Dreamworks Movies
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Dreamworks History
What happens when a Hollywood supergroup sets out to build an animation studio from the ground up? Iconic movies, of course—with loveable, irreverent ants, pandas, ogres, dragons, and more, the kinds of characters we usually only see come to life in our dreams.
Born the product of a thinktank rostered by former Disney executive Jeffrey Katzenberg, music executive David Geffen, and entertainment multi-hyphenate Steven Spielberg, DreamWorks (a.k.a. DreamWorks SKG) began as a collection of talented artists brought together to push the boundaries of animation as computer-generated feature films were becoming more and more prevalent in Hollywood. Their first feature-length movie, Antz (1998), stood out not only for its fresh aesthetic, but also for catering to an older audience (which set it apart from emergent, family-oriented Pixar). Subsequent films The Prince of Egypt (1998) and Chicken Run (2000) further solidified DreamWorks as a company that celebrates variety—championing envelope-pushing visuals (CGI) and classic animation techniques (traditional illustration, stop motion) alike. But it was in 2001 that DreamWorks generated its first true classic: Shrek.
Starring Mike Myers as the titular Scottish broguing ogre, Eddie Murphy as his unlikely best pal Donkey, and a robust cast of fairytale familiars, Shrek (2001) completely took the movie world by storm—so much so that it won the first Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film.
With an Oscar in its trophy case, DreamWorks ascended rapidly, churning out not just quality standalone films, but iconic franchises. Madagascar (2005), Kung Fu Panda (2008), How To Train Your Dragon (2010), Trolls (2016), and Puss In Boots (2011) would all grow into highly-grossing movie series. And with this kind of success only comes bigger, better things: In 2016, Comcast’s NBCUniversal arm acquired DreamWorks to the tune of $3.8 billion.
More About Dreamworks
DreamWorks’ latest feature, Kung Fu Panda 4 (2024), showcases the return of fan-favorite Jack Black in all his black and white furry glory.
So what’s next for DreamWorks? Well, nearly 30 years into the company’s story, we still can never predict what’s coming over the horizon. But we can surely expect to do one thing, time and time again: dream BIG.
Dreamworks Studio Movies
Dreamworks Studio News
DreamWorks Animation is venturing into a new space: science fiction. Now the company is venturing into the future with a new movie called THE WILD ROBOT.
Seven years ago, DreamWorks Animation took us back to the dawn of human history, and now it is almost time to see what happens next.
Here's a little secret about the KUNG-FU PANDA movies: They have surprisingly great action. When the last movie arrived in 2016, the series featured some of the best action you could find outside of top-shelf anime.
