DreamWorks might be one of the highest-grossing animation studios in history, but they have had their fair share of box office bombs over the years. DreamWorks formed in the mid-’90s, and by the end of the decade had begun producing animated films that rivaled Disney and Pixar in their quality and popularity.
The studio started with a mix of traditional and CGI animated movies, but the latter eventually won out as DreamWorks’ primary approach. Massive hits like Shrek and Madagascar propelled DreamWorks to the top, coincidentally, as Disney was floundering. DreamWorks set themselves apart by incorporating irreverent humor that often appealed to adults as well as younger viewers.
Despite their overwhelming success over the last 30 years, DreamWorks hasn’t had a perfectly spotless record at the box office. Some of their films have absolutely bombed, while others had inflated budgets that ate up massive box office returns. Considering the fact that DreamWorks has made over 50 movies, it’s amazing that only nine have been downright box office failures.
Key Takeaways
- DreamWorks’ History: Since its inception in the mid-’90s, DreamWorks has produced numerous successful animated films.
- Box Office Bombs: Despite successes, nine of DreamWorks’ films have been significant financial failures.
- Animation Style: The studio shifted from traditional to CGI animation, leading to major hits.
- Unique Humor: DreamWorks distinguishes itself with humor appealing to both adults and children.
Spirit Untamed (2021)
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron was an early success for DreamWorks, and Spirit Untamed aimed to follow the cult classic. Like most horse movies, the film concerns a young girl who forms a bond with the titular wild horse. With a budget of $30 million (via Box Office Mojo), Spirit Untamed was DreamWorks’ cheapest film to date.
With its weak animation and boilerplate story, the film was rejected by most fans of the original film. It grossed $42 million (the least of any DreamWorks film), but that wasn’t enough to cover the film’s additional costs. Spirit Untamed isn’t DreamWorks’ biggest bomb from a financial standpoint, but certainly their worst in terms of quality.
Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (2023)
After DreamWorks made it through the COVID-19 box office crash relatively unscathed, Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken was an overdue flop. The film follows the title character who struggles to fit in at her high school, especially when she discovers her connection to the violent kraken. On a budget of $70 million, it only stirred up $46 million (Box Office Mojo).
The movie’s failure can’t be chalked up to its quality, though Ruby Gillman does fall far below the usual DreamWorks standard. It has all the making of a potential hit, but is hampered by an underdeveloped script that has a lot of poorly executed good ideas. Considering its modest budget, the film’s financial failure is a lot easier to swallow.
Turbo (2013)
What makes DreamWorks different from its competitors is that the studio doesn’t have a unifying theme, thus movies like Turbo are made. Turbo is a garden snail who suddenly gains the power of super speed and decides to compete in the Indianapolis 500. Despite a respectable $282 million at the box office, Turbo lost DreamWorks about $13 million (Variety).
Turbo is a perfectly inoffensive family film with a simplistic message and a straightforward plot. Considering it almost broke even, its financial success nearly mirrored its overall quality. Unlike other DreamWorks movies, Turbo has little to offer below the surface, and is more forgettable than its absurd premise might suggest. However, it’s partially saved by DreamWorks’ deftness with simple storytelling.
Penguins Of Madagascar (2014)
Penguins of Madagascar is DreamWorks’ most surprising financial failure, and it is a perfect illustration of how complicated the box office can be. The Penguins of the Madagascar franchise team up to stop a nefarious villain from destroying the world. The movie made $373 million on a $132 million budget (Box Office Mojo), but its domestic numbers were abysmal.
It earned $83 million at home, meaning most of its take came from international markets that take more of the box office pie. All told, The film resulted in a $57 million write-down (New York Times ). Despite its financial failure, the movie is actually quite entertaining and is a perfect continuation of the franchise, albeit in a less spectacular manner.
Mr. Peabody & ; Sherman (2014)
DreamWorks took a gamble withMr.Peabody& amp ; Sherman ,andthe risk didn’t really pay off.BasedontheRockyandBullwinkle characters,thefilmfollowsthetimetravellingtitlepairastheytrytofixthetimelinethattheyfractured.Criticswereimpressed,andthemoviegrossedover$270million(BoxOfficeMojo).
Mr.Peabody& amp ; Sherman ‘s production budgetwas$145million,butadditionalcostsandinternationalboxofficesplitsiphonedoffitsprofits.<Themoviebombed,<despitelookinglikeahitonpaper.Whatwaslostinthefinancialfailurewas themovie'soverallquality,anditfeaturedacomplexplotthatpushedDreamWorksstorytellinginnewdirections.
Sinbad: Legend Of The Seven Seas (2003)
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Sinbad: Legendofthesevenseas wassuchahugebombthatitnearlybankruptedDreamworks.<TheclassicheroembarksonajourneytorecoverthestolenBookofPeace alongwithhis piratecrew.Thefilmgrossedaround$80millionagainsta$60millionbudget,butadditionalcostsledtoan$125millionlossforDreamworksontheyear(SlashFilm).
<Nowconsideredoneofthebiggestbombsinhistory,Sinbad:TheLegendofthesevenseas wasDreamworks’lastanimatedfeaturefilm.Althoughit palescomparedtoearlierclassics,Sinbaddeservescreditforitsstunningvisuals,<ambitiousstory,andstellarvoiceacting.Thefilm’sfailureunfortunatelymadeDreamworks cautious todo somethingsoambitious everagain.
Flushed Away (2006)
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The third and final collaboration between AardmanandDreamworks, flushedawayendedthepartnershiponasournote.Thefilmfollowsaposhratwhoisflushedintothesewerswherehemustescapefromavillainoustoadgangster.MadewithCGIinsteadofclaymation,themoviescored$178millionagainstahugebudgetof$149million(BoxOfficeMojo).
<Thatresultedin$a100millionloss,andthemoviebombedspectacularly.However,it’sfinancialsonlytellhalfthe story,FlushedAwayisoneofthemostunderratedanimatedfilmsoftheAughts.Aardman’simaginativeapproachandDreamworks’masterfulanimationresultinacharmingcinematicthrillride.Althoughimperfect,FlushedAwayisfarbetterthanitsboxofficeimplies.
Rise Of The Guardians (2012)
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The Road To El Dorado (20000)
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<PerhapsfirstillustrationofDreamworks'prowessasastudio,TheRoadtoElDoradohasallthemakingsaclassic.Two con-menmanage todiscoverlegendarycityofElDorado,butaretornwhen theymustchoosebetweenrichesorfriendship.Themoviebombedoutright,earningonly$76millionagainsta$95millionbudget(BoxOfficeMojo).
<PropelledbymusiccomposedbyTimRiceandEltonJohn,TheRoadtoElDorado mimickedmanyofthe successesofDisney’srenaissanceperiod.Unfortunately,audienceshadalreadyturnedtheirbacksonthateraaswas evidencedbyDisney’sownfailures.Although(Dreamworks)hadbiggerhits,TheRoadtoElDoradostillshinesasoneofthe studio’sgreatestworks.
