Best to Worst: DreamWorks Animation
To recognize the successes of DreamWorks Animation created in 1994 by David Geffen, Jeffrey Katzenberg and Steven Spielberg, I will list all of them from best to worst. And worst will be difficult since they haven't made many bad films. Which is a win for us audience. But, they do have a few bumps in the road nonetheless. These will be determined by the percentage given by Rotten Tomatoes.com. Enjoy!
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- DirectorDean DeBloisChris SandersStarsJay BaruchelGerard ButlerChristopher Mintz-PlasseA hapless young Viking who aspires to hunt dragons becomes the unlikely friend of a young dragon himself, and learns there may be more to the creatures than he assumed.99%
Here it is the best film ever made by DreamWorks Animation. And rightfully so, this offers a legendary friendship between two unlikely individuals, a Viking and a dragon. The strength of the film is undoubtably the friendship between the Viking named Hiccup, and the dragon known as a Night Fury, Toothless. In my opinion this friendship is just as strong if not stronger then E.T. and Elliot. Because at least Toothless doesn't leave Hiccup once they become friends. They however get seperated but manage to get back together through trust and a really strong friendship that seems unbreakable. I also need to talk extensively about Toothless, he is amazing in every aspect of the word. I love how DreamWorks didn't make him colorful and peaceful. He is actually at first a threatening and dark presence. Then when he meets Hiccup, he softens up and quickly becomes the coolest character ever made by DreamWorks. In fact people loved Toothless so much, he brought upon sequels and tv shows due to the popularity, because people wanted to see more of Toothless. He is amazing in every way, and so is the film. - DirectorPeter LordNick ParkStarsMel GibsonJulia SawalhaPhil DanielsWhen a cockerel apparently flies into a chicken farm, the chickens see him as an opportunity to escape their evil owners.97%
A well made and dark film, me like. - DirectorSteve BoxNick ParkStarsPeter SallisHelena Bonham CarterRalph FiennesWallace and his loyal dog, Gromit, set out to discover the mystery behind the garden sabotage that plagues their village and threatens the annual giant vegetable growing contest.95%
A classic indeed. - DirectorEric DarnellTim JohnsonLawrence GutermanStarsWoody AllenSharon StoneGene HackmanA rather neurotic ant tries to break from his totalitarian society while trying to win the affection of the princess he loves.93%
Sometimes the first isn't the worst, in this case, the now classic film Antz and rival of A Bug's Life (released the same year) makes you want to watch both without problems which is a win-win for us. - DirectorDean DeBloisStarsJay BaruchelCate BlanchettGerard ButlerWhen Hiccup and Toothless discover an ice cave that is home to hundreds of new wild dragons and the mysterious Dragon Rider, the two friends find themselves at the center of a battle to protect the peace.92%
This beats any DreamWorks film before it and probably any coming after it, because this really rose the bar very high. Great music, great animation, great characters, and a great bond between characters especially, Hiccup and Toothless. I also got to say, bravo to the fellas at DreamWorks. This is how you do it! - DirectorDean DeBloisStarsJay BaruchelAmerica FerreraF. Murray AbrahamWhen Hiccup discovers Toothless isn't the only Night Fury, he must seek the Hidden World, a secret Dragon Utopia before a hired tyrant named Grimmel finds it first.91%
- DirectorAndrew AdamsonKelly AsburyConrad VernonStarsMike MyersEddie MurphyCameron DiazShrek and Fiona travel to the Kingdom of Far Far Away, where Fiona's parents are King and Queen, to celebrate their marriage. When they arrive, they find they are not as welcome as they thought they would be.89%
10 years previously from HTTYD 2 Shrek 2 still holds up as one of the best DreamWorks has to offer. Ironically the sequels have token the top spots. - DirectorAndrew AdamsonVicky JensonStarsMike MyersEddie MurphyCameron DiazA mean lord exiles fairytale creatures to the swamp of a grumpy ogre, who must go on a quest and rescue a princess for the lord in order to get his land back.88%
The first animated movie franchise theatrically since Toy Story. The first for DreamWorks. - DirectorDavid SorenStarsKevin HartThomas MiddleditchEd HelmsTwo overly imaginative pranksters named George and Harold hypnotize their principal into thinking he's a ridiculously enthusiastic, incredibly dimwitted superhero named Captain Underpants.88%
Is it possible DreamWorks has found their next Shrek? No. However, the humor is clever, the idea is familiar but done in a creative new way. This is what I love about DreamWorks. They are so unpredictable, you just don't know what you are going to get next. Went from The Boss Baby, which was one of DreamWorks weakest films, to this surprising delight. Actually maybe it's Kung Fu Panda all over again. Sadly this will be the last DreamWorks animated film until How to Train Your Dragon 3 in 2019. Oh boy, can't wait! - DirectorMark OsborneJohn StevensonStarsJack BlackIan McShaneAngelina JolieTo everyone's surprise, including his own, Po, an overweight, clumsy panda, is chosen as protector of the Valley of Peace. His suitability will soon be tested as the valley's arch-enemy is on his way.87%
Besides HTTYD this is a pretty good franchise. - DirectorAlessandro CarloniJennifer Yuh NelsonStarsJack BlackBryan CranstonDustin HoffmanContinuing his "legendary adventures of awesomeness", Po must face two hugely epic, but different threats: one supernatural and the other a little closer to home.87%
DreamWorks comes with a 1-2-3 punch with this film that ends another astounding franchise made by DreamWorks. Lets hope they stop here, or if a 4th is coming, make it good, don't ruin a stellar franchise. Please! - DirectorChris MillerStarsAntonio BanderasSalma HayekZach GalifianakisAn outlaw cat, his childhood egg-friend, and a seductive thief kitty set out in search for the eggs of the fabled Golden Goose to clear his name, restore his lost honor, and regain the trust of his mother and town.85%
The most successful spin-off ever, and one of the most popular side-characters ever. Puss In Boots offers heart, adventure, romance, and many surprises. - DirectorJennifer Yuh NelsonStarsJack BlackAngelina JolieJackie ChanPo and his friends fight to stop a peacock villain from conquering China with a deadly new weapon, but first the Dragon Warrior must come to terms with his past.81%
One thing DreamWorks knows how to do is sequels. With the expection of Shrek the Third. - DirectorJill CultonTodd WildermanStarsChloe BennetAlbert TsaiTenzing Norgay TrainorThree teenagers must help a Yeti return to his family while avoiding a wealthy man and a zoologist who want him for their own needs.81%
- DirectorBrenda ChapmanSteve HicknerSimon WellsStarsVal KilmerRalph FiennesMichelle PfeifferEgyptian Prince Moses learns of his identity as a Hebrew and his destiny to become the chosen deliverer of his people.80%
DreamWorks shows it can do hand-drawn animations as well. Not only Disney, and now they are a legit rival of Disney. The biggest movie rivalry ever. Sweet. - DirectorEric DarnellTom McGrathConrad VernonStarsBen StillerJada Pinkett SmithChris RockThe Madagascar animals join a struggling European circus to get back to New York, but find themselves being pursued by a psychotic animal-control officer.79%
The only Madagascar film that I personally like, the others I can care less for. - DirectorRob MinkoffStarsTy BurrellMax CharlesStephen ColbertSherman, a young boy, misuses a time machine made by his scientist father Mr. Peabody and causes the world history to go haywire. It is now up to Mr. Peabody to rescue his son and the world.75%
From the same guy who made The Lion King, Rob Minkoff makes his most successful film since then 20 years ago. It's not bad, but nowhere near as good as Lion King obviously, but it's nice to see him back. - DirectorTim JohnsonKarey KirkpatrickStarsBruce WillisGarry ShandlingSteve CarellA scheming raccoon fools a mismatched family of forest creatures into helping him repay a debt of food, by invading the new suburban sprawl that popped up while they were hibernating...and learns a lesson about family himself.75%
A film that has had a surprising success rate. And its a good film too. Funny, creative, and the characters are likeable. Another underrated classic made by DreamWorks. - DirectorPeter RamseyStarsHugh JackmanAlec BaldwinIsla FisherWhen the evil spirit Pitch launches an assault on Earth, the Immortal Guardians team up to protect the innocence of children all around the world.74%
A weird twist on the familiar holiday characters. - DirectorMike MitchellWalt DohrnStarsAnna KendrickJustin TimberlakeZooey DeschanelAfter the Bergens invade Troll Village, Poppy, the happiest Troll ever born, and the curmudgeonly Branch set off on a journey to rescue her friends.75%
Another mediocre film from DreamWorks. And a weird direction for them to go. But its neither great like How to Train Your Dragon or as bad as Shark Tale, just in between along with films like Bee Movie and Turbo. - DirectorDavid BowersSam FellStarsHugh JackmanKate WinsletIan McKellenThe story of an uptown rat that gets flushed down the toilet from his penthouse apartment, ending in the sewers of London, where he has to learn a whole new and different way of life.73%
They did a good job making this look like Wallace and Gromit but it's not the same. Possibly due to DreamWorks and Aardman splitting midway during production. The film is computer animated but looks like an Aardman-styled film. Even through the distractions DreamWorks still managed to make a pretty decent film. - DirectorEric DarnellSimon J. SmithStarsTom McGrathChris MillerChristopher KnightsSkipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private join forces with undercover organization The North Wind to stop the villainous Dr. Octavius Brine from destroying the world as we know it.73%
A fun and silly film with our favorite penguin stooges. - DirectorRob LettermanConrad VernonStarsReese WitherspoonRainn WilsonStephen ColbertA woman transformed into a giant after she is struck by a meteorite on her wedding day becomes part of a team of monsters sent in by the U.S. government to defeat an alien mastermind trying to take over Earth.73%
Not the most inspirational film, but durable. The film was successful enough to garnish a TV show. Seth Rogan does a great job as BOB. And some scenes are pretty funny, like with Seth Rogan and yes, Stephen Colbert. - DirectorTom McGrathStarsWill FerrellJonah HillBrad PittEvil genius Megamind finally defeats his do-gooder nemesis, Metro Man, but is left without a purpose in a superhero-free world.72%
Mediocre. - DirectorKirk DeMiccoChris SandersStarsNicolas CageRyan ReynoldsEmma StoneAfter their cave is destroyed, a caveman family must trek through an unfamiliar fantastical world with the help of an inventive boy.71%
A very underrated film by DreamWorks. Directed by Chris Sanders who also did Lilo & Stitch, and How to Train Your Dragon. This film is beautiful, almost like an animated Avatar. The imagination that went in is superb, and the story has a nice flow to it. Very good indeed. - DirectorKelly AsburyLorna CookStarsMatt DamonJames CromwellDaniel StudiA captured mustang remains determined to return to his herd no matter what.70%
This movie isn't bad, until you watch it 200 times, and when you live with a 4 year old. But it is one of the best hand drawn films by DreamWorks. A very mature film indeed that wasn't about comedy and a film that took itself seriously. Nicely refreshing. - DirectorDavid SorenStarsRyan ReynoldsPaul GiamattiMaya RudolphA freak accident might just help an everyday garden snail achieve his biggest dream: winning the Indy 500.67%
There is something about these film about racing that doesn't seem to click with people. This, and Cars both were not as successful as it's predecessors or successors. This one is forgetable. - DirectorEric DarnellTom McGrathStarsBen StillerChris RockDavid SchwimmerThe Madagascar animals fly back to New York City, but crash-land on an African nature reserve in Kenya, where they meet others of their own kind, and Alex especially discovers his royal heritage as prince of a lion pride.63%
This films is way too much like Lion King. Nice try, for trying to make another one, but better luck next time. It doesn't when you mimic another film that has the same story, characters and everything. Way too much like Lion King. Movie good, idea bad. - DirectorMike MitchellStarsMike MyersCameron DiazEddie MurphyRumpelstiltskin tricks a mid-life crisis burdened Shrek into allowing himself to be erased from existence and cast in a dark alternate timeline where Rumpelstiltskin rules supreme.58%
At least this was better then the third. But, Shrek could have gone out with a bigger bang then this. The idea is creative, but the execution is sloppy. Nowhere near the greatness of Shrek 2, or the charm of Shrek. This serves as the middle-of-the-road film of the franchise. Not great but, ok. - DirectorEric DarnellTom McGrathStarsChris RockBen StillerDavid SchwimmerA group of animals who have spent all their life in a New York zoo end up in the jungles of Madagascar, and must adjust to living in the wild.54%
Very underrated by critics in my opinion. This is on the same level of cleverness in comedy as Shrek. That seems to be a common trait, many DreamWorks films are very underrated, this is one of them. Great film. - DirectorTom McGrathStarsAlec BaldwinSteve BuscemiJimmy KimmelA suit-wearing, briefcase-carrying baby pairs up with his 7-year old brother to stop the dastardly plot of the CEO of Puppy Co.52%
This one makes no sense. Especially considering the projects DreamWorks canceled in trade for this film. Larrikins, Me and My Shadow, and Mumbai Musical all canceled, and yet they green-lit this film. Perhaps DreamWorks' most cringeworthy idea yet. This is just a talking baby voiced by Alec Baldwin...ok am I supposed to be impressed. I like DreamWorks as a company, but this is not convincing me that this is a good film. But, to their credit, this is their first bad movie in a while, in the last decade DreamWorks has released some stellar films (How to Train Your Dragon, Kung Fu Panda) so, I forgive them. Lets hope the next one is better. - DirectorTim JohnsonStarsJim ParsonsRihannaSteve MartinAn alien on the run from his own people makes friends with a girl. He tries to help her on her quest, but can be an interference.50%
Cute, but considering that I've seen what DreamWorks can do with films like How to Train Your Dragon 2, this is a lackluster. Not a blockbuster. But I'm confident DreamWorks will go back to being more of risk-takers like with the Dragon franshise or entertaining like Kung Fu Panda. They seem to always do this, where they make a few mediocre films, then they explode with a classic film like How to Train Your Dragon, I mean they're really on a role with that, but this, no. - DirectorSimon J. SmithSteve HicknerStarsJerry SeinfeldRenée ZellwegerMatthew BroderickBarry B. Benson, a bee just graduated from college, is disillusioned at his lone career choice: making honey. On a special trip outside the hive, Barry's life is saved by Vanessa, a florist in New York City. As their relationship blossoms, he discovers humans actually eat honey and subsequently decides to sue them.50%
This could have been the B movie of DreamWorks, but it wasn't. Still not good though. Jerry Seinfeld as a bee isn't my idea of a good comedic pair. - DirectorBibo BergeronDon PaulJeffrey KatzenbergStarsKevin KlineKenneth BranaghRosie PerezTwo swindlers get their hands on a map to the fabled city of gold, El Dorado.48%
Another unappreciated film by DreamWorks. Is it perfect? No. It has many flaws but it was a lot better then people give credit for. The animation is beautiful as always, and all the actors do a great job voicing the characters. When I saw this, it was thinking "this isn't so bad" I found myself laughing a few times so this is a good film overall. - DirectorPatrick GilmoreTim JohnsonStarsBrad PittCatherine Zeta-JonesJoseph FiennesThe sailor of legend is framed by the goddess Eris for the theft of the Book of Peace and must travel to her realm at the end of the world to retrieve it and save the life of his childhood friend Prince Proteus.45%
Eh, could have been a lot better. After this, DreamWorks stopped hand drawn animation and went strictly computer animation. And due to the financial struggle...can you blame them? But DreamWorks didn't abandon hand-drawn animation entirely. This garnishes major respect for me to DreamWorks, they still use hand-drawn animation like in Book of Dragons, and Kung Fu Panda. It's nice to see that! - DirectorChris MillerRaman HuiStarsMike MyersCameron DiazEddie MurphyReluctantly designated as the heir to the land of Far, Far Away, Shrek hatches a plan to install the rebellious Artie as the new king while Princess Fiona tries to fend off a coup d'état by the jilted Prince Charming.41%
Nearly, the worst of the worst, a huge disappointment considering the success of the second film. I think DreamWorks just took a crap on this one. Horrible. And for the fact it is a sequel to one of DreamWork's best films "Shrek 2" you'd think they'd try a lot harder. - DirectorBibo BergeronVicky JensonRob LettermanStarsWill SmithRobert De NiroRenée ZellwegerWhen a son of a gangster shark boss is accidentally killed while on the hunt, his would-be prey and his vegetarian brother decide to use the incident to their own advantage.35%
This may be the worst by DreamWorks. The characters I think are the real problem. The idea and storyline isn't all that bad. But I can't stand looking at these characters that look exactly like the actors playing them. It was meant to be funny, but is not. The ugliness of Will Smith Fish (courtesy of Nostalgia Critic), is one of the reasons why this movies suffers.