluth, it became the highest-grossing non-Disney animated film of its time.
It was also one of the first major Western animated films to tackle themes like immigration and hope, set to the heartbreaking ballad Somewhere Out There (which hit the pop charts too!). Phillip Glasser, who voiced Fievel, actually returned for the sequel Fievel Goes West, even though Bluth himself didn’t — a sweet bit of continuity for fans who grew up with the little mouse.
Psst… check out my posts on the hidden history lesson in An American Tail here!
3. The Land Before Time (1988) — $84.5 million worldwide
Ah, Littlefoot. This one still hurts in the best way. The Land Before Time was another Bluth–Spielberg collaboration, and though its box office was roughly the same as An American Tail, it had a slightly higher budget, nudging it into third place here.
With its emotional storytelling, stunning prehistoric landscapes, and that devastating scene with Littlefoot’s mother, it became a childhood rite of passage. Fun fact: the late Judith Barsi voiced Ducky — she also voiced Anne-Marie in All Dogs Go to Heaven the following year. Her sweet “yep, yep, yep!” remains one of animation’s most tender memories. W e won’t talk about the tragedy, it makes me cry more than Charlie dying does.
4. All Dogs Go to Heaven (1989) — $27 million worldwide
Released the same year as Disney’s The Little Mermaid, this film had a rough time at the box office — but ask any millennial, and they’ll tell you it lived forever on VHS. Charlie B. Barkin (voiced by Burt Reynolds!) and his canine antics were classic Bluth: a little dark, a little chaotic, and ultimately heart-melting.
Even though it didn’t pull in Disney numbers, the home-video sales were enormous, sparking a sequel, a TV show, and an entire generation of kids convinced dogs really do get second chances. It also holds some classic one liners that I still quote today.
Psst… want to discuss why this one still makes us cry as adults? Or is that just me? Read more here!
5. The Secret of NIMH (1982) — $14.7 million (U.S.)
Bluth’s first feature after leaving Disney remains one of his most beloved. It wasn’t a huge box office success, but it was an artistic triumph that established his signature tone — brave mothers, danger, and deep mythic world-building. Mrs Brisby (voiced by Elizabeth Hartman) became a cult heroine, and critics praised the film’s mature themes and hand-painted artistry.
It’s also worth noting that Bluth, frustrated by Disney’s creative stagnation in the late seventies, took several animators with him when he left. NIMH was their rallying cry — proof that animated films could be bold and intelligent again.
6. Thumbelina (1994) — $17 million worldwide
If Anastasia was Bluth’s Disney rival, Thumbelina was his practice round. Featuring songs by Barry Manilow and a voice cast including Jodi Benson (Ariel herself!), it had all the ingredients of a hit but landed awkwardly in a post-Disney-renaissance world.
It’s still sweet and gorgeously animated — just perhaps a little too sparkly for audiences expecting darker adventure. And yes, it’s technically a fairy-tale musical where a frog tries to marry the heroine — truly peak ’90s weirdness. Every time I think of this one I inevitably spend the rest of the day singing “Thumbelinaaaaa” or “Dearie, marry the toad!”
7. Rock-a-Doodle (1991) — $11.6 million worldwide
Oh, this one. The talking rooster who thinks he’s Elvis. Need I say more? Rock-a-Doodle was part live-action, part animated, and entirely chaotic — but that’s also what makes it memorable. Glen Campbell voiced Chanticleer, and the soundtrack is a hidden gem of rockabilly charm.
Critics didn’t know what to do with it, and audiences stayed home, but honestly? It’s a fun fever dream. Rewatch it now and tell me it’s not secretly brilliant.
8. The Pebble and the Penguin (1995) — $3.9 million worldwide
Ah yes, the penguin romance we didn’t ask for but still kind of love. Martin Short and Annie Golden voice the leads, and the music is by Barry Manilow (again — Bluth really had a thing for him). Unfortunately, production issues led to studio interference, and Bluth himself disowned the final cut.
It flopped hard in cinemas but found a quiet afterlife among nostalgic fans who still hum Now and Forever unironically.
9. Titan A.E. (2000) — $36.8 million worldwide
This one’s a bit tricky. Technically, it made more than several earlier titles, but its massive $85 million budget made it a financial disaster. Fox Animation actually shut down after this film, which makes it a bittersweet end to Bluth’s theatrical career.
Still, Titan A.E. deserves credit for its ambition — a gritty, sci-fi adventure with Matt Damon, Drew Barrymore, and Nathan Lane voicing the leads. It’s aged surprisingly well as a cult favourite, and its blend of traditional and CGI animation was ahead of its time.
10. A Troll in Central Park (1994) — $71k domestic
If you’ve never heard of this one, you’re not alone. It was barely released in cinemas. Bluth fans tend to either forget it exists or defend it with the kind of nostalgic loyalty only true ’90s kids can muster.
It’s a soft, pastel-coloured story about a gentle troll who grows flowers with his thumbs — voiced by Dom DeLuise, who appeared in five Bluth films total. That’s right — Dom was the unofficial mascot of the Don Bluth universe, voicing everything from Itchy in All Dogs Go to Heaven to Jeremy the crow in The Secret of NIMH. Once you hear Dom’s voice, you’ll know it anywhere!
Honourable Mention: Bartok the Magnificent (1999)
A direct-to-video spin-off from Anastasia, this one technically wasn’t directed by Bluth (his longtime collaborator Gary Goldman took the reins) — but it absolutely deserves a mention as it is the only spin-off that Bluth was a part of. Bartok the bat gets his own fairytale quest, complete with catchy songs and heart. It didn’t get a theatrical run so there are no official box office statistics, but it’s one of those sweet late-’90s gems that feels like Saturday-morning-video-store heaven.
Rebecca’s Rankings
The list that nobody asked for! Here are my Don Bluth rankings — based on nostalgia, memories, emotional connection and millennial tears shed when we say goodbye to Squeaker.
- All Dog’s Go to Heaven (I adore the Christmas special too!)
- Anastasia / Bartok
- Thumbelina
- An American Tail
- The Secret of Nimh
- The Land Before Time
- A Troll in Central Park
- The Pebble and the Penguin
- Titan A.E.
- Rock-a-Doodle
Wrapping Up
Don Bluth’s career is one long emotional roller-coaster of triumphs, flops, and cult classics. Even his failures are fascinating — every one of them oozes creativity and sincerity.
And obviously my list didn’t match the box office success. Because cash is nothing when you are ranking these films by heart — from the ones that made me sob to the ones I wore out on VHS. Sometimes, success isn’t measured in millions — it’s measured in how deeply those animated worlds still live inside us. And how often I still cry when Charlie earns his wings.
