Summary
- DreamWorks Animation is on a roll in 2024 with critically acclaimed movies like Orion and the Dark leading the way.
- Kung Fu Panda 4 is back with a rousing return, focusing on Po’s leadership journey and an unlikely bond with Zhen.
- The Wild Robot and Dog Man are set to captivate audiences with science fiction and humor, showcasing DreamWorks’ diverse offerings.
DreamWorks Animation is off to a good start in 2024 following the Netflix release of Orion and the Dark on February 2nd. The popular, critically acclaimed animated movie concerns the dangerous quest taken by Orion and his unlikely new friend, Dark, as they brave the nighttime together and Orion comes of age to overcome his nocturnal fears. The movie is just the first of three animated movies slated for release by DreamWorks in the next calendar year with a handful of additional undated movies in development.
In addition to Kung Fu Panda 4 currently playing in theaters, DreamWorks Animation Studios appear to be sticking with the adorable animal and science fiction themes in the months ahead. Between The Wild Robot, Dog Man, and several upcoming movies that have yet to receive an official release date, it’s possible that the appeal of DreamWorks’ upcoming releases could surpass Disney, Pixar, Sony, and the other major animation studios.
Kung Fu Panda 4
Released on March 8, 2024
Kung Fu Panda 4
3/5
- Release Date
- March 8, 2024
- Director
- Mike Mitchell , Stephanie Stine
Playing in theaters as of March 8, 2024, Kung Fu Panda 4 marks the rousing return of Po (Jack Black) after an 8-year hiatus. Produced by DreamWorks and China Film Group Corporation (CFGC), the movie is directed by Mike Mitchell and Stephanie Stine from a screenplay by Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger, and Darren Lemke. The story concerns Po being named as the successor to the spiritual leader of The Valley of Peace. As Po prepares for his newfound leadership role, he must also find and train his replacement as the Dragon Warrior, forging an unlikely bond with the cantankerous Zhen (Awkwafina).
Although criticized for sticking to the tried and true formula of previous franchise entries, Kung Fu Panda 4 received positive reviews for its excellent cast and vocal performances, including Angelina Jolie, James Hong, Ke Huy Kuan, Viola Davis, Dustin Hoffman, Bryan Cranston, and more. The movie was also hailed for its outstanding animated artwork and the heartfelt message about pushing the limits of one’s potential rather than settling for the status quo. Kung Fu Panda 4 may seem unnecessary in the grand scheme of the franchise, but it’s proven to be a fun diversion for the whole family to enjoy.
The Wild Robot
Releasing on September 20, 2024
The Wild Robot (2024)
- Release Date
- September 20, 2024
Following Kung Fu Panda 4, DreamWorks is poised to unleash The Wild Robot on September 20, 2024. Based on the book series of the same name by Peter Brown, The Wild Robot is a science fiction survival tale written and directed by Chris Sanders. Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o stars in the lead vocal role as ROZZUM Unit 7134, aka Roz, a robot from outer space that crash lands on Earth and must adapt to its surroundings alone. Over time, Roz begins to befriend the native animals and cares for a young gosling that loses its way.
Lupita Nyong’o’s Best Performances, Ranked
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Joining Nyong’o in the stellar ensemble cast is Pedro Pascal as Fink, Catherine O’Hara as Pinktail, Bill Nighy as Longneck, Kit Connor as Brightbill, and Stephanie Hsu as Vontra. Mark Hamill, Matt Berry, and Ving Rhames also have unspecified roles in the animated film. According to Cartoon Brew, The Wild Robot marks the final film that will be animated entirely at DreamWorks’ in-house Glendale facility. In addition to opening theatrically on September 20, 2024, The Wild Robot will be available to stream on Peacock for the first four months of its streaming release before moving to Netflix for the following 10 months.
Dog Man
Releasing on January 31, 2025
After the release of The Wild Robot, DreamWorks is set to ring in the new year with Dog Man on January 31, 2025. The movie is a spin-off of 2017’s Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie and will be directed by Peter Hastings, the executive producer and creator of The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants. Adapted from the Dog Man book series by Captain Underpants creator Dav Pilkey, Dog Man tells the story of a police officer and his dog who become one following a near-fatal explosion. After the blast takes place, a surgical operation keeps both alive by placing the dog’s head atop the officer’s body.
When Dog Man is revived and patrols the streets, the human-canine hybrid does its best to avoid chasing squirrels while taking on the wicked supervillain Petey the Cat and its adorable kitten clone, Lil Petey. Although the animated superhero comedy has yet to unveil its vocal cast, the movie is produced by Karen Foster, who previously produced several Kung Fu Panda shorts and Spirit Untamed for DreamWorks in 2021. Until the film comes out in January 2025, it’s worth noting that the latest book entry, Dog Man: The Scarlet Shredder, hits shelves on March 19, 2024.
Additional Movies in Development Without a Release Date
In addition to the three officially dated DreamWorks animated movies, the studio has a handful of upcoming projects yet to be put on the calendar. However, at least two films (undetermined at this time) are scheduled to come out on August 1, 2025, and September 26, 2025. The potential DreamWorks animated projects that could fill the 2025 release dates are as follows:
- The Boss Baby 3: According to stars Alec Baldwin and Amy Sedaris in a 2023 DreamWorks Q&A, an untitled third Boss Baby movie is in development at DreamWorks. Further details are unknown at this time.
- Madagascar 4: According to Madagascar director Tom McGrath, a fourth franchise entry has been in development at DreamWorks since 2017. While further details are unknown at this time, it’s worth noting that McGrath directed the previous Boss Baby films.
- Mice and Mystics: Based on the dungeon crawling board game created by Jerry Hawthorne, DreamWorks is also developing a Mice and Mystics animated movie with Vertigo Entertainment. When the project was announced in 2018, horror director Alexandre Aja was attached to direct Mice and Mystics from a script he co-wrote with David Leslie Johnson.
- Ronan Boyle and the Bridge of Riddles: Based on the YA novel by Thomas Lenon, DreamWorks is also developing Ronan Boyle and the Bridge of Riddles as an upcoming animated feature. Although the film was announced in 2021, little is known about the project in 2024.
- Shrek 5: While no release date has been announced, DreamWorks plans to revive one of its flagship franchises with the untitled fifth Shrek movie in the future. In April 2023, producer Chris Meledandri revealed that the original Shrek cast was in discussion to reprise their roles in the fifth franchise entry. Further details are currently unknown.
- Sputnik’s Guide to Life on Earth: In 2018, Cartoon Brew revealed that DreamWorks was set to adapt the children’s book Sputnik’s Guide to Life on Earth by Frank Cottrell-Boyce. More than five years later, the project remains in development.
- The Wizards of Once: In 2017, it was reported that DreamWorks was set to adapt The Wizards of Once as an animated fantasy feature. The book series is written by How to Train Your Dragon scribe Cressida Cowell. Not much is known about the movie’s production status in 2024.
