Here are Mommy Bear’s picks for the best DreamWorks movies on DVD and Blu-ray. Surprised by some of the winners? The one I am most surprised about is Madagascar. It didn’t even make the list and both of the Madagascar movies are some of my children’s favorites.
#12 – The Prince of Egypt
Grade: B
Mommy Bear’s Opinion: This is a good movie to get your children to learn a little about the Bible and Bible times without realizing it. It’s beautiful and, surprisingly, isn’t sacrilegious. Great music, action and a true story all combine to make it a good movie.
Summary – This is the extraordinary tale of two brothers, one born of royal blood, one an orphan with a secret past. Growing up the best of friends, they share a strong bond of free-spirited youth and good-natured rivalry. But the truth will ultimately set them at odds, as one becomes the ruler of the most powerful empire on earth, the other the chosen leader of his people. Their final confrontation will forever change their lives — and the world.
#11 – Over the Hedge
Grade: B
Mommy Bear’s Opinion: My children watch this over and over. I can’t quite pin what rubs me wrong with it as an adult. I think it may be because it portrays all humans as obsessed with junk food and wasteful and it’s just not true. They also put ideas in to my children’s brains about how good junk food is and how it will solve all your problems. When I step back and get past this, it’s really funny and the whole family will enjoy it.
Summary – In DreamWorks’ smash-hit comedy, these hungry critters go over the hedge to take a bite out of Suburbia.
#10 – Puss in Boots
Grade: B
Mommy Bear’s Opinion: Similar to Shrek as far as humor and cleverness, but much cleaner in the language department. Fantastic voices, animation and cuteness. Your whole family will love it.
Summary – You loved him in Shrek-now see where the one-and-only swashbuckling feline found his fame – and a very big pair of boots – in the “hilariously funny” (Associated Press) animated epic! Lover, fighter and outlaw Puss In Boots (Antonio Banderas) is off on the adventure of his nine lives as he teams up with Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek) and Humpty Dumpty (Zach Galifianakis) for the ultimate showdown with the notorious Jack and Jill (Billy Bob Thornton and Amy Sedaris). Here’s the true story of The Cat, The Myth, The Legend – Puss In Boots!
#9 – Chicken Run
Grade: B
Mommy Bear’s Opinion: This is one of the first DreamsWorks’ movies. I think it’s scary when the chickens almost get killed so I wouldn’t recommend it for children under 6. If your child gets concerned when animals are killed or in peril, this movie isn’t for you. They don’t really show it on the screen but it’s implied. Other than that, it’s funny and clever and happy in the end.
Summary – While the chickens on evil Mrs. Tweedy’s farm dream of a better life, a clever hen named Ginger is hatching plans to fly the coop — for good! It’s hardly poultry in motion when Rocky attempts to teach Ginger and her fine feathered friends to fly… but, with teamwork, determination and a little bit o’ cluck, the fearless flock plots one last daring attempt in a spectacular bid for freedom!
#8 – Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
Grade: B
Mommy Bear’s Opinion: This is another under-rated film. It is a little scary when the were-rabbit transforms into a werewolf. Other than that, it is charming and funny and worth watching, especially for children over 7 years.
Summary – From the Academy Award-winning creators of Wallace and Gromit comes “one of the most enjoyable family films of the year” (Jeffrey Lyons, NBC). When their town’s prized produce starts disappearing, our cheese-loving inventor and his savvy canine companion must use all their wildly imaginative inventions to try to capture a mysterious beast of epic and fluffy proportions!
#7 – Kung Fu Panda 2
Grade B+
Mommy Bear’s Opinion: The surprising thing about this movie is that it’s a rare animation film sequel that’s actually better than the first. The storyline is even deeper than the first one and it’s funny and has great animation.
Summary – On his first big challenge since becoming the Dragon Warrior, Po must lead his friends and fellow kung fu masters The Furious Five on a mission of epic proportions to defeat his most threatening rival yet. Kung Fu Panda 2 packs a powerful punch that combines non-stop action, beautiful storytelling and stunning animation in this all-new awesome adventure.
#6 – Kung Fu Panda
Grade: B+
Mommy Bear’s Opinion: I steered away from this movie for a long time because I was worried it was violent and crude. Upon further inspection, I found out it’s actually really funny and has a positive message overall. Give it a try – you may be surprised like I was.
Summary – Prepare for awesomeness with DreamWorks Animation’s Kung Fu Panda, “a delightful movie that can stand among the very best animated features” (Leonard Maltin, Entertainment Tonight). Jack Black is perfect as the voice of Po, a noodle slurping dreamer who must embrace his true self – fuzzy flaws and all – in order to become the Dragon Warrior.
#5 – Shrek 2
Grade: B+
Mommy Bear’s Opinion: Similar to the first as far as “cleanliness” and just as well done as the first. My children may even like it more than the first Shrek.
Summary – Happily ever after never seemed so far, far away when a trip to meet the in-laws turns into another hilariously twisted adventure for Shrek and Fiona. With the help of his faithful steed Donkey, Shrek takes on a potion-brewing Fairy Godmother, the pompous Prince Charming, and the famed ogre-killer, Puss in Boots, a ferocious feline foe who’s really just a pussycat at heart!
#4 – How to Train Your Dragon
Grade: A-
Mommy Bear’s Opinion: This movie is so well done but it is scary. My 3 year-old girl never wants to watch it because she says it’s too scary. I would say you should be at least 6 to like this movie and not be scared by it, maybe even 8 depending on the child. It has dragons and the main characters try to kill the dragons a lot of the movie. It barely has any language problems though. It is one of those movies made more for the parents than children’s movies used to be.
Summary – A winner with audiences and critics alike, DreamWorks Animation’s How To Train Your Dragon rolls fire-breathing action, epic adventure and laughs into a captivating and original story. Hiccup is a young Viking who defies tradition when he befriends one of his deadliest foes – a ferocious dragon he calls Toothless. Together, the unlikely heroes must fight against all odds to save both their worlds in this “wonderful good-time hit!” (Gene Shalit, Today)
#3 – The Croods
Grade: A-
Mommy Bear’s Opinion – The Croods, with its loads of laughs and emphasis on family, is certain to delight audiences of all ages. It’s benefited greatly by stunning animation, inventive creature design, a better-than-necessary musical score by Alan Silvestri, a screenplay that deftly balances humor with pathos, and excellent performances by its voice cast, including Nicholas Cage, Emma Stone, and Ryan Reynolds. What’s more, the story is genuinely unpredictable.
Summary – The Croods is a prehistoric comedy adventure that follows the world’s first family as they embark on a journey of a lifetime when the cave that has always shielded them from danger is destroyed. Traveling across a spectacular landscape, the Croods discover an incredible new world filled with fantastic creatures — and their outlook is changed forever.
#2 - Shrek
Grade: A-
Mommy Bear’s Opinion: My children love this movie and watch it and all the other Shrek movies over and over. It is not quite as wholesome as Disney movies but my children like the DreamWorks movies a lot more. It does have a little crude humor, like toots and several bad words like I really wish they wouldn’t put in there. Words like “jack ass,” “crap” and “shut up” that I won’t even say myself. That’s why I wouldn’t recommend it for younger children. I would say you should be over 6 and the parent should at least explain that those words aren’t good to say. It makes fun of several other franchises, but it’s all in good humor. It is well done, has a great cast and plot though.
Summary – Relive every moment of Shrek’s (Mike Myers) daring quest to rescue feisty Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) with the help of his loveable loudmouthed Donkey (Eddie Murphy) and win back the deed to his beloved swamp from scheming Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow). Enchantingly irreverent and “monstrously clever” (Leah Rozen, People Magazine), Shrek is ogre-sized adventure you’ll want to see again and again!
#1 – Rise of the Guardians
Grade: A
Mommy Bear’s Opinion – This DreamWorks’ film is full of interesting characters and sweet graphics. It is not really my kind of movie, so I would not ask me for my opinion. 
Summary – DreamWorks’ newest animated adventure is a fun-filled and magical story about the legendary guardians – Jack Frost, the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy and Sandman – together for the first time! When the evil P itch threatens to take over the world, it’s up to our beloved heroes to protect the hopes and dreams of children everywhere. Filled with non-stop action and laughs, it’s a dazzling family film that’s being hailed as “an instant classic. You will believe.”
To read more and find out about upcoming films, please go to: Wikipedia
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Thanks for this post!!
I completely agree with this list! But how you got it down to just these I have no idea! Thanks!