Although the movies of DreamWorks have grossed over $16 billion worldwide, the studio has had more losses than hits in the 2020s — but two upcoming movies could save it. DreamWorks, once a titan of the animated film industry, is renowned for creating some of the best animated movie franchises. When Shrek first roared into theaters in 2001, it not only set the tone for the studio’s distinctive style but also brought in an astounding $491 million globally (via The Numbers). The Shrek franchise has grossed over $4 billion in total, and that figure is only going to get bigger given that the Puss in Boots: The Last Wish ending sets up Shrek 5.
Following Shrek’s lead, the Madagascar franchise wrangled a total global box office of over $2.2 billion. While Pixar might be the gold standard when it comes to creating heartfelt animated stories that all ages can relate to, DreamWorks is the gold standard for creating audience-pleasing, long-running franchises that gross billions. However, as the years have progressed, DreamWorks has found itself grappling with dwindling box office returns. That reached a new low in 2023, as Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken was a box office bomb. The studio, which once churned out consecutive blockbusters, has experienced a palpable decline in its once unrivaled box office consistency.
DreamWorks’ 2020s Box Office Is The Worst In Studio History
DreamWorks’ 2020s got off to a terrible and unfortunate start, as the studio released Trolls: World Tour just as COVID-19 was beginning to spread on a global level. As a result, the movie made a catastrophic $49 million worldwide. However, while that release can be chalked up to bad luck, DreamWorks’ following movies suffered a similar fate. Following the Trolls sequel, the studio released Spirit Untamed in 2021, which made just over $42 million, and The Boss Baby: Family Business, which made only $146 million against an $82 million budget.
The studio has seen slight success in the 2020s. The Croods: A New Age made $214 million against a $65 million budget, though it would have only marginally broken even following marketing and exhibition costs. The Bad Guys was a surprise hit, making $250 million against a $70 million budget, and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish was DreamWorks Animation’s biggest hit since 2019’s How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, making $484 million worldwide. Nevertheless, the studio’s failures in the 2020s far outweigh its successes, especially with Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken, which lost DreamWorks Animation almost $100 million.
Trolls Band Together & Kung Fu Panda 4 Can Save DreamWorks
All hope is not lost for DreamWorks, as the studio has two upcoming movies, both of which are part of established IPs. Trolls Band Together and Kung Fu Panda 4 could be the panacea the studio desperately needs. While Trolls: World Tour only made $48 million worldwide against a $110 million budget, there’s an asterisk next to that figure, as it was released just as the COVID-19 pandemic hit. In any other situation, the movie would likely have been a success. 2016’s Trolls made $346 million worldwide, and it’s likely that the threequel will make closer to that number. It might even surpass it.
The Kung Fu Panda franchise has made almost $2 billion worldwide, with an average of $600 million per movie. Kung Fu Panda 4 is even more important now following the huge box office bomb that is Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken. Luckily, it has been over six years since Kung Fu Panda 3 debuted, and there’s a huge demand for the fourth film. While DreamWorks is developing the almost guaranteed box office hit that is Shrek 5, Kung Fu Panda 4 stands the best chance of immediately saving the studio given its March 2024 release date.
