Summary
- DreamWorks creates visually stunning films that redefine animated beauty through vibrant colors and breathtaking scenery.
- DreamWorks' movies, from Madagascar to Kung Fu Panda, captivate with vivid visuals that immerse viewers in fantastical worlds.
- DreamWorks' animation is a blend of humor, heart, and innovation, producing visually captivating masterpieces that appeal to all audiences.
DreamWorks Animation has constantly redefined the boundaries of animated storytelling, blending cutting-edge technology with the soul of an artist. DreamWorks has spent decades proving that animation isn’t just for kids—it’s for anyone who wants to escape into worlds born out of words and brushstrokes.
Every Dreamworks Movie Franchise, Ranked
Dreamworks has put some of the most iconic animated franchises to the big screen, but which franchise is the very best?
From bioluminescent dragon utopias to forests that look like living paintings, these films don’t settle for the ordinary—they redefine what animated beauty can be. All of these movies have breathtaking shots that could be hung in a modern art gallery. This list celebrates DreamWorks Animation's boldest and most stunning visual treats, ranked by their ability to make viewers gasp, laugh, and occasionally forget to blink.
10 Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted
A Neon Circus
Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- June 6, 2012
- Runtime
- 95minutes
- Director
- Tom McGrath
- Cast
- Tom McGrath, Ben Stiller, Chris Rock
The Madagascar gang has always thrived on chaos, but Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted kicks it up several notches, especially after the circus lights come on. The crew takes the continent by storm, turning every European landmark into a slapstick stage. Directors Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath lean into the series' cartoony roots, making the characters feel even more animated with their elastic movements and zany physics.
Katy Perry’s "Firework" sequence is the chef’s kiss. The scene floods the screen with vibrant neon lights and rainbow trails, making it seem like a rave for all ages. The scene’s dazzling colors aren’t just eye candy; they mirror the characters’ transformation from zoo outcasts to showbiz legends.
9 Rise Of The Guardians
Jack Frost’s Mythical Past
Rise of the Guardians
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- November 21, 2012
- Runtime
- 97 minutes
- Director
- Peter Ramsey
- Cast
- Chris Pine, Alec Baldwin, Jude Law, Isla Fisher, Hugh Jackman, Dakota Goyo
Rise of the Guardians flips familiar childhood icons into full-fledged action heroes—Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and Sandman all get a dramatic glow-up. The directors, Tom McGrath, Conrad Vernon, and Eric Darnell, crafted an imaginative mythical world that feels pulled straight out of a dream.
Each Guardian’s realm is a spectacle, from the icy magic of the North Pole to the twinkling fantasy of the Tooth Fairy’s Palace. What really sets this movie apart is how every character’s setting matches the story’s emotional beats. It’s a shame this film didn’t do well at the box office, but definitely deserves a spot on every animation lover’s watchlist.
8 Abominable
Music That Reaches Mountain Top
Abominable
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- September 19, 2019
WHERE TO WATCH
- Cast
- Chloe Bennet, Albert Tsai, Tenzing Norgay Trainor, Joseph Izzo, Eddie Izzard, Sarah Paulson
- Runtime
- 97minutes
- Director
- Jill Culton, Todd Wilderman
Fans who love a good adventure with breathtaking scenery should check out Abominable. This collaboration with Shanghai’s Pearl Studio is a love letter to East Asia’s natural wonders, taking the audience from Shanghai’s neon skyline to the majestic, snow-capped Himalayas. The film follows the journey of a runaway Yeti, Everest, who crash-lands on a Shanghai rooftop. Yi and her two goofball friends step in, determined to help him get back to his Himalayan home.
The magic kicks in when the yeti turns nature into a canvas with its magical powers. Then there’s Yi’s violin solo, which creates this breathtaking aurora of swirling blues and purples that light up the night. It’s not just pretty; it’s an emotional high point, tying music to healing. The film is a cozy adventure that’s equal parts hilarious and heartwarming.
7 The Croods: A New Age
Prehistoric Paradise
The Croods: A New Age
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- November 25, 2020
WHERE TO WATCH
- Cast
- Nicolas Cage, Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds, Catherine Keener, Cloris Leachman, Clark Duke, Leslie Mann, Peter Dinklage, Kelly Marie Tran, Kailey Crawford, Chris Sanders, James Ryan, Melissa Disney, Joel Crawford, Januel Mercado, Ryan Naylor, Artemis Pebdani
- Runtime
- 95 minutes
- Director
- Joel Crawford
DreamWorks took its stone-age setting and gave it a candy-colored makeover. The Croods: A New Age is a film bursting with weird and wonderful creatures like punch-monkeys and wolf-spiders. Think The Flintstones meets Avatar, with all the wild energy and blue aliens swapped for Candy Crush monsters.
Every frame feels packed with life. One moment, the characters are gliding over golden canola flowers; the next, they're dodging wolf spiders in lush jungles. It's vibrant, it’s chaotic, and it totally works. The visuals aren’t just gorgeous—they’re part of how the story lands its laughs and emotional beats.
6 Kung Fu Panda 3
The Dragon Warrior’s Family Reunion
Kung Fu Panda 3
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- January 29, 2016
WHERE TO WATCH
- Cast
- Seth Rogen, Jack Black, Lucy Liu, Jackie Chan, Dustin Hoffman, J. K. Simmons, David Cross, Angelina Jolie, Kate Hudson, Bryan Cranston, James Hong
- Runtime
- 95 Minutes
- Director
- Jennifer Yuh, Alessandro Carloni
Kung Fu Panda 3 takes the franchise’s flair for Chinese-inspired cinematic shots to new heights. Every film in this series has striking visuals, but this one stands out as the most vibrant and visually captivating of the bunch.
5 Best Jack Black Video Game Appearances, Ranked
Jack Black has made quite a few video game cameos over the years, with these being among the most memorable of them all.
Po is living his best life as the Dragon Warrior until his long-lost panda dad, Li, shows up and whisks him off to a secret panda village, a lush, hidden gem tucked into the mountains that completely blows Po’s mind. The striking cinematography makes this movie a memorable blockbuster that blends humor, heart, and of course, Kung fu.
5 The Bad Guys
Heist Gone Right
The Bad Guys
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- Release Date
- April 22, 2022
- Cast
- Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Awkwafina, Craig Robinson, Anthony Ramos, Richard Ayoade, Zazie Beetz, Alex Borstein, Lilly Singh, Barbara Goodson, Dina Morrone, Michael Godere, Kelly Cooney Cilella, Walt Dohrn, David P. Smith, John Venzon, Jesse Averna
- Runtime
- 100 minutes
- Director
- Pierre Perifel
DreamWorks’ response to Spider-Verse was this slick, action-packed, comic book-style heist movie. The Bad Guys is a bold, stylistic pivot, embracing a fresh look inspired by graphic novels. The story revolves around a gang of smooth-talking animal crooks who’ve been pulling off shady jobs for ages.
Director Pierre Perifel sends up a Tarantino-style action film that’s fast, funny, and oozes with style. The film’s car chases are visual standouts that feel like a graphic novel sprung to life. The movie is a stylish thrill ride that’ll have fans rooting for these lovable con artists to turn over a new leaf.
4 Orion And The Dark
When Nightmares Get Cute
Orion and the Dark
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- February 2, 2024
WHERE TO WATCH
- Cast
- Jacob Tremblay, Paul Walter Hauser, Werner Herzog, Angela Bassett, Colin Hanks, Ike Barinholtz, Natasia Demetriou
- Runtime
- 92 Minutes
- Director
- Sean Charmatz
Orion and the Dark feels like a storybook flipped open and set in motion. The movie reimagines fear as a huggable ink blob that takes Orion, a nervous kid who’s terrified of the dark, on an incredible journey through the night.
Every frame in this movie is a visual treat, painting Orion’s adventure with dreamy hues and clever lighting that can switch from spooky to warm in a heartbeat. It’s a funny adventure that’s as easy on the eyes as it is on the soul, proving that DreamWorks can make even a kid’s nightmare look like a masterpiece.
3 How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
A Dragon Paradise
How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- February 22, 2019
WHERE TO WATCH
- Cast
- Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Jonah Hill, Cate Blanchett, Kristen Wiig, Craig Ferguson, T.J. Miller, Jay Baruchel, America Ferrera
- Runtime
- 104 Minutes
- Director
- Dean DeBlois
The third installment in the How to Train Your Dragon franchise wraps up the trilogy with a proper bang. In The Hidden World, Hiccup and Toothless are on a quest to find a secret dragon paradise. Enter: the Hidden World, a glowing underground wonderland that’s basically dragon heaven—and meet Toothless’s new crush, a dazzling Light Fury.
The hidden world beneath the ocean is one of the most jaw-dropping environments ever created for the screen. Picture this: tons of dragons swooping around with auroras lighting up the sky. The scene is pure cinema magic and effortlessly raises the bar set for animated epics.
2 Puss In Boots: The Last Wish
Live To Tell The Tale
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
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- December 21, 2022
WHERE TO WATCH
- Cast
- Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek Pinault, Harvey Guillén, Wagner Moura, Florence Pugh, Olivia Colman, Ray Winstone, Samson Kayo, John Mulaney, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Anthony Mendez, Kevin McCann, Bernardo de Paula, Betsy Sodaro, Artemis Pebdani, Conrad Vernon, Cody Cameron, Kailey Crawford, Al Rodrigo, Bob Persichetti, Miguel Matrai, Pilar Uribe, Heidi Gardner, Joel Crawford, Januel Mercado
- Runtime
- 103 minutes
- Director
- Joel Crawford
DreamWorks made a creative leap, abandoning the standard Shrek-universe look for a bold, painterly style for Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, and it totally paid off. The thrill-seeking, reckless life of Puss catches up with him after he burns through eight of his nine lives. Freaked out by Death, who’s a scary wolf with red eyes, Puss ditches his boots in the hopes of a quieter life.
Best Animated Movies To Watch If You Love Shrek
It's near impossible to capture the magic and humor of a masterpiece like Shrek, but these animated movies come surprisingly close to it.
The movie is a wild chase packed with laughs, heart, and a showdown that’s all about facing fear. The animation peaks when the Dark Forest glows with shifting colors and Puss’ battles with the Wolf pop with stark shadows and blood-red slashes. No wonder the movie was nominated for an Oscar, reigniting the flame that once made fans fall in love with the Shrek universe.
1 The Wild Robot
Surviving In The Wild
The Wild Robot
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- September 27, 2024
WHERE TO WATCH
- Cast
- Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Catherine O’Hara, Bill Nighy, Kit Connor, Stephanie Hsu, Mark Hamill, Matt Berry, Ving Rhames
- Runtime
- 101 Minutes
- Director
- Chris Sanders
DreamWorks’ latest gem, The Wild Robot, feels like a moving oil painting where every leaf, wave, and sunset appears hand-brushed. The story revolves around Roz, a shiny robot who crash-lands on a wild island. She’s totally out of her element, but when she ends up raising a little gosling named Brightbill, things get real cozy real fast.
The film is a masterclass in visual storytelling, breaking new ground with its stunning, impressionistic animation style. It’s a visual love letter to nature and connection, made more gorgeous with picturesque shots and breathtaking animation. DreamWorks delivered a stunning masterpiece that’ll be the new benchmark for animators of the next generation.
10 Highest-Grossing DreamWorks Movies, Ranked
The animated movies of DreamWorks tend to do consistently well at the box office, proving that there's always room for Shrek and company.