12 DreamWorks Animation Movies That Are Better Than Disney Projects

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve grown up admiring animated movies, and for as long as I can remember, Disney has held the throne like no other. Sure, there have been rough patches, and it’s worth noting that 16 of their films haven’t exactly wowed critics. But let’s not forget that even giants like Warner Bros., Illumination, Nickelodeon, and others sometimes manage to score a massive hit, making Mickey Mouse sit up and take notice. However, it’s been rare for any studio to pose a consistent challenge to Disney, especially after they acquired Pixar. But that was before DreamWorks Animation came along and started shaking things up.

Over the past 30 years, DreamWorks Animation has steadily amassed a robust collection of animated franchises, occasionally taking on Disney head-on. Some DreamWorks films seem to be direct counterparts to a Disney movie, at times even appearing just a year or two after its Disney counterpart. On the other hand, DreamWorks often leads the way with innovative ideas that gain significant traction in popular culture, prompting Disney to follow suit with similar productions. In many cases, it’s DreamWorks that emerges victorious in these creative and sometimes commercial battles.

The Croods is better than The Good Dinosaur

When you consider Pixar films arranged from worst to best, “The Good Dinosaur” stands out as their least complex non-sequel or spinoff so far. Although the concept of a world where dinosaurs survived extinction and evolved intellectually instead of humans was intriguing, the film appeared to target young audiences more directly than any previous Pixar production. As a result, it is regarded as their most basic effort to date.

A disadvantage is that DreamWorks had previously outdone Pixar in the prehistoric genre by two years with “The Croods.” The film revolves around the titular family, who inhabit a fictional era called Croodaceous, allowing the creators to explore the narrative more creatively and introduce unique creatures beyond the usual dinosaurs, saber-toothed tigers, or mammoths. This also provided them with the freedom to depict human advancement in an unconventional manner within the movie’s timeline.

Among the key differences, “The Croods” stands out by creating compelling characters that leave a lasting impression, whereas it might prove challenging to recall “The Good Dinosaur”‘s primary dinosaur character and his human counterpart an hour post viewing.

Madagascar is better than The Wild

The controversy surrounding “The Lion King” that Disney might prefer you forget revolved around claims that the film’s fundamental storyline wasn’t entirely unique. While Disney has often drawn from stories and characters they’ve adapted with permission or took due to being public domain, this instance stood out for its apparent appropriation without proper acknowledgment. It was not the first time such an occurrence happened; however, in the case of “The Wild” (2006), the movie received poor critical reception and underperformed commercially, so there were no significant lawsuits filed due to the alleged plagiarism.

Compared to DreamWorks’s “Madagascar”, “The Wild” can be seen as quite akin, given that Claudia Puig of USA Today labeled it the “most wildly derivative animated movie in years”. Beyond featuring an anthropomorphic animal cast similar to “Madagascar”, both films revolve around zoo animals from Central Park who end up in Africa and navigate through escapades as they adapt to their new environment. However, it’s important to note that while “Madagascar” is a decent effort from DreamWorks, “The Wild” lags behind significantly, with the latter only managing a 18% rating on Rotten Tomatoes – a score that “Madagascar”, which has surpassed its triple in ratings, easily outshines.

In the animation of “The Wild,” an area where Disney films typically excel compared to others, it was surprisingly poor quality for any studio’s theatrically released animated film in 2006.

The Prince of Egypt is better than The Hunchback of Notre Dame

In the latter part of the 90s, Disney appeared to have a fascination with history, starting with “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” in 1996, which was set in 16th-century France and inspired by Victor Hugo’s renowned novel. The story underwent the classic Disney transformation, incorporating cheerful tunes and humorous gargoyle companions. The original narrative’s harsh aspects were softened to portray the journey of a recluse named Quasimodo (Tom Hulce), who bravely steps out in public, only to be ridiculed and rejected by the townsfolk.

In its early stages, DreamWorks followed a similar strategy when sourcing content during the late ’90s and early 2000s. This started with “The Prince of Egypt,” a 1998 film which presents a retelling of Moses’s transformation from prince to prophet as depicted in the Book of Exodus. Unlike “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” the songs in “Prince of Egypt” were harmoniously integrated, fitting the film’s tone rather than forcing cheerful Disney tunes into a somber, Gothic narrative. While “Prince of Egypt” maintains a family-friendly vibe, it doesn’t stray so far from its roots that it appears to completely forsake its original essence and meaning.

Although “The Hunchback” isn’t commonly discussed nowadays, on the other hand, “The Prince of Egypt” persists in gaining fresh acclaim and has experienced multiple periods of renewed interest, such as a significant resurgence during the COVID-19 crisis.

Rise of the Guardians is better than Strange Magic

After George Lucas sold Star Wars to Disney in 2012, his role was limited to executive producer for subsequent films. However, he had a more significant involvement in the 2015 animated movie “Strange Magic,” which he had been developing for fifteen years prior. In this project, Lucas primarily served as the story writer, leaving others to handle screenplay and directing duties. The film aimed to reimagine fairytales for contemporary audiences, but unfortunately, “Strange Magic” turned out to be a disappointing finale for Lucas’s creative career; it was heavily panned by critics and failed miserably at the box office.

In the 2010s, DreamWorks demonstrated a superior grasp on fantasy action compared to Disney, especially when it came to breathing new life into old stories. Before “Strange Magic” was released, DreamWorks had already set the trend by creating “Rise of the Guardians”. This film took traditional folklore characters like Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Boogeyman, the Sandman, and Jack Frost, transforming them into an Avengers-style team that secretly safeguards the world from evil. By doing so, it not only made “Strange Magic” seem unnecessary, but also provided a kid-friendly alternative to the increasingly complex world of comic book movies, which could sometimes be too intense for younger audiences.

Over the Hedge is better than Gnomeo & Juliet

In contrast to some animated films that casually draw inspiration from William Shakespeare, such as “The Lion King” borrowing aspects of “Hamlet,” it wasn’t until 2011’s “Gnomeo & Juliet” that a film openly displayed its ties to The Bard. This time, the feuding families are garden gnomes named the Montagues and Capulets, residing in neighboring yards. Unlike the original tale, the title characters don’t cross paths at a party but rather during their separate secret escapades. Characters include plastic flamingos, garden sprinklers, and even a William Shakespeare statue voiced by Patrick Stewart. Additionally, the movie features Elton John songs, with the musician and his husband serving as executive producers.

Essentially, “Gnomeo & Juliet” is adorable, but it doesn’t even compare to the adventure/heist film masterpiece from DreamWorks set in and around backyards. The film I am referring to is “Over the Hedge,” released five years prior and receiving both better reviews from critics and a larger audience at the box office. In this movie, a cunning raccoon named RJ (voiced by Bruce Willis) enlists a family of squirrels to help him settle a debt with a bear he had wronged earlier. Interestingly, this raccoon seems to have served as inspiration for Disney’s sly fox character, Nick (voiced by Jason Bateman), in “Zootopia.

Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron is better than Home on the Range

Hey there! As a gamer, I can’t help but share my fascination for one particular genre that’s close to my heart – animated movies set in the Old West. You see, this timeless landscape has been an inspiration for countless adventure stories, especially those with a clear-cut good vs. evil theme and talking animals.

It all started back in 2002 when DreamWorks unveiled “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron,” swiftly followed by Disney’s take on the Old West titled “Home on the Range” in 2004. Both animations showcased their unique spin on this classic setting, keeping us hooked and eager for more!

In a more straightforward manner, “Home on the Range” follows the story of three cows who engage in a lively battle against a cattle thief, singing catchy tunes along the way. On the other hand, “Spirit” chooses a more somber tone and avoids typical talking animal movie tropes, presenting a heartfelt tale about a horse who forms a connection with a Lakota man after escaping from capture by the U.S. Cavalry. As Roger Ebert noted in his three-star review, “Spirit” stands out for its lack of comic sidekicks and supporting characters, making it a more refined film that serves as an excellent introduction to the Western genre for young audiences, which was the intent behind both movies.

The Wild Robot is better than WALL-E

It’s undeniable that Pixar’s “WALL-E” stands as one of the greatest Disney films, and arguably among the best animated movies ever made. Remarkably, much of its runtime is almost entirely devoid of dialogue, yet it manages to captivate audiences by effectively conveying its story and developing its characters through visuals rather than spoken words. Despite being a robot that can’t speak beyond his name, has treads instead of legs, WALL-E remains one of the most charming and relatable animated characters in recent years.

Expressing that “The Wild Robot” by DreamWorks surpasses the quality of “WALL-E” is a notable claim because both movies share similar storylines: In each film, robots find themselves in a world devoid of humans and initially lack the ability to feel human emotions. However, they eventually learn to experience these feelings and disregard their programming for the sake of the new relationships they’ve formed unintentionally.

As a gamer diving into a new world, I find that “WALL-E” stumbles when it abruptly unveils human characters, and leans too heavily on the didactic theme of technology’s potential to turn us all into couch potatoes, living our lives as inactive lumps. In contrast, “The Wild Robot” chooses not to engage with humans at all, maintaining a laser-focus on the struggle between technology and nature. Interestingly enough, this very omission imbues “The Wild Robot” with even more human qualities.

How to Train Your Dragon is better than Brave

In the early 2010s, there was a noticeable trend in animated movies leaning towards action and fantasy. DreamWorks Studios initiated this shift at the start of the decade with their critically acclaimed film “How to Train Your Dragon” in 2010. Although they had previously demonstrated action prowess with “Kung Fu Panda” in 2008, “How to Train Your Dragon” marked a significant step forward for DreamWorks, positioning them as serious players in the world of animated films and challenging Disney. Two years later, Disney responded with Pixar’s film “Brave.

In summary, both films are set in tight-knit medieval towns and feature a universe where magic and magical entities exist. The main characters appear unprepared and uninterested in fulfilling their fates, but ultimately rise to the challenge. While “Brave” initially has a captivating beginning, it later shifts its focus to a girl attempting to reverse her mother’s transformation from human to bear.

As a gamer putting on my storyteller’s hat, I’d say that “How to Train Your Dragon” offers a more seamless narrative flow and thematic harmony compared to the adventures of Merida with her transformed mom-bear. The bond between Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) and Toothless is a heartwarming and captivating tale that truly stands out.

Monsters vs. Aliens is better than Mars Needs Moms

Disney initially took their time exploring science fiction in their animated films, often using a safe approach such as “Treasure Planet,” which was a space film cloaked in the comfort of ships and pirates. A notable exception to this pattern was Disney’s first pure sci-fi animated film that wasn’t based on something well-known – 2011’s “Mars Needs Moms.” This movie tells the story of Milo (voiced by Seth Dusky, with motion capture work by Seth Green), a boy who embarks on a mission to rescue his mother from Martians. The Martians are interested in extracting his mother’s life force and learning about the bond between parents and children.

The movie “Mars Needs Moms” was an expensive production, but unfortunately, it became one of Disney’s biggest box office flops. The reason for this failure was that while it was visually stunning, it lacked depth and emotion to truly resonate with audiences. On the other hand, two years prior, DreamWorks released “Monsters vs. Aliens,” which not only received positive reviews but also spawned a TV series, shorts, and more due to its success. In this case, taking a lighter approach and keeping things simple, as suggested by the film’s title, proved successful for DreamWorks.

Shrek is better than Wreck-It Ralph

In a short span of time, DreamWorks Animation found its initial iconic character in Shrek, the lead from their 2001 blockbuster movie. Characters like Shrek (played by Mike Myers) and Donkey (Eddie Murphy) were the key ingredients that had been lacking in DreamWorks’ early projects but were essential for them to establish a foothold in the animation industry.

Although Shrek and Wreck-It Ralph might appear dissimilar at first glance, they share some striking similarities. Both characters are large, bumbling figures who start off as antagonists, eventually transforming into heroes with the aid of their chatty sidekicks. Despite Ralph’s charm and the quality of his film, neither can compare to Shrek or its green-skinned hero. It’s important to note that “Shrek 2” was considered equal to, if not superior to, its first installment, while “Ralph Breaks the Internet” was generally appreciated but often perceived as not quite reaching the standard set by the original.

Orion and the Dark is better than Monsters, Inc.

Two well-known studios, DreamWorks and Disney, have produced captivating films where monsters, often lurking in children’s closets, under beds, or in their dreams, are shown to care for the kids instead of being frightening. On the Disney side, Pixar’s “Monsters, Inc.” features Sulley (voiced by John Goodman) and Mike (Billy Crystal), who unintentionally let a human child into the monster world. Despite the potential danger, they decide to shield her rather than reporting her. In contrast, DreamWorks’s “Orion and the Dark” tells the story of Orion (Jacob Tremblay), a timid boy who develops a friendship with his fear personified as darkness. Together, they embark on an adventure that helps both of them overcome their fears.

In comparison, “Monsters, Inc.” is universally recognized as a timeless masterpiece, and it’s hard to find another Pixar film that can rival its greatness. However, in this head-to-head matchup, “Orion and the Dark” takes a slight lead due to the main human character not being just a babbling toddler. This allows for a more complex relationship between Orion and the Dark as compared to Sulley and Boo in Monsters, Inc.

Antz is better than A Bug’s Life

This incident, renowned as one of the most intriguing instances in cinematic history, involves two strikingly similar films – “A Bug’s Life” by Disney and “Antz” by DreamWorks – being released almost simultaneously. The intrigue surrounding the events leading up to this coincidence is captivating, albeit too intricate to delve into here. Essentially, both movies feature insect characters who question their preordained roles in life and devise a means to escape from these set paths.

In contrast to many similar cases, there isn’t a general agreement about which of these two films is superior. Both movies share the same score on Rotten Tomatoes. Those who lean towards “Antz” favor it because it has a grittier and more unconventional feel, with its themes seeming more substantial and relevant to reality. Although “A Bug’s Life” gained instant recognition due to Disney’s marketing efforts, “Antz” has unfortunately been overshadowed among the most undervalued animated films in history. Even if you don’t believe that “Antz” is the superior film, it is certainly the one that deserves rediscovery rather than being consigned to obscurity as time passes.

2025-04-28 23:32