10 Best DreamWorks Movies, Ranked

DreamWorks has a plethora of amazing animated films, but a select few rise to the top as the very best of the best. Often described as the jazz to Disney’s classical music, DreamWorks is by far one of the most impressive and well-known Western animation studios outside of Disney’s employ, telling more unorthodox stories compared to Mickey Mouse’s safer narratives. Coming a long way since the release of their first feature animation, Antz, in 1998, DreamWorks’ recent animated movie domination has added to its legacy of amazing movies.

Identifying the greatest hits among DreamWorks’ impressive catalog of films comes down largely to a matter of taste, but tangible variables can help measure how the best of the studio’s offerings stack up to one another. From the art style, critical response, and box office numbers of DreamWorks’ best films, a solid picture of which films have been the most iconic for the animation titan begins to develop. Whether it’s an original, genre-breaking trendsetter or a sequel that puts Disney’s direct-to-video animated spinoffs to shame, DreamWorks’ filmography is full of impressive contenders.

10
Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011)

A shockingly thoughtful follow-up to the original

As shocking as the quality of Jack Black’s Kung Fu Panda was, few could’ve imagined a follow-up film would go on to nearly outdo its predecessor. Deepening Po’s backstory with some surprisingly tragic drama and developing his character with real Eastern philosophy, Kung Fu Panda 2 let audiences know that the franchise wasn’t about to start pulling its punches. While it harbors some truly standout moments, the film does struggle a bit with pacing compared to the rest of the Kung Fu Panda films, holding it back from being in DreamWorks’ upper echelon of movies.

9
Chicken Run (2000)

An understated stop-motion masterpiece

Produced in partnership with legendary stop-motion studio Aardman Animations, Chicken Run was instrumental in reigniting moviegoers’ appreciation for the painstaking art form one frame at a time. The quirky jailbreak story of the rebellious chickens on a small Yorkshire farm has an unmistakable charm to it, with understated British humor that ages like a fine wine, paired with a genuine sense of terror sure to convert many viewers into veganism. Even if it isn’t the most groundbreaking story, Aardman’s first foray into feature filmmaking is a true feather in DreamWorks’ cap.

8
How To Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)

A worthy return to a magical world of dragons

DreamWork’s second expedition to the lands of Berk proved that the success of the first film was no flash-in-the-pan fluke, with returning director Dean DeBlois delivering another breathtaking vision of soaring above through the skies on the backs of dragons. The sequel expands on the lore of the Viking world while introducing new dragons and upping the stakes with the series’ first on-screen human death. How To Train Your Dragon 2 was utterly snubbed at the 2015 Oscars when it lost out to Big Hero 6. If it wasn’t for the forgettable villain, How To Train Your Dragon 2 could’ve flown even higher.

7
Kung Fu Panda (2008)

The premiere modern martial arts comedy

Few could’ve guessed that the action comedy starring Jack Black as an overweight Panda would’ve been a movie of such genuine quality, but the first Kung Fu Panda blows away audience expectations. Not only is Black’s comedic timing as sharp as ever, but the film’s perfect hero’s journey and intricately choreographed fight sequences escalate it from a passing family movie to a spectacle of animation prowess. Some of the dialogue does drag the film down at times, with Black’s cringeworthy lines putting a blemish on the film’s otherwise mirror polish, but the martial arts romp still holds up today.

6
Megamind (2010)

An all-star cast firing on all cylinders

Just as the superhero genre was beginning to establish its chokehold on Hollywood, Megamind came along to shatter audience expectations for the genre. Beyond the all-star cast of comedy actors at the top of their game and the impressively-aged animation, Megamind presents a poignant message about doing the right thing for the wrong reasons, and vice versa, that many viewers simply need to hear. Even though the film echoes The Incredibles and Despicable Me, it’s a shame that Megamind‘s legacy is besmirched by disappointing follow-ups.

5
The Prince Of Egypt (1998)

An epic in the true sense of the word

The Prince of Egypt is a biblical saga on par with the likes of Ben-Hur in terms of scope, beauty, and sheer awe. The film is at its core a tale of faith and family told through the lens of two brothers, torn apart by their allegiances and duty to a higher power. Hans Zimmer’s euphoric score and the breathtaking imagery of Egypt’s wind-swept landscape make the saga a true marvel for the senses. That being said, the film pushes the PG rating past its breaking point with some macabre divine fury straight out of the Old Testament.

4
Puss In Boots: The Last Wish (2022)

Put the feline fencer on par with Shrek

After the lukewarm reception of Puss in Boots’ first solo film within the Shrek universe, DreamWorks cooked up a dazzlingly-animated sequel that manages to be thoughtful, funny, and heartwarming all at once. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish uses its jaw-dropping, painting-like animation to expertly weave a narrative that manages to juggle three memorable antagonists across the perilous journey of everyone’s favorite fearless hero. Although the inspiration of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse isn’t exactly subtle, The Last Wish is undoubtedly one of DreamWorks’ heaviest hitters, balancing action, comedy, romance and fear on the tip of a sword.

3
How To Train Your Dragon (2010)

A high-flying smash hit

Loosely based on the children’s book of the same name, How to Train Your Dragon presents a heartwarming tale of the bond between man and beast, emphasizing the importance of questioning the status quo and sticking up for friends. Toothless’ wide eyes and playful grin greet viewers like an old friend before taking them soaring through the clouds with some of the most impressive 3D flying sequences ever created, bearing a distinctly “live-action” feel. The poignant performances and effortlessly adorable bond between the downtrodden Hiccup and his faithful mount can’t be overlooked as one of DreamWorks’ strongest features.

2
Shrek (2001)

An enduring classic that paved the way for others

Even though Shrek has become near-ubiquitous with his meme status in the present day, there’s a real beating sentiment behind pop culture’s less-than-ironic love for the grumpy green ogre. The original Shrek was groundbreaking for a reason, blending modern humor that toed the line of its PG rating with a fairytale world that broke the mold of Disney’s medieval fare by upsetting the status quo. Despite the baggage of some dated animation and references, Shrek continues to be DreamWorks’ most beloved and iconic film series thanks to the layered success of its first entry.

1
Shrek 2 (2004)

Evolved the comedy of Shrek to new heights

One of the rare instances in which a sequel managed to outdo the original, Shrek 2 took everything that made Shrek work and doubled down. Adding to the number of jokes per minute, hilarious modern references, and the core cast with the addition of Puss in Boots, Shrek 2 elevated the franchise from a mere standout comedy film to an absolute icon. Between the lively musical finale, endlessly entertaining additions to the roster of fairytale characters, and the infectious energy of its humor, Shrek 2 remains the magnum opus of DreamWorks to this day.