"the aristocats" was released in december 1970 where it earned $10.1 million in united states and canadian rentals by the end of 1971. the film was the most popular "general release" movie at the british box office in 1971. the film was the most popular film in france in 1971 and had total admissions of 12.7 million. it is also ranked as the eighteenth highest-grossing of all time in france. the film is the most popular film released in germany in 1971 with admissions of 11.3 million being the country's eleventh highest-grossing film. by the end of its initial theatrical run, the film had earned domestic rentals of $11 million and $17 million in foreign countries, for a worldwide rental of $28 million.