5 Greatest DreamWorks Movie Sequels Of All Time

DreamWorks has given animation fans some of the greatest sequels in cinematic history. While the production company has been around since the 1990s, 2026 marks the 25th anniversary of its first significant property, Shrek.

The success of the satirical fairy tale boosted the studio into the spotlight as a major rival for Disney, especially after it secured the first ever award for Best Animated Feature. It was a significant start for the company, and they would continue pushing to deliver new stories that audiences can turn their attention to in theaters.

However, one of the biggest distinctions between DreamWorks and Disney is how the former is far more confident with its sequels. Disney has been hit-or-miss when it comes to following up their films. Sometimes they manage to pull a diamond out of the rough, but for the most part, fans consider their sequels to be inferior to the originals.

DreamWorks, on the other hand, is a different story. They’ve provided some high quality follow-ups to their flagship films. While not everything is a home run, their sequels are more likely than not to live up to the originals at the least. Some even go further and become known as the superior entry in a franchise.

5

The Bad Guys 2

This 2025 follow-up to DreamWorks’ surprise hit, The Bad Guys, had a lot going for it. The first film was a significant success because of how much the story and characters delighted audiences with its clever take on antagonists.

The sequel explores the Bad Guys trying to re-enter society and clear away their negative image, which is a brilliant direction for this story to go in. After all, bad press doesn’t go away overnight. It takes a ton of work to regain trust among the public after doing horrible things.

The film is only made better with a great trio of villains, coined the “Bad Girls” by the main squad. They’re the perfect antithesis of what the Bad Guys have become, making for a thrilling second story in this terrific series.

4

Shrek 2

The first of many sequels to DreamWorks’ first flagship franchise set a high bar out the gate. Shrek 2 keeps the satirical angle of the franchise going with hilarious new takes on iconic fairy tale characters and locales. Plus, it expands upon the relationship between Shrek and Fiona as they journey to Far, Far Away so he can meet her parents.

What makes Shrek 2 stand out as a great sequel is how it doesn’t cheapen the laughs of the original. Shrek was known for being an edgier family film with crass humor and the occasional swear word to entertain the adults, as well as kids. This film keeps the laughs coming with new gags that go way over kids’ heads while also keeping things fun for all ages.

3

Kung Fu Panda 2

The original Kung Fu Panda is, simply put, an entertaining family flick. It has great action and a heartwarming story that made it a huge hit when it originally premiered. The sequel, however, is an entirely different story.

Kung Fu Panda 2, which is officially celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, is often regarded by fans as the best film in the Kung Fu Panda franchise. It brings way more to the table than the original thanks to the talented writing of screenwriters Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger.

The script is the true star of the film because of how it expands upon the world of Kung Fu Panda. There’s far more drama between Po and the Furious Five as they explore a mysterious town to stop the villainous Lord Shen. Plus, it’s not afraid to take things to a darker place as Po learns more about his mother.

2

How To Train Your Dragon 2

2010’s How to Train Your Dragon was a major win for DreamWorks. Not only did it defy expectations with a well-crafted and heartwarming story, but it was also great enough to land the studio an Oscar nod. The first film in the franchise has since become cemented as a classic in the studio’s library.

The film’s 2014 sequel, however, managed to pull off a rare feat: it managed to be an even better film than its already phenomenal counterpart. How to Train Your Dragon 2 is a textbook definition of how to do a sequel right. It ups the stakes of the previous film while pushing the story forward. However, it never loses the heart that made it great in the first place, as Hiccup becomes reunited with his dragon-loving mother.

1

Puss In Boots: The Last Wish

This sequel to the fairly average 2011 Shrek spin-off was, at a glance, one of the oddest choices for DreamWorks. After all, why would many audiences consider seeing another Puss in Boots film after the first felt like nothing very special?

Fortunately, director Joel Crawford proved just how much potential there was for Puss in Boots with this phenomenal sequel. It heavily borrows the Spider-Verse animation style that Sony found successful, yet used this to its advantage by giving a storybook feel. This makes The Last Wish feel more fairy tale-like than any Shrek film that came before it.

Plus, with a surprisingly mature story featuring Puss’ fear of Death and a mysterious wolf on his tail, it’s a profound tale that’s great for all ages. The Last Wish easily stands atop DreamWorks‘ greatest sequels, which is a magnificent accomplishment given the studio’s incredible track record.

Release Date

December 21, 2022

Runtime

103 minutes

Director

Joel Crawford

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  Salma Hayek Pinault

  Kitty Softpaws (voice)