DreamWorks Animation’s first movie was Antz, released two months before A Bug’s Life, and thus this studio was born into incessant comparison to Pixar’s output, molded by it, becoming the snarky and sarcastic foil to its competitor’s earnestness.
DreamWorks Animation would forge most of its identity and formula on the back of one giant, smelly, green ogre: Shrek, which has generated sequels, tie-ins, theme park rides, and billions of dollars, while ensuring Smash Mouth’s “All-Star” never leaving the pop culture’s ironic curriculum.
The studio’s other franchises include Kung Fu Panda, which introduced a whole new world of visual flair and surprising emotional depth to the DreamWorks movie canon, and Madagascar, which pulled off the mega-rare feat of each movie being higher-rated on the Tomatometer than the last.
Here are the all the 46 Dreamworks animated movies ranked from worst to best:
46. Bee Movie
A comedy about a bee who sues the human race for exploiting bees, starring Jerry Seinfeld. Despite its star power and unique premise, the movie failed to impress critics and audiences alike.
45. The Boss Baby: Family Business
In this sequel, the Templeton brothers, now adults, are reunited and transported back to their childhood, where they must confront their old rivalry and work together to save their family. It failed to capture the charm of the original.
44. Spirit Untamed
A sequel to the 2002 film Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, this movie follows a young girl who befriends a wild mustang and tries to protect her from a wrangler. It received mixed reviews for its predictable plot and lack of originality.
43. Trolls Bands Together
The sequel to the 2016 movie Trolls, this film explores the different Troll tribes and their musical styles. While visually stunning, it was criticized for its convoluted plot and over-reliance on pop culture references.
42. Shark Tale
This computer-animated comedy, set in an underwater world, featured a star-studded voice cast including Will Smith, Robert De Niro, and Renée Zellweger. Despite its impressive animation, the movie was panned for its derivative storyline and lack of originality.
41. Shrek the Third
The third installment of the Shrek franchise, this movie follows Shrek as he must find the next heir to the throne of Far Far Away. While it had its moments, it was widely considered a disappointment compared to the first two films.
40. Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
In this sequel, the animals from the Central Park Zoo end up stranded in Africa, where they encounter their wild counterparts. It was praised for its humor and animation but criticized for its predictable plot.
39. Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas
This traditional animated film, based on the tale of Sinbad the Sailor, featured stunning visuals but failed to resonate with audiences due to its formulaic storyline and forgettable characters.
38. Home
An alien race known as the Boov invades Earth and relocates humans to a different planet. One resourceful girl befriends an outcast Boov and tries to find her mother. While visually impressive, the movie received mixed reviews for its uneven tone and pacing.
37. Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken
This upcoming film follows a teenager who discovers she’s a descendant of the legendary Kraken and must navigate the challenges of high school while embracing her mythical heritage.
36. Trolls World Tour
The sequel to the 2016 movie Trolls, this film expands the colorful world of the Trolls by exploring the different Troll tribes and their musical styles. When the rock Troll Queen Barb sets out to destroy all other genres of music, Poppy and Branch must embark on a journey to unite the tribes and save the diverse melodies from extinction.
35. Shrek Forever After
The fourth and final Shrek movie, this installment follows Shrek as he signs a deal with Rumpelstiltskin and finds himself in an alternate universe where he was never born. While it had its moments, it failed to recapture the magic of the first two films.
34. The Boss Baby
In this comedy, a young boy’s life is turned upside down when his parents bring home a suit-wearing, briefcase-carrying baby who is secretly a top executive on a mission. It was praised for its unique premise and humor but criticized for its uneven storytelling.
33. Turbo
This movie follows a garden snail who dreams of racing in the Indy 500. While it featured impressive animation and a star-studded voice cast, it was criticized for its predictable plot and lack of emotional depth.
32. The Road to El Dorado
Set in the Age of Discovery, this traditional animated film follows two con artists who stumble upon the legendary city of El Dorado. It was praised for its visuals and humor but criticized for its lack of originality.
31. Madagascar
The first installment of the Madagascar franchise, this movie follows a group of animals who escape from the Central Park Zoo and end up stranded in Madagascar. It was praised for its humor and animation but criticized for its thin plot.
30. Kung Fu Panda 4
The fourth installment of the Kung Fu Panda franchise, following the adventures of Po and his friends. While details are scarce, fans expect another visually stunning and emotionally resonant entry in the beloved series.
29. Flushed Away
This computer-animated comedy follows a pampered rat who is flushed down the toilet and ends up in the sewer world of Ratropolis. It was praised for its unique premise and visuals but criticized for its uneven pacing and lack of emotional depth.
28. The Croods
Set in the prehistoric era, this movie follows a family of cave-dwellers who must embark on a journey after their home is destroyed. It was praised for its stunning visuals and humor but criticized for its predictable plot.
27. Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
This traditionally animated film tells the story of a wild mustang stallion who is captured but never loses his spirit. It was praised for its breathtaking animation and mature themes but criticized for its lack of dialogue and emotional distance.
26. Trolls
The first installment of the Trolls franchise, this movie introduced the colorful and whimsical world of the Trolls and their adversaries, the Bergens. It was praised for its vibrant visuals and catchy music but criticized for its thin plot.
25. Penguins of Madagascar
A spin-off of the Madagascar franchise, this movie follows the adventures of the lovable penguin quartet. It was praised for its humor and animation but criticized for its lack of originality and emotional depth.
24. Monsters vs. Aliens
This comedy follows a group of monsters who are recruited by the government to combat an alien invasion. It was praised for its humor and visuals but criticized for its lack of emotional depth and character development.
23. Megamind
In this movie, a supervillain finally defeats his nemesis but finds himself lost without a purpose. It was praised for its unique premise and humor but criticized for its predictable plot and lack of emotional resonance.
22. Rise of the Guardians
Based on the book series, this movie follows a group of legendary guardians who must team up to protect the children of the world. It was praised for its visuals and unique premise but criticized for its convoluted plot and lack of emotional depth.
21. The Croods: A New Age
The sequel to The Croods, this movie follows the family as they encounter a more evolved family and must navigate the challenges of a changing world. It was praised for its humor and visuals but criticized for its lack of originality.
20. Kung Fu Panda 2
The sequel to the 2008 hit, this movie delves deeper into Po’s past and introduces a new villain. It was praised for its stunning animation, action sequences, and emotional depth but criticized for its predictable plot.
19. Over the Hedge
Based on the comic strip, this movie follows a group of woodland creatures who wake up from hibernation to find their forest has been taken over by suburbia. It was praised for its humor and visuals but criticized for its lack of emotional depth.
18. Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie
Based on the popular book series, this movie follows two pranksters who hypnotize their principal into becoming their comic book creation, Captain Underpants. It was praised for its irreverent humor and faithful adaptation but criticized for its uneven pacing.
17. Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted
The third installment of the Madagascar franchise follows the animals as they join a traveling circus in Europe. It was praised for its vibrant animation, humor, and inventive set pieces but criticized for its formulaic plot.
16. Mr. Peabody & Sherman
Based on the characters from the 1960s animated series, this movie follows a genius dog and his adopted human son as they travel through time. It was praised for its wit and visual flair but criticized for its uneven pacing and lack of emotional depth.
15. Kung Fu Panda 3
The third installment of the Kung Fu Panda series, this movie follows Po as he reunites with his biological father and must train a village of clumsy pandas. It was praised for its stunning animation, action sequences, and emotional themes but criticized for its formulaic plot.
14. The Bad Guys
Based on the book series, this movie follows a group of anthropomorphic animal criminals who attempt to go good. It was praised for its humor, visuals, and heartwarming message but criticized for its uneven pacing and lack of originality.
13. Antz
DreamWorks’ first feature-length animated film, this movie follows a neurotic ant who struggles to break from his conformity and win the ant princess’ affection. It was praised for its witty dialogue and unique premise but criticized for its derivative plot and lack of emotional depth.
12. The Prince of Egypt
This traditionally animated biblical epic tells the story of Moses and his journey to free the Israelites from Egyptian slavery. It was praised for its stunning visuals, powerful score, and mature themes but criticized for its uneven pacing and lack of humor.
11. How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
The third and final installment of the How to Train Your Dragon trilogy, this movie follows Hiccup and Toothless as they discover a hidden world of dragons and must make a difficult choice. It was praised for its stunning animation, emotional depth, and satisfying conclusion but criticized for its slow pacing.
10. Puss in Boots
A spin-off of the Shrek franchise, this movie follows the swashbuckling feline Puss in Boots as he teams up with an egomaniacal egg and a mastermind con artist. It was praised for its humor, action sequences, and Antonio Banderas’ voice performance but criticized for its derivative plot.
9. Abominable
This movie follows a young girl who discovers a yeti on the roof of her Shanghai apartment building and embarks on a journey to reunite him with his family. It was praised for its breathtaking animation, heartwarming story, and cultural representation but criticized for its predictable plot.
8. How to Train Your Dragon 2
The sequel to the 2010 hit, this movie follows Hiccup and Toothless as they discover a secret dragon utopia and must protect it from a new threat. It was praised for its stunning visuals, emotional depth, and complex themes but criticized for its uneven pacing.
7. Kung Fu Panda
The first installment of the Kung Fu Panda series, this movie follows a clumsy panda who dreams of becoming a kung fu master. It was praised for its stunning animation, humor, and heartwarming message but criticized for its predictable plot.
6. Shrek
The movie that launched the DreamWorks Animation franchise, this irreverent fairy tale follows an ogre who embarks on a quest to rescue a princess and find his swamp. It was praised for its subversive humor, memorable characters, and Mike Myers’ iconic voice performance.
5. Shrek 2
The sequel to the 2001 hit, this movie follows Shrek and Fiona as they visit the kingdom of Far Far Away and face opposition from Fiona’s parents. It was praised for its sharp satire, humor, and emotional depth but criticized for its uneven pacing.
4. Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
This stop-motion animated film follows the beloved duo as they investigate a mysterious beast that has been terrorizing a village’s vegetable gardens. It was praised for its clever humor, stunning visuals, and faithful adaptation of the characters.
3. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
The long-awaited sequel to the 2011 spin-off, this movie follows Puss in Boots as he embarks on an epic journey to restore his nine lives. It was praised for its stunning animation, emotional depth, and Antonio Banderas’ standout performance.
2. Chicken Run
This stop-motion animated film, set on a Yorkshire chicken farm, follows a group of chickens who hatch a plan to escape their evil owners. It was praised for its clever humor, stunning visuals, and unique premise but criticized for its lack of emotional depth.
1. How to Train Your Dragon
The first installment of the beloved trilogy, this movie follows a young Viking who befriends a dragon and must fight to protect their bond. It was praised for its stunning animation, emotional depth, and complex themes of friendship and acceptance.
There are all 46 Dreamworks Animated films from worst to best? What did you think of our ranking? Are there any you would swap? What would be your #46 and your #1? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to follow @NoConCulture on all social platforms!
