Summary
One of the leading competitors to Disney and Pixar’s reign over the box office isDreamWorks, who often produce more experimental animated movies in terms of design and story, along with a few franchise goodies for kids and adults alike.DreamWorksis responsible for some great animated franchises, and it’s no surprise that they’ve had their fair share of box office success, providing some of the highest-grossing animated movies of all time.
Whilst DreamWorks might not roll through the competition like Disney’s animated movies, and with the reverence of Pixar, they still produce some great movies. After all, this is the studio that brought audiencesShrek, which begs the question of the highest-grossing DreamWorks movies, and where exactlyShrekranks.
10Puss in Boots
Worldwide Gross: $554,987,477
Leaving Far, Far Away behind for a story that doesn’t involve everyone’s favorite green Ogre, Shrek, Puss in Boots acts as the origin of the iconic kitty legend. The involvement of Puss in Boots has the character come up against other Fairy Tale icons, witha DreamWorks twist. The likes of Humpty Dumpty and Jack and Jill all help to make an engaging and unique family-orientated action/adventure, proving why it’s no surprise Puss in Boots did well at the box office in 2011.
TheShrekfilms have always been beloved, so to give the iconic and fan-favorite Puss in Boots his own spin-off movie a year after the finalShrekfilm was a great idea that saw a large box office boost. It’s just a shame that the 2022 sequel didn’t fair as well, even if the animation and story were incredible.
9The Croods
Worldwide Gross: $587,266,745
Leaving the fantasy and fairy tale worlds of dragons and ogres behind,DreamWorks goes back to simpler timeswith a caveman family inThe Croods. With such a primitive story,The Croodsallows DreamWorks to experiment with inventive and creative creatures and dangers that await a family that just wants to find themselves a new home in a wholesome comedy.
The box office forThe Croodscould be attributed to many things. Not only is the star-studded cast of Nicolas Cage, Ryan Reynolds, and Emma Stone something to look out for, but the animation style, jokes, and animals featured are something kids can enjoy.
8Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
Worldwide Gross: $603,900,354
The iconic lion, zebra, giraffe, and hippo find themselves lost in Africa, where their newfound home seems to be rather competitive, but also somewhat of a paradise. Seeing the hilarious characters of the Madagascar movies interacting with wild animals of their own species and beyond is a fun time for all, especially with the different plots that allow the characters to get up to mischief in all directions.
Considering the classic status of the firstMadagascarfilm, it’s no surprise thatMadagascar: Escape 2 Africadid better than the first. The 2008 sequel made plenty of money, and that’s most likely attributed to the love for the first film’s characters and cast.
7How to Train Your Dragon 2
Worldwide Gross: $621,537,519
How to Train Your Dragon 2takes the franchise to new adventurous heights, with the lived-in world featuring dragon riders and fun relationships between said dragons and their riders. The central focus on Hiccup and Toothless is as wholesome as ever, but this time around, there’s more of a mature story at work that involves family and the lengths those will take to protect them.
How to Train Your Dragon 2is a lovely family film that indulges in emotion and adventure, allowing kids and adults alike to enjoy the story for its heart and humor. The notable improvement over animation from its previous movie is also a testament to DreamWorks’ evolution and the deserving box office ofHow to Train Your Dragon 2.
6Kung Fu Panda
Worldwide Gross: $632,091,832
Jack Black always seems like a recipe for success, especially in 2008.Jack Black stars as Po, the overweight and incredibly clumsy panda who has dreams of becoming part of the Furious Five, an incredibly powerful and reserved group of martial artists. When Po accidentally becomes the Dragon Warrior and is tasked with protecting the Valley of Peace, he must discover who he is, and accept his destiny.
Kung Fu Pandais easily one of DreamWorks’ best movies. It’s hilarious with almost every scene dedicated to a joke that lands.The success ofKung Fu Pandacouldn’t be more obvious, as there have been multiple shows and movies, but it seems like Po’s first adventure was its most successful thanks to a riveting villain and an engaging story.
5Kung Fu Panda 2
Worldwide Gross: $665,692,281
Po and the Furious Five return to protect that which lies beyond the humble Valley of Peace when a sinister peacock threatens the entirety of China with the future weapons of warfare.Kung Fu Panda 2isn’t just about anotherbattle with a villain, but about inner peace, and Po’s acceptance and understanding of his past as a panda with a tragic backstory.
WhilstKung Fu Panda 2only did slightly better than its previous movie, it still made a great amount of money and was even more successful internationally. Asian countries like China provided much of the box office forKung Fu Panda 2, and it was most likely due to the adoring characters and Chinese setting.
4Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted
Worldwide Gross: $746,912,274
Leaving the setting of Africa behind, Marty, Alex, Melman and Gloria take shelter alongside a wild and talented traveling circus group. Their introduction into a new world of talent and discipline strengthens their bond as a family whilst they try to evade the animal control squad.
Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wantedhas a huge boost in box office numbers compared to previous entries in the series. Perhaps it was due to the time between the 2nd and 3rd movie, or the word of mouth of hilarity and a worthy finale for the globe-trotting animals who originally came from a New York zoo.
3Shrek Forever After
Worldwide Gross: $752,600,867
Shrek’s fourth movie involves the green ogre going through a bit of a mid-life crisis, one that Rumpelstiltskin manipulates into causing Shrek to sign a deal that would forever alter his life and the fate of the ones he loves the most, where Rumpelstiltskin rules Far, Far Away and Shrek’s name is all but forgotten. It’s a serious finale in a potentially dark future for Shrek and his friends.
TheShrekfranchise has always been a hit, so it’s no surprise that people turned up in droves to see the fourth and final film. Whilst it’s not the franchise’s best in terms of critical reception and even box office, it’s still a funShrekmovie, and fans might adore it more in later years as they awaitShrek 5in 2026.
2Shrek the Third
Worldwide Gross: $813,367,380
There’s been a death in the family, and the tragic loss of King Harold must see Shrek step up to become king and accept new responsibilities in the land of Far, Far Away. A life of rule doesn’t befit an onion-loving ogre, so a journey across oceans to find a wild wizard and a rebellious Arthur begins to give the crown to someone burdened by responsibility.
Shrek the Thirdis probably the worst of theShrekmovies, even if it features a good dynamic between Donkey and Puss in Boots, as well as the return of Prince Charming as a villain. Despite negative receptions,Shrek the Thirdremains the second highest-grossingShrekmovie and almost broke a billion dollars in 2007.
1Shrek 2
Worldwide Gross: $932,396,221
Shrek and Fionaare forced out of their swap to the Kingdom of Far, Far Away, where they must embrace the things Shrek fears the most: meeting his in-laws, who just so happen to be the King and Queen. Shrek doesn’t exactly feel welcome in Far, Far Away, and his status as an ogre causes him to doubt how he can be loved the way he is.
Shrek 2threw the green ogre to new heights and proved that even swamp-loving ogres can suffer from success. The fact thatShrek 2made so much money is no surprise, as the first Shrek is an utter classic, and the sequel is remembered even better for its jokes, characters, and story. The near-billion-makingShrek 2deserves its reception, but DreamWorks will always be held to this standard.
