15 Highest-Grossing DreamWorks Movies Ranked By Box Office

May 6, 2024, 4:40 p.m.

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15 Highest-Grossing DreamWorks Movies Ranked By Box Office

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Summary DreamWorks' highest-grossing movies are from established franchises like Shrek and How to Train Your Dragon.

Box office success doesn't always correlate with quality, but can indicate how resonant a movie is.

DreamWorks' goal is to produce movies that people will pay to see, often through strategic marketing and highlighting the cast.

Most of DreamWorks' highest-grossing movies are contained within a few specific franchises. The movies DreamWorks puts out tend to be stunning hits or total flops, both among critics and at the box office. The Shrek and How to Train Your Dragon movies were, unsurprisingly, some of the most lucrative for DreamWorks. This shows that the studio's biggest box office successes are the result of its best filmmaking, as well as love for an established franchise, or strategic marketing highlighting a noteworthy cast.

However, a few movies that were critical failures and stand out as some of the worst DreamWorks features still managed to turn a profit. Box office numbers are not a true indicator of quality, but they do tend to reveal something about how resonant or entertaining the movie is. DreamWorks is a business like all major Hollywood studios, and its ultimate goal is to produce movies that people will pay to see for one reason or another.

Related 10 Best DreamWorks Movies, Ranked From Shrek to The Prince of Egypt to Megamind, DreamWorks animation has managed to put out animated films that push the boundaries of the medium.

15 How To Train Your Dragon (2010)

Domestic Gross: $217.6 Million | Worldwide Total: $494.9 Million

How to Train Your Dragon Where to Watch *Availability in US stream

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buy Not available Not available Not available A young Viking befriends a dragon amid an ongoing conflict between the two groups and makes discovers that will affect both. Director Dean DeBlois , Chris Sanders Release Date March 10, 2010 Writers Cressida Cowell , William Davies , Dean DeBlois , Chris Sanders Cast Jay Baruchel , Gerard Butler , Craig Ferguson , America Ferrera , Jonah Hill , Christopher Mintz-Plasse Runtime 1h 38m

Movie Rotten Tomatoes score Metacritic score Audience score How to Train Your Dragon 99% 75% 91%

It is possible that How to Train Your Dragon did not gross as much as some of the studio's other movies due to fans of Cressida Cowell's books being put off by the drastic changes that were made.

The How to Train Your Dragon movies are doubtlessly highlights of DreamWorks' repertoire, blending the studios' characteristic exaggerated world-building with a more serious story. DreamWorks can only hope that the live-action How to Train Your Dragon remake will be as good as the original. It is possible that How to Train Your Dragon did not gross as much as some of the studio's other movies due to fans of Cressida Cowell's books being put off by the drastic changes that were made. Regardless, How to Train Your Dragon was a critical and commercial success and soon became a DreamWorks staple.

All box office information contained in this list is according to boxofficemojo.com.

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14 Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016)

Domestic Gross: $143.5 Million | Worldwide Total: $521 Million

Movie Rotten Tomatoes score Metacritic score Audience score Kung Fu Panda 3 86% 66% 79%

Kung Fu Panda 3 is demonstrative of the franchise's downward slide in quality. However, it was not immediately apparent that this would be the case with the third installment, following the success of the first two. With the promise of Jack Black and the rest of the Kung Fu Panda cast returning for another hilarious adventure, Kung Fu Panda 3 did well enough at the box office. It just didn't do as well as the previous movies once reviews established that it was not quite as good. However, the studio is still possibly making Kung Fu Panda 5.

13 How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019)

Domestic Gross: $160.8 Million | Worldwide Total: $521.8 Million

How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World Where to Watch *Availability in US stream

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The third and final installment in the film franchise, How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, follows the exploits of Hiccup and his dragon as they guide their village forward. Now chief of his village, Hiccup fulfills his dream of creating a peaceful dragon utopia; Toothless’ discovery of an untamed, elusive mate draws the Night Fury away. However, when danger mounts at home and Hiccup’s reign as village chief is tested, both dragon and rider must make impossible decisions to save their kind. Director Dean DeBlois Release Date February 22, 2019 Studio(s) DreamWorks Distribution Writers Cressida Cowell , Dean DeBlois Cast Christopher Mintz-Plasse , Jonah Hill , Cate Blanchett , Kristen Wiig , Craig Ferguson , T.J. Miller , Jay Baruchel , America Ferrera Runtime 104 Minutes prequel(s) How to Train Your Dragon , How to Train Your Dragon 2

Movie Rotten Tomatoes score Metacritic score Audience score How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World 90% 71% 87%

How to Train Your Dragon also got worse as the franchise continued — barely. The final movie in the trilogy still tells a heartrending story of friendship and sacrifice, even if the villain is essentially a carbon copy of the previous movie's antagonist. The trailers advertised a new dragon who would serve as a love interest for Toothless, and Hiccup at some point narrating the story as though dragons were a thing of the past. How to Train Your Dragon fans came to the theater one last time for a satisfying conclusion that illustrates how much the characters have grown up.

12 The Boss Baby (2017)

Domestic Gross: $175 Million | Worldwide Total: $528 Million

The Boss Baby Seven-year-old Tim suddenly finds his share of parental love plummeting when his new baby brother (Alec Baldwin) arrives -- wearing a suit and toting a briefcase -- and makes it clear to everyone that he's in charge. But when Tim discovers that Boss Baby is on a secret mission, he reluctantly agrees to team up with his pint-sized sibling for an epic adventure that might just change the world! Director Tom McGrath Release Date March 31, 2017 Studio(s) 20th Century Fox , DreamWorks Animation Writers Marla Frazee , Michael McCullers Cast Alec Baldwin , Steve Buscemi , Lisa Kudrow Tobey Maguire , Jimmy Kimmel , ViviAnn Yee Runtime 97 minutes Sequel(s) The Boss Baby: Family Business

Movie Rotten Tomatoes score Metacritic score Audience score The Boss Baby 53% 50% 51%

Despite mediocre at best reviews from critics, The Boss Baby earned back its budget of $125 million and then some, according to the 2.5 rule. While the premise itself reeks of being low-quality entertainment, DreamWorks was able to sell the movie with Alec Baldwin in the lead role of a smart-talking, businessman baby. With some other comedic stars like Jimmy Kimmel and Lisa Kudrow thrown in, it was enough to draw an audience. However, DreamWorks' luck did not hold out with The Boss Baby 2: Family Business, when it became clear that the concept was not all that great.

The 2.5 rule states that a movie needs to gross two and a half times its budget to turn a profit, with marketing and additional post-production costs factored in.

11 Madagascar (2005)

Domestic Gross: $193.6 Million | Worldwide Total: $542 Million

Madagascar (2005) Where to Watch *Availability in US stream

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buy Not available Not available Not available Four zoo animals from New York City unexpectedly find themselves stranded on the island of Madagascar. Unaccustomed to the wild, the lion, zebra, giraffe, and hippo embark on a hilarious adventure as they adapt to their new surroundings and the quirky lemurs who call the island home. Director Eric Darnell , Tom McGrath Release Date May 27, 2005 Studio(s) DreamWorks Animation Writers Mark Burton , Billy Frolick , Eric Darnell , Tom McGrath Cast Ben Stiller , Chris Rock , David Schwimmer , Jada Pinkett Smith , Sacha Baron Cohen , Cedric the Entertainer , Andy Richter Runtime 86 minutes

Movie Rotten Tomatoes score Metacritic score Audience score Madagascar 55% 57% 67%

Despite achieving only average reviews from the start, the Madagascar movies would go on to become one of DreamWorks' longest-running franchises. It has one of the most marketable casts of the studio's movies, with a main group of four core characters all voiced by comedy icons. Supporting characters such as the espionage-adept squad of penguins and the party-inclined lemur King Julien only made the movie funnier in the most outrageous way possible. Madagascar's strangely entertaining story set up several more sequels for success, even though its ratings would only decline.

10 Puss In Boots (2011)

Domestic Gross: $149.2 Million | Worldwide Total: $555 Million

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buy Not available Not available Not available Puss in Boots from the Shrek movies allies with an estranged childhood friend and a fellow feline outlaw to find the legendary golden goose and clear his name. Director Chris Miller Release Date October 28, 2011 Writers Tom Wheeler Cast Antonio Banderas , Salma Hayek Pinault , Zach Galifinakis , Billy Bob Thornton , Amy Sedaris , Constance Marie Runtime 90 minutes

Movie Rotten Tomatoes score Metacritic score Audience score Puss in Boots 86% 65% 68%

Antonio Banderas' Puss in Boots is one of the few characters from all the Shrek movies who could carry his own spinoff. Puss' charisma combined with the enduring popularity of Shrek was enough to get people to buy into the idea of a spinoff, while the movie itself did the rest. The new characters in Puss in Boots were well-written to match Puss' personality. The movie has a great sense of humor and lets Puss be a beloved outlaw — the story could only be made better by the sheer artistic style of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.

Related 10 DreamWorks Movies That Should Get Live-Action Remakes After How To Train Your Dragon A live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon is finally happening, and these 10 other DreamWorks movies should also receive the same treatment.

9 The Croods (2013)

Domestic Gross: $187 Million | Worldwide Total: $587.2 Million

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buy Not available Not available Not available The Croods is a DreamWorks animated movie that follows a prehistoric family as they embark on a journey to find a new home after their cave is destroyed. The film's all-star cast includes Nicolas Cage, Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds, Catherine Keener, Clark Duke, Cloris Leachman, Randy Thom, and Chris Sanders. Director Chris Sanders Release Date March 22, 2013 Studio(s) 20th Century Writers Chris Sanders Cast Nicolas Cage , Ryan Reynolds , Emma Stone , Chris Sanders Runtime 98minutes Sequel(s) The Croods: A New Age

Movie Rotten Tomatoes score Metacritic score Audience score The Croods 72% 55% 77%

The stacked cast including Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds, Nicolas Cage, and Catherine Keener also doubtlessly contributed to The Croods' box office success.

The Croods had the potential to be a new great DreamWorks franchise, even if this did not completely pan out. The pre-historical setting taps into an oddly popular outlet established by previous franchises such as Ice Age and The Flintstones. The stacked cast including Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds, Nicolas Cage, and Catherine Keener also doubtlessly contributed to The Croods' box office success. Emboldened by the movie's relative success, DreamWorks and its affiliate studios went on to produce a movie sequel. The Croods: A New Age received even better reviews than the first, leading to a spinoff TV show.

8 Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008)

Domestic Gross: $180 Million | Worldwide Total: $603.9 Million

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buy Not available Not available Not available Alex, Marty, Gloria, and Melman attempt to get home to New York City but crash-land in Africa, where they meet Alex's long-lost parents. Director Eric Darnell , Tom McGrath Release Date October 30, 2008 Cast Ben Stiller , Chris Rock , David Schwimmer , Jada Pinkett Smith , Sacha Baron Cohen , Cedric the Entertainer Runtime 89 minutes

Movie Rotten Tomatoes score Metacritic score Audience score Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa 64% 61% 66%

All of Madagascar's marketing tricks remained effective for Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa. The sequel expands upon the story in interesting ways, demonstrating the stark difference in worldview between the animals that were raised in the New York zoo and those who lived their whole lives on a reserve in Africa. The first movie hinted at the animals ending up in Africa, so this was a logical way to go. The movie lets all the leading comedians do what they do best, while the penguins continue to be hilariously good at everything and Julien continues to believe that the world revolves around him.

7 How To Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)

Domestic Gross: $177 Million | Worldwide Total: $621.5 Million

How to Train Your Dragon 2 Where to Watch *Availability in US stream

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buy Not available Not available Not available How to Train Your Dragon 2 is an animated adventure comedy that follows up shortly after the first film. This second entry in the trilogy finds Hiccup and Toothless exploring new worlds and charting unmapped territories. When the two discover a secret cave filled with new dragons and a mysterious Dragon Rider, the two will have to join forces to defeat a ruthless dragon hunter - a cruel and dangerous foe who threatens the freedom and safety of all dragonkind. Director Dean DeBlois Release Date June 5, 2014 Studio(s) 20th Century Writers Dean DeBlois Cast Jonah Hill , Cate Blanchett , Kristen Wiig , Jay Baruchel , T.J. Miller , Gerard Butler , Christopher Mintz-Plasse Runtime 105minutes Sequel(s) How to Train Your Dragon 3 prequel(s) How to Train Your Dragon

Movie Rotten Tomatoes score Metacritic score Audience score How to Train Your Dragon 2 92% 77% 90%

How to Train Your Dragon 2 was set up for success, riding on the tails of its smash hit predecessor with the trailers promising the intriguing backstory of Hiccup's mother, voiced by Cate Blanchette. With just a bit of a head start won by the previous movie and any misgivings about the adaptations not being true to the books out of the way, How to Train Your Dragon 2 was on a clear path to becoming the highest-grossing movie of the franchise. All it needed then was more stunning flight sequences and adorable moments between Hiccup and Toothless.

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6 Kung Fu Panda (2008)

Domestic Gross: $215.4 Million | Worldwide Total: $631.7 Million

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buy Not available Not available Not available A panda who dreams of being a kung fu warrior is thrown into the role of his village's destined protector. Director Mark Osborne , John Stevenson Release Date June 4, 2008 Writers Jonathan Aibel , Glenn Berger Cast Seth Rogen Jack Black , Dustin Hoffman , Angelina Jolie , Ian McShane , Jackie Chan Runtime 95 minutes

Movie Rotten Tomatoes score Metacritic score Audience score Kung Fu Panda 87% 74% 83%

Like the first Madagascar movie, Kung Fu Panda's marketing heavily relied on emphasizing its cast of A-listers. Jack Black as a goofy, clumsy panda was a promising concept, given DreamWorks' success with creating characters for comedic stars like Eddie Murphy. The rest of the cast only elevated the movie, with Dustin Hoffman and Angelina Jolie as Po's more serious counterparts, and martial arts icons Lucy Liu and Jackie Chan on board as a nod to classic kung fu movies. Early reviews assured people that the movie was funny and heartfelt, paving the way for box office profits.

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5 Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011)

Domestic Gross: $165.2 Million | Worldwide Total: $665.7 Million

Movie Rotten Tomatoes score Metacritic score Audience score Kung Fu Panda 2 81% 67% 74%

Like the second How to Train Your Dragon movie, Kung Fu Panda 2 benefited from avoiding the disadvantages of being the first or third movie in the franchise. It didn't have to establish itself as a new concept, while the story hadn't yet started to lose steam. Po's character is as funny as ever, while the plot allows more time to develop his relationships with the Furious Five, especially Tigris. The subplot about Po's history and the folkloric-like villain determined to circumvent the prophecy of his downfall made Kung Fun Panda 2 bigger and better than its predecessor.

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Related Kung Fu Panda: 10 Memes That Sum Up The Movies From the constant action to how Po behaves, fans have perfectly contextualized the Kung Fu Panda series with memes. So how do these sum up the films?

4 Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (2012)

Domestic Gross: $216.4 Million | Worldwide Total: $746.9 Million

Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted Where to Watch *Availability in US stream

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buy Not available Not available Not available Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted is the third film in DreamWorks' massively popular animation franchise. This time, Alex (Ben Stiller), Gloria (Jaa Pinkett Smith), Marty (Chris Rock), and Melman (David Schwimmer) are forced to join a European circus in order to get back home. But things get complicated when an animal wrangler comes after them. Director Tom McGrath Release Date June 6, 2012 Studio(s) Paramount Pictures Writers Tom McGrath Cast Chris Rock Tom McGrath , Ben Stiller Runtime 95minutes

Movie Rotten Tomatoes score Metacritic score Audience score Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted 78% 60% 72%

Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted demonstrates how, by this point, the franchise knows what its strengths are. While maintaining steady, average reviews, so it can never truly be called bad, the third movie leans ever further into the outrageous, random humor acted out by stars who are frankly above the movie. The ludicrous "afro circus" only made for more easy marketing and merchandising, while the producers snagged more noteworthy actors including Frances McDormand, Jessica Chastain, Bryan Cranston, and Martin Short, to voice characters that are oddly suited to each actor's strengths.

3 Shrek Forever After (2010)

Domestic Gross: $238.7 Million | Worldwide Total: $752.6 Million

Shrek Forever After Where to Watch *Availability in US stream

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buy Not available Not available Not available In the fourth film in the series, Shrek finds himself overwhelmed and wishing for the days when he lived a simple ogre's life. He is tempted into a contract with Rumpelstiltskin to earn a day of the life he wants, but it turns out to have dire consequences. Director Mike Mitchell Release Date May 21, 2010 Studio(s) DreamWorks Distribution , Paramount Pictures Writers Josh Klausner , Darren Lemke Cast Mike Myers , Eddie Murphy , Cameron Diaz , Antonio Banderas , Walt Dohrn , John Hamm , Jane Lynch , Craig Robinson , Julie Andrews , John Cleese Runtime 93 minutes prequel(s) Shrek the Third

Movie Rotten Tomatoes score Metacritic score Audience score Shrek Forever After 57% 58% 54%

The Shrek franchise has always been DreamWorks' most famous and most profitable property, since the first movie was a surprise hit resulting from the studio taking a shot at 3D animation following Pixar releasing Toy Story. It is a reiterated joke that Shrek Forever After follows the format of a typical alternate universe fanfiction, but this made for unapologetically fun entertainment full of interesting "what if" scenarios, like showing how Fiona would have eventually escaped her tower on her own. Loyal fans went to the theater for the last Shrek movie — at least until Shrek 5 possibly reinvents the franchise.

2 Shrek The Third (2007)

Domestic Gross: $322.7 Million | Worldwide Total: $813.4 Million

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buy Not available Not available Not available After Fiona's father suddenly dies, Shrek sets out to find a new king for Far Far Away, while Prince Charming rallies fairy tale villains and leads an attack on the kingdom. Director Chris Miller , Raman Hui Release Date May 18, 2007 Writers William Steig , Andrew Adamson , Jeffrey Price , Peter S. Seaman , Chris Miller , Aron Warner Cast Mike Myers , Eddie Murphy , Cameron Diaz , Antonio Banderas , Julie Andrews , John Cleese Runtime 93 minutes

Movie Rotten Tomatoes score Metacritic score Audience score Shrek the Third 42% 58% 52%

Shrek the Third might not be the best of the series, but it at least provides a grandiose conclusion to the Shrek trilogy (with Forever After functioning as a kind of bonus episode). After Shrek 2's success, the third movie would apparently be another rip-roaring installment in DreamWorks' trademark franchise. While the story is weaker than before, it brings new legendary characters like King Arthur into the mix and provides a satisfying end to the ongoing discourse about hero/villain dynamics in fairy tales. The movie ends with a mostly peaceful resolution and Shrek and Fiona finally returning home.

1 Shrek 2 (2004)

Domestic Gross: $441.4 Million | Worldwide Total: $929 Million

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buy Not available Not available Not available A sequel to the classic children's animated film, Sherk 2 follows newlywed ogre couple Sherk and Fiona, whose marriage is tested by a visit to Fiona's parents, the king and queen of Far Far Away. Distrustful of Shrek, the king begins working with Fiona's Fairy Godmother to break up the couple in order for Fiona to wed Fairy Godmother's son, Prince Charming. Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, and Eddie Murphy reprise their roles as Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey, with a further cast that includes John Cleese, Julie Andrews, Jennifer Saunders, and Antonio Banderas. Director Kelly Asbury , Andrew Adamson , Conrad Vernon Release Date May 19, 2004 Studio(s) DreamWorks Distribution Writers David N. Weiss , Joe Stillman , J. David Stem , Andrew Adamson Cast Eddie Murphy , Mike Myers , Rupert Everett , Antonio Banderas , Jennifer Saunders , Cameron Diaz , Julie Andrews , John Cleese Runtime 93 minutes Sequel(s) Shrek Forever After prequel(s) Shrek

Movie Rotten Tomatoes score Metacritic score Audience score Shrek 2 89% 75% 69%

Once again, the second movie of a DreamWorks franchise is the most successful. In the case of Shrek 2, this is arguably because it simply is the best Shrek movie. Shrek returns for a natural continuation of his story with the amazing new addition to his team of Puss and Boots as he goes up against Charming and Fiona's Fairy Godmother, who are certainly among DreamWorks' best villains. Building upon the success of the first movie with more pop culture references and great soundtrack choices, Shrek 2 became DreamWorks' highest-grossing movie and has remained so for 20 years.

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Source: boxofficemojo.com, Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic