Animated DreamWorks Movies, Ranked By Box Office

Highlights

DreamWorks produces great animated movies with engaging stories and unique characters, leading to box office success.
Franchises like Shrek, Madagascar, and How to Train Your Dragon have garnered worldwide acclaim and financial success.
DreamWorks’ experimental approach to animation allows for a diverse range of films that appeal to both kids and adults alike.

As a long-time fan of the Shrek franchise, I must say that the fourth and final film, while not reaching the heights of its predecessors, still holds a special place in my heart. It’s been a rollercoaster ride for our beloved green ogre, but this one felt like a punch to the gut.

As a passionate gamer, I can’t help but acknowledge the formidable presence of DreamWorks in the world of animation. Unlike Disney and Pixar, who often dominate the box office with their traditional approaches, DreamWorks stands out by offering more innovative and daring animated movies. They’ve got a knack for blending unique designs and intriguing narratives, all while keeping both kids and adults hooked. It’s no wonder that they’ve managed to secure a significant portion of box office success, churning out some of the highest-grossing animated films ever made.

Although DreamWorks may not dominate the animation world quite like Disney or enjoy the same level of admiration as Pixar, they still create some excellent films. In fact, it’s worth noting that this is the studio responsible for creating the beloved movie “Shrek”. This raises the curiosity about which DreamWorks movies have earned the most money, and where exactly “Shrek” fits in that list.

10 Puss in Boots

Worldwide Gross: $554,987,477

Animated DreamWorks Movies, Ranked By Box Office

Release Date: October 27, 2011
Director: Chris Miller
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86%

Stepping Away from Shrek’s world, we delve into a tale that isn’t about everyone’s beloved green Ogre. Instead, Puss in Boots takes center stage as the catalyst for the legendary feline’s origins. With a DreamWorks spin on classic fairy tale characters, Puss encounters figures like Humpty Dumpty and Jack and Jill, creating an exciting and original family-friendly action/adventure. It’s no wonder that Puss in Boots was a box office success when it hit theaters in 2011.

The Shrek films have always been cherished by audiences, so it was a brilliant move to create a standalone movie for the adored character Puss in Boots just a year after the last Shrek film. This decision led to a significant increase at the box office. Unfortunately, the 2022 sequel didn’t perform as well, despite having outstanding animation and a compelling storyline.

9 The Croods

Worldwide Gross: $587,266,745

Release Date: March 22, 2013
Director: Chris Sanders, Kirk DeMicco
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 72%

Abandoning the magical realms of dragons and ogres, DreamWorks ventures into more basic eras by introducing a prehistoric family in The Croods. This straightforward narrative offers DreamWorks an opportunity to innovate and create unique, fascinating creatures and perils for a family on a quest to find a fresh home. The humor in this adventure is heartwarming and wholesome.

The success at the box office for the animated film The Croods can be attributed to several factors. Apart from boasting a talented cast including Nicolas Cage, Ryan Reynolds, and Emma Stone, it also offers an appealing animation style, humorous content, and animal characters that are sure to captivate children.

8 Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

Worldwide Gross: $603,900,354

Release Date: December 5, 2008
Director: Tom McGrath, Eric Darnell
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 64%

1. In Africa, these famous creatures – lions, zebras, giraffes, and hippos – find themselves unexpectedly displaced, discovering a world that’s both challenging and idyllic. The amusing antics of the characters from the Madagascar films as they interact with their own kind and other wild animals make for an enjoyable experience. It’s even more entertaining to watch these characters cause trouble in all sorts of directions, thanks to the various storylines.

Given the enduring popularity of the original Madagascar movie, it’s understandable that Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, released in 2008, outperformed its predecessor at the box office. The increased earnings can probably be credited to the audience’s affection for the original film’s characters and actors.

7 How to Train Your Dragon 2

Worldwide Gross: $621,537,519

Release Date: June 5, 2014
Director: Dean DeBlois
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%

In “How to Train Your Dragon 2,” the series soars to greater, action-packed realms, showcasing a vividly realized universe inhabited by dragon trainers and heartwarming bonds between dragons and their masters. The narrative continues to center around Hiccup and Toothless, but this sequel delves deeper into a more complex tale that revolves around family and the extreme measures one would take to safeguard them.

Enjoy this heartwarming and thrilling family flick, “How to Train Your Dragon 2”! It skillfully balances emotion and excitement, catering to both children and grown-ups who appreciate its warmth and wit. The superior animation compared to its predecessor showcases DreamWorks’ ongoing growth, making the box office success of “How to Train Your Dragon 2” truly well-deserved.

6 Kung Fu Panda

Worldwide Gross: $632,091,832

Release Date: July 4, 2008
Director: Mark Osborne, John Stevenson
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 87%

In 2008, Jack Black seemed primed for success, particularly in his role as Po, an overweight and accident-prone panda harboring dreams of joining the Furious Five, a team of powerful and reserved martial artists. When fate unexpectedly makes him the Dragon Warrior and tasks him with safeguarding the Valley of Peace, Po embarks on a journey to uncover his true identity and embrace his destiny.

Without a doubt, Kung Fu Panda ranks among DreamWorks’ top-notch productions. It’s consistently funny, with nearly every scene filled with jokes that hit the mark. The acclaim for Kung Fu Panda is evident, as it has spawned numerous spin-offs, but it seems that Po’s initial journey was its most successful due to a captivating antagonist and an enthralling narrative.

5 Kung Fu Panda 2

Worldwide Gross: $665,692,281

Release Date: May 26, 2011
Director: Jennifer Yuh Nelson
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 81%

In the animated film “Kung Fu Panda 2,” Po and his team, the Furious Five, revisit the peaceful Valley where they come face to face with a menacing peacock who seeks to devastate China using advanced military technology. However, this movie goes beyond the typical hero-versus-villain narrative, delving into themes of inner tranquility. Po’s journey in this film is not just about fighting an adversary but about his self-discovery and acceptance of his past, which is fraught with a heart-wrenching panda backstory.

Although Kung Fu Panda 2 only slightly surpassed its initial movie in earnings, it still made a substantial sum of money and was even more successful overseas, particularly in Asian countries such as China. The film’s lovable characters and Chinese backdrop likely contributed to its success in these regions.

4 Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted

Worldwide Gross: $746,912,274

Release Date: October 19, 2012
Director: Tom McGrath, Conrad Vernon, Eric Darnell
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 78%

Moving beyond Africa’s landscapes, Marty, Alex, Melman, and Gloria seek refuge with an extraordinary circus troupe who travel wildly. This new environment filled with skill and structure enhances their familial ties as they navigate through avoiding capture by animal control officers.

The third installment of the Madagascar series, titled Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted, saw a significant increase in box office earnings compared to its predecessors. This surge might be attributed to the gap between films or the positive buzz about its side-splitting humor and satisfying conclusion for the animal characters who started their journey at a New York zoo before embarking on global adventures.

3 Shrek Forever After

Worldwide Gross: $752,600,867

Release Date: July 2, 2010
Director: Mike Mitchell
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 57%

In the fourth film featuring Shrek, the green ogre experiences a mid-life crisis that’s exploited by Rumpelstiltskin to make Shrek sign a contract with far-reaching consequences. This agreement ultimately transforms Shrek’s life and the lives of his dearest companions, as Rumpelstiltskin seizes control over Far, Far Away, effectively erasing Shrek from memory. The ending hints at a grim future for Shrek and his friends, with a somber tone that foreshadows potential perils ahead.

The Shrek series has consistently been popular, making it understandable that many people flocked to see the fourth and concluding film. Although it may not have ranked highest among critics or at the box office within the franchise, it remains an enjoyable Shrek movie for fans. In time, they might appreciate it even more as they eagerly anticipate Shrek 5, scheduled for release in 2026.

2 Shrek the Third

Worldwide Gross: $813,367,380

Release Date: June 29, 2007
Director: Chris Miller
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 42%

In their family, there’s been a sad event – King Harold has passed away. This means Shrek, the ogre who loves onions, must assume the throne and take on new duties in the Far, Far Away kingdom. However, ruling isn’t something an ogre usually does, so he embarks on a journey over vast oceans to find a powerful, free-spirited wizard and a rebellious young man named Arthur. His intention is to pass the crown onto someone who can shoulder the weight of responsibility more easily.

The film “Shrek the Third” is often considered the weakest of the Shrek series, but it does offer an enjoyable interaction between Donkey and Puss in Boots, as well as the reappearance of Prince Charming as the antagonist. Despite receiving negative reviews, “Shrek the Third” holds the second highest box office earnings for the Shrek franchise, coming close to earning a billion dollars back in 2007.

1 Shrek 2

Worldwide Gross: $932,396,221

Release Date: July 2, 2004
Director: Andrew Adamson, Conrad Vernon, Kelly Asbury
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 89%

In a twist of events, Shrek and Fiona are compelled to leave their peaceful abode and find themselves in the Kingdom of Far, Far Away. Here, they confront situations that make Shrek uncomfortable, such as meeting his in-laws – the King and Queen. Shrek feels uneasy in this new realm, and being an ogre, he questions if he’s worthy of love just as he is.

The second installment of “Shrek,” titled “Shrek 2,” catapulted the green ogre character to unprecedented levels and demonstrated that even ogres who prefer swamps can succumb to the pressures of success. It’s hardly unexpected that Shrek 2 raked in a significant amount of money, given the enduring popularity of the original “Shrek” as an unparalleled classic. The sequel, particularly renowned for its humor, characters, and narrative, is fondly remembered. The box-office hit Shrek 2, which amassed nearly a billion dollars, has earned its accolades, but DreamWorks will continually be judged against this benchmark.

2024-08-10 09:34