DreamWorks is likely to be one of many highest-grossing animation studios in historical past, however they’ve had their justifiable share of field workplace bombs over time. DreamWorks fashioned within the mid-’90s, and by the top of the last decade had begun producing animated movies that rivaled Disney and Pixar of their high quality and recognition.
The studio began with a mixture of conventional and CGI animated motion pictures, however the latter ultimately received out as DreamWorks’ main method. Huge hits like Shrek and Madagascar propelled DreamWorks to the highest, coincidentally, as Disney was floundering. DreamWorks set themselves aside by incorporating irreverent humor that usually appealed to adults in addition to youthful viewers.
Regardless of their overwhelming success during the last 30 years, DreamWorks hasn’t had a wonderfully spotless report on the field workplace. A few of their movies have completely bombed, whereas others had inflated budgets that ate up huge field workplace returns. Contemplating the truth that DreamWorks has remodeled 50 motion pictures, it is superb that solely 9 have been downright field workplace failures.
Spirit Untamed (2021)
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron was an early success for DreamWorks, and Spirit Untamed aimed to comply with the cult basic. Like most horse motion pictures, the movie considerations a younger woman who kinds a bond with the titular wild horse. With a finances of $30 million (by way of Field Workplace Mojo), Spirit Untamed was DreamWorks’ most cost-effective movie thus far.
With its weak animation and boilerplate story, the movie was rejected by most followers of the unique movie. It grossed $42 million (the least of any DreamWorks movie), however that wasn’t sufficient to cowl the movie’s extra prices. Spirit Untamed is not DreamWorks’ largest bomb from a monetary standpoint, however actually their worst by way of high quality.
Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (2023)
After DreamWorks made it by way of the COVID-19 field workplace crash comparatively unscathed, Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken was an overdue flop. The movie follows the title character who struggles to slot in at her highschool, particularly when she discovers her connection to the violent kraken. On a finances of $70 million, it solely stirred up $46 million (Field Workplace Mojo).
The film’s failure cannot be chalked as much as its high quality, although Ruby Gillman does fall far beneath the standard DreamWorks customary. It has all of the making of a possible hit, however is hampered by an underdeveloped script that has a number of poorly executed good concepts. Contemplating its modest finances, the movie’s monetary failure is so much simpler to swallow.
Turbo (2013)
What makes DreamWorks completely different from its rivals is that the studio would not have a unifying theme, thus motion pictures like Turbo are made. Turbo is a backyard snail who abruptly good points the facility of tremendous pace, and decides to compete within the Indianapolis 500. Regardless of a good $282 million on the field workplace, Turbo misplaced DreamWorks about $13 million (Selection).
Turbo is a wonderfully inoffensive household movie with a simplistic message and an easy plot. Contemplating it virtually broke even, its monetary success almost mirrored its general high quality. In contrast to different DreamWorks motion pictures, Turbo has little to supply beneath the floor, and is extra forgettable than its absurd premise may recommend. Nevertheless, it is partially saved by DreamWorks’ deftness with easy storytelling.
Penguins Of Madagascar (2014)
Penguins of Madagascar is DreamWorks’ most shocking monetary failure, and it’s a good illustration of how difficult the field workplace could be. The Penguins of the Madagascar franchise workforce as much as cease a nefarious villain from destroying the world. The film made $373 million on a $132 million finances (Field Workplace Mojo), however its home numbers had been abysmal.
It earned $83 million at dwelling, which means most of its take got here from worldwide markets that take extra of the field workplace pie. All advised, the movie resulted in a $57 million write-down (New York Instances). Regardless of its monetary failure, the film is definitely fairly entertaining, and is an ideal continuation of the franchise, albeit in a much less spectacular method.
Mr. Peabody & Sherman (2014)
DreamWorks took a raffle with Mr. Peabody & Sherman, and the danger did not actually repay. Primarily based on the Rocky and Bullwinkle characters, the movie follows the time-travelling title pair as they attempt to repair the timeline that they fractured. Critics had been impressed, and the film grossed over $270 million (Field Workplace Mojo).
Mr. Peabody & Sherman‘s manufacturing finances was $145 million, however extra prices and worldwide field workplace splits siphoned off its income. The film bombed, regardless of trying like a success on paper. What was misplaced within the monetary failure was the film’s general high quality, and it featured a fancy plot that pushed DreamWorks storytelling in new instructions.
Sinbad: Legend Of The Seven Seas (2003)
Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas was such an enormous bomb that it almost bankrupted DreamWorks. The basic hero embarks on a journey to recuperate the stolen E-book of Peace alongside along with his pirate crew. The movie grossed round $80 million in opposition to a $60 million finances, however extra prices led to an $125 million loss for DreamWorks on the yr (SlashFilm).
Now thought of one of many largest bombs in historical past, Sinbad: The Legend of the Seven Seas was DreamWorks’ final 2D animated function movie. Although it pales in comparison with earlier 2D classics, Sinbad deserves credit score for its beautiful visuals, bold story, and stellar voice performing. The movie’s failure sadly made DreamWorks cautious to do one thing so bold ever once more.
Flushed Away (2006)
The third and remaining collaboration between Aardman and DreamWorks, Flushed Away ended the partnership on a bitter be aware. The movie follows a complicated rat who’s flushed into the sewers the place he should escape from a villainous toad gangster. Made with CGI as an alternative of claymation, the film scored $178 million in opposition to an enormous finances of $149 million (Field Workplace Mojo).
That resulted in a $100 million loss, and the film bombed spectacularly. Nevertheless, it is financials solely inform half the story, and Flushed Away is among the most underrated animated movies of the Aughts. Aardman’s imaginative method and DreamWorks’ masterful animation lead to a captivating cinematic thrill trip. Although imperfect, Flushed Away is much better than its field workplace implies.
Rise Of The Guardians (2012)
DreamWorks’ Rise of the Guardians is a textbook instance of a blockbuster that also flopped on the field workplace. The story considerations numerous vacation icons like Santa Claus and Jack Frost teaming as much as cease a darkish villain from consuming the world. With its spectacular premise and action-packed narrative, the film remodeled $300 million (Field Workplace Mojo).
Sadly, the film’s finances was $145 million and ended up costing DreamWorks $87 million in losses in spite of everything different bills had been tallied. It has since turn into a cult basic, and has entered the rotation of contemporary Christmas motion pictures. Its eye-catching animation is unmatched for the time interval, and it’s nonetheless being rediscovered as an underrated gem to this present day.
The Street To El Dorado (2000)
Maybe the primary illustration of DreamWorks’ prowess as a studio, The Street to El Dorado has all of the makings of a basic. Two con-men handle to find the legendary metropolis of El Dorado, however are torn after they should select between riches or friendship. The film bombed outright, incomes solely $76 million in opposition to a $95 million finances (Field Workplace Mojo).
Propelled by music composed by Tim Rice and Elton John, The Street to El Dorado mimicked lots of the successes of Disney’s renaissance interval. Sadly, audiences had already turned their backs on that period, as was evidenced by Disney’s personal failures. Although DreamWorks had larger hits, The Street to El Dorado nonetheless shines as one of many studio’s best works.