Ranking All Dreamworks Animated Movies From Worst To Best

About this list:

It should be noted that we are only including DreamWorks animated movies in this list, and there are still some that will be released this year and therefore cannot be included... for now.

Also remember that this is a subjective list, and your favorite might not be in the top spot! If that's the case, which one do you think should be at the top? | © DreamWorks

48. Spirit Untamed

It’s a shame that this movie exists in the first place. They took an interesting concept, like the original Spirit movie, and made a dive to the bottom with the quality of the animation, trying to sell it to little girls. Did you even know this movie existed? | © DreamWorks

47. The Boss Baby: Family Business

Do you know what’s worse than a terrible concept? A sequel to that terrible concept. Suffering from the same issues as the first part, it manages to add one more by lacking originality. Who is this movie for? | © DreamWorks

46. Over the Hedge

The major problem with Over the Hedge is that it’s tedious, features a detestable main character, and even the ones who are supposed to be the good guys or the voice of reason aren’t very pleasant either. It almost makes you root for the bear... | © DreamWorks

45. Shark Tale

I have to admit that, although Shark Tale is objectively terrible with its nightmare-inducing fish with faces and comedy based on puns of sea creatures with celebrity names, it can be fun for the wrong reasons. It’s a good movie to watch with friends and make fun of. Not even Will Smith can save it... | © DreamWorks

44. Trolls Band Together

A third Trolls movie? I don’t think anyone asked for the first or the second, so you can imagine where the watered-down version of the watered-down version stands. The little charm and magic the others had is completely gone here... | © DreamWorks

43. Trolls World Tour

Trolls World Tour has the problem of switching from a colorful movie about adorable trolls to one about rock, mohawks, and makeup on the eyes. And it wouldn’t have been bad if the voices could match the level of the original singers... | © DreamWorks

42. The Boss Baby

I really hate this movie. The Boss Baby seems to be the kind of comedy idea that a very select group of boomers would come up with. And under the (terrible) pretense that it’s a movie for kids, so who’s actually watching it? Better skip it. | © DreamWorks

41. Trolls

Unlike its sequels, at least Trolls is tolerable, and you feel like you’re watching something new, even if it’s not original. Of course, the idea of pushing toy sales is constantly lurking in the back of our minds, which is always a bit annoying... | © DreamWorks

40. Home

Home is the kind of movie no one has seen, and even though I swear I've watched it, I remember nothing about it. Is it... real? Did this actually happen? Anyways, more than sins or mistakes like other previous films, the problem lies in how average and forgettable it is. | © DreamWorks

39. Shrek the Third

Shrek the Third is definitely the worst of the Shrek movies, but honestly... it's not that bad. It has some of my favorite jokes from the franchise (Mr. Fiddlesworth), which is surprising considering it's the most forgettable of the four, but at least it scratches the itch left by the others. | © DreamWorks

38. Turbo

Turbo is part of DreamWorks' creatively broken era. It’s not that it’s a bad movie, and in fact, it can be a good way to pass the time, but think of Pixar's brilliant concepts and how this one came from a brainstorming session where someone said, “a snail, but fast,” and another replied, “brilliant!”. | © DreamWorks

37. Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken

You’ve seen Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken. Seriously. Even if you haven’t seen this movie as such, you’ve seen its message, jokes, concept, and characters in hundreds of other films that have done it much better. One of DreamWorks' more recent movies, and it suffers for being average in a desert of originality. | © DreamWorks

36. Mr. Peabody & Sherman

At least I have to admit that Mr. Peabody & Sherman can serve as a good way for kids to learn history, but you have to be a big fan of the main characters for it to be enjoyable. Otherwise, it feels too childish to be a real story. No, I don’t buy the “but it’s animated, it’s supposed to be childish” excuse, as other movies on this list will show later. | © DreamWorks

35. Antz

The studio's first film is a bizarre experience that must be seen as a subject of study, from its somewhat sexual connotations among ants, the raw and brutal natural world of insects, and finally, the fact that it was directed by Woody Allen. Seriously! Didn't I tell you that it doesn’t have to be childish just because it’s animated? | © DreamWorks

34. Puss in Boots

The problem with Puss in Boots is that it came at a time when we were starting to get tired of Shrek, following the disappointment that was the third installment. And it's not that it's a bad movie, but sometimes it's better for the secondary character to stay out of the spotlight if they don’t have strong supporting elements, and well, there’s a reason we haven’t seen Humpty Dumpty again. | © DreamWorks

33. Rise of the Guardians

Points for having a Santa Cossack, for being based on a novel, and for actually having some interesting visual designs. Of course, a lot of the fans of this movie are those who drool over Jack Frost. But when it comes down to it... it’s a bit odd, and it doesn’t feature characters that really stick in your memory. I struggle to identify a single interesting trait in any of them. | © DreamWorks

32. Abominable

I think Abominable suffers from the same issue as Home, being one of those forgettable movies that not many people watched. But you know what? At least it has a story and a message that manages to sustain the film despite its flaws. | © DreamWorks

31. The Croods

Although the sequel is much better, as you'll likely see later, The Croods at least introduced us to the original family. While some members are more likeable and memorable than others, the relationships between father, daughter, and son-in-law work very well, showing us that the conflicts within this triangle are timeless and can happen in any era. | © DreamWorks

30. Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie

Believe it or not, Captain Underpants turns out to be a very entertaining movie. Nothing to write home about, but it's the perfect choice if you're looking for quick entertainment. Short runtime, funny characters, and you really want to see these guys get away with it. | © DreamWorks

29. Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

Ranking the Madagascar movies comes down to personal taste, as there are arguments for and against each one. However, in my opinion, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa is the weakest of all. This is because our main characters have fewer lines of dialogue with the introduction of more secondary characters, and the villain left much to be desired. | © DreamWorks

28. Kung Fu Panda 4

Although I will always enjoy any of the Kung Fu Panda movies, the fourth installment feels like a reason to keep milking the money cow. However, it’s interesting to see the conclusion of Po’s journey, having to pass on the mantle of the Dragon Warrior... though it certainly could have been executed better. | © DreamWorks

27. Penguins of Madagascar

Very similar to the Minions, Penguins of Madagascar features secondary characters who became so popular that they got their own movie. But unlike the Minions, they’re not unbearable, and it’s the kind of film where, if you’re a fan, you’ll love it. And if not, at least you won’t hate it, and it might even give you a few laughs. | © DreamWorks

26. Kung Fu Panda 3

The reason Kung Fu Panda 3 remains solid is the reunion of Po with his panda village that we thought was extinct. It turns out to be a truly emotional moment, and an arc that seeks to be completed from the first movie, going from not belonging anywhere to finding where he belongs. It’s a shame the villain was "meh". | © DreamWorks

25. Shrek Forever After

I have to say I love the concept of Shrek Forever After in its beginnings. The idea of Shrek being forced to be something he's not from the first film is reduced and explored in this final one, as he seeks to reconnect with his ogre side while undergoing a midlife crisis. All that’s left to say is "grumble me." | © DreamWorks

24. The Bad Guys

Villains as protagonists who discover how to be heroes along the way? What a brilliant idea! Except, of course, that there’s already a movie from this studio that is much better. But the reason The Bad Guys is worth it lies in its anthropomorphic designs that manage to be charming, and how fast-paced and frenetic the animation is. Imagine an Ocean's Eleven for kids. | © DreamWorks

23. Orion and the Dark

It's a shame that Orion and the Dark turned out to be so average, and maybe that's why it’s in the middle of the list, because it has one of Hollywood's brightest screenwriters, Charlie Kaufman. However, the studio meddled with cuts and more cuts, resulting in a film with many layers where it’s clear they aimed to tell more than what they actually showed. | © DreamWorks

22. Bee Movie

I feel tempted to just leave the entire script of Bee Movie and say nothing more. But aside from the memes, what I love about this film is that it goes to extremes that a conventional animated movie would never think of reaching, and its originality is enough to earn it a lot of points. Of course, you have to be a fan of Jerry Seinfeld to enjoy it to the fullest. | © DreamWorks

21. Monsters vs. Aliens

It’s a crime how underrated Monsters vs. Aliens is. True, the protagonist and her companions are somewhat bland, but the villain is great, one of the best created by the studio. Not only that, but it’s full of scenes that are incredibly funny, even though they don’t involve the main characters. The intro with the meteorite? The president playing the keyboard? Yes, this was the DreamWorks that wasn’t afraid to take risks. | © DreamWorks

20. Madagascar

I have to give points to Madagascar for introducing us to a quartet of funny characters with well-defined personalities. Not only that, but the conflict between Alex and Marty is interesting and makes you wonder how this group of friends will end up. Additionally, I would dare to say that it is the most "realistic" of the three. | © DreamWorks

19. Joseph: King of Dreams

Although it doesn’t come close to the original film, Joseph: King of Dreams is a great "non-sequel" if you enjoyed The Prince of Egypt, maintaining a similar visual style with a biblical story that actually turns out to be intriguing. | © DreamWorks

18. Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted

Okay, it might be controversial to say this, but Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted is one of those rare cases where a third installment is better than the previous ones. Yes, everything is more ridiculous now, and we might even say they "jump the shark," but you know what? In a movie so packed with adrenaline and with hyperactive characters like Alex, it works really well. | © DreamWorks

17. Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron

I don’t even like horses, and I have to admit that Spirit is great. It shows historical events and a surprisingly personal and tragic story from a horse’s perspective. No, it’s not about a chatty animal or constant ridiculous action. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s very emotional. | © DreamWorks

16. Flushed Away

I love Aardman’s movies, although out of all their collaborations with DreamWorks, Flushed Away is the worst, probably because the protagonists are somewhat lacking. But everything else? Amazing. The toad is great, the rats are great, the stop-motion animation is top notch… what more can we ask from this studio? | © DreamWorks

15. The Croods: A New Age

I never thought that The Croods: A New Age would end up being so much better, considering how "meh" the first one was. But you know what? The plot is more interesting, the jokes are funnier, and the colors... Oh, the colors in this movie? Let’s not forget that primal hair metal ending, turning a film that started as a petty argument between two families into an epic battle of music, adrenaline, and top-notch visual effects. | © DreamWorks

14. Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit

You can’t beat English humor when you have Wallace & Gromit at the forefront. The Curse of the Were-Rabbit is one of Aardman’s best works, showcasing what the studio is capable of in both character creation and situations that are as funny as they are ridiculous, in the best possible way. | © DreamWorks

13. The Prince of Egypt

All the strengths of The Prince of Egypt lie in its visuals. Honestly, it’s impressive and a technical marvel considering it’s a 1998 film, and it still holds up even today. Don’t let the fact that it’s a biblical story discourage you: An epic and profound work awaits, from when DreamWorks was capable of being both art and entertainment. | © DreamWorks

12. Megamind

Remember when I told you there was a better movie about villains discovering they're heroes? There you have Megamind. Why? Because it manages to contrast it from several viewpoints: The one who’s always been the hero for being powerful, the one who can only be a villain because there’s no other option but then changes, and the one who gains powers and decides to be a villain. Chef’s kiss. But aside from that, it’s still a fun movie, and although not all the jokes land, it’s worth it for being one of the best executions of this concept today. | © DreamWorks

11. Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas

The animation in Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas... Oh my God, I could give it the number 1 spot just for the animation of the goddess Eris when she turns into shadows, or the scene where the constellations come to life, or the island that’s actually a giant creature, or... wait, I'm ruining the movie for you. Think of the animation in The Prince of Egypt, but surpassed and more entertaining. | © DreamWorks

10. Kung Fu Panda 2

The best villain of DreamWorks. That’s right, I said it, and there’s nothing you can say to change my mind. Lord Shen shows us from the beginning that, despite not being very strong (though his fighting style is amazing to watch in motion), he aims to make the world of martial arts obsolete with the arrival of gunpowder. And this movie responds by showing that martial arts are not about strength or power, but about maintaining balance. | © DreamWorks

9. How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World

The third film in the trilogy, and the one that brings Hiccup and Toothless's journey to an end. How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World shows us the conclusion of a friendship we have watched develop over the years, seeing them grow both as people and physically. It’s an emotional and moving ending, and while it may not be the best of the three, it’s still great, and a testament to the fact that you can have a solid trilogy of films without suffering the fate that many third installments do. | © DreamWorks

8. How to Train Your Dragon 2

Personally, How to Train Your Dragon 2 is my favorite of the three, maybe because the first one is a proven cliché formula that works, and the third one starts to lack originality. The second film strikes a perfect balance between a more mature and stronger Hiccup, but with more responsibilities and facing a more real threat. Plus, it’s the most emotional of the three, with the reunion with his mother and... well, you don’t want me to spoil it, do you? But if you’ve seen it, you know which moment I’m talking about... | © DreamWorks

7. Chicken Run

The best of Aardman's films, without a doubt, has to be Chicken Run. It’s a simple, direct, and fun premise that doesn’t waste time and knows what it’s doing and how to make you laugh. It’s a proven formula that works so well that it doesn’t feel like a cliché, but rather a masterpiece of how to entertain an audience in a short amount of time. But even aside from the fun chickens, it was with this film that they showed us what stop-motion is capable of, and how this animation style has a place not only in artistic films but also in entertaining ones. | © DreamWorks

6. Kung Fu Panda

Another film that gets straight to the point and knows exactly what it wants to tell us is the first Kung Fu Panda, the one that started Po's saga. And not only is the central message of the movie great, but it’s also filled with moments and lines that are as iconic as they are memorable, with a real lesson that you don’t have to be a child to learn and appreciate. Remember, anyone can be the Dragon Warrior. | © DreamWorks

5. Shrek 2

Although Shrek 2 is my favorite of the saga, I’m trying to be objective. And why do I think it’s so great? Because, suffering from the stigma of sequels, it has to create a plot that makes sense with the character's evolution, and not only did they succeed in this aspect, but it also introduces a bunch of secondary characters who would become legends of animated cinema. It has a good message and an excellent storyline without having to sacrifice its humor, both in its high-brow and low-brow moments. | © DreamWorks

4. The Road to El Dorado

“Miguel and Tulio! Tulio and Miguel! Mighty and powerful Gods!” How I love The Road to El Dorado. How everyone should love The Road to El Dorado. Its animation, its good use of 3D in a 2D film, its impeccable humor, its charming co-stars. All of this within a historical framework that is rarely told not only in animation but in cinema in general, which is very appreciated. And speaking of Chel... I’ll just say that we should call this place Cheldorado. | © DreamWorks

3. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

It’s incredible that Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is so high on this list, considering how low the first movie is. But you know what? The sequel is not only a marvel of animation, blending 2D strokes into a 3D movie like Into the Spider-Verse, but it also tackles somewhat adult themes for an animated film, focusing on accepting and facing death rather than fleeing from it because it’s inevitable. Brutal, right? But it works really well. | © DreamWorks

2. How to Train Your Dragon

I think you know why How to Train Your Dragon is so high on this list. Yes, true, I said it was a proven and somewhat cliché formula, but imagining an entire world of dragons, creating their designs, their likes, their weaknesses, their interactions with the world around them... It’s truly magical. It’s like Western Pokémon. Plus, the relationship between Hiccup and Toothless is something really special, taking it to places you wouldn’t expect. I mean, did you expect that to happen at the end? | © DreamWorks

1, Shrek

In the end, there is only one king, an unbeatable movie, and that is Shrek. It is undefeated in every way, from the story and characters to even outside the production itself. The memes are top-notch, and the behind-the-scenes story where it started as a protest and satire against Disney's fairy tales, only to surpass them and even win the first-ever Oscar for animation.

It’s truly a testament to what creativity and perseverance can achieve when passion is involved. And with all this deep mumbo jumbo aside, it remains the most fun and entertaining movie from the studio. Even if the animation starts to show its age, it actually works in its favor to bring us this somewhat bizarre, ridiculous, and highly entertaining world. | © DreamWorks