DreamWorks is constantly making sequels, but they still haven't gotten around to these. Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the best DreamWorks stand-alones that deserve a second feature-length installment.
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00:00 "But Tulio, this place is amazing. I mean, I wonder what's--"
00:04 "No!"
00:04 Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the best
00:09 DreamWorks standalones that deserve a second feature-length installment.
00:14 Since the Chicken Run sequel is slated for a December 2023 release, it will not be included.
00:19 "It's go time."
00:21 "It's all right. I went before we left."
00:27 Number 10. Home. While this movie is nowhere near one of DreamWorks' most beloved or even
00:33 an exceptional story, it does have a lot of merit.
00:36 "Gratuity to Chee-- Why for--"
00:38 "Thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!"
00:41 For one thing, the animation and world-building is beautiful. For another, there's no world where
00:47 we wouldn't want to see the eccentric collab that is Jim Parsons and Rihanna.
00:52 "Can I come into the out now?"
00:54 "No!"
00:54 Most of all though, this movie feels like an introduction. It feels like there's still
00:58 lots more room to get to know the characters and their world post-Alien Invasion. Home actually
01:04 got a TV series that explores just this, but surely there's room for one more epic feature-length
01:10 adventure?
01:11 "Oh, you can't do this on your own!"
01:14 "Maybe not, but I have hope."
01:17 Number 9. Ants. Ah, the age-old question. A Bug's Life or Ants? We're not here to stir the pot,
01:24 but we will say that Ants received its fair bit of praise when it was released.
01:29 "There is a better place. Insectopia."
01:33 "Oh, really?"
01:35 "Lunatic at three o'clock."
01:38 It's funny, well-executed, and best of all, it appeals to adults too.
01:42 "What are you bitching about? In case you haven't noticed, we ants are running this show.
01:47 We're the lords of the earth!"
01:49 As DreamWorks' first animated feature, we think it deserves a little more love.
01:53 A sequel was planned, but it got cancelled at some point down the line.
01:57 Just imagine what they could do if they took the charm and wit of the 1998 movie,
02:02 and combined it with the stellar quality of animation they have today.
02:06 With a visual overhaul, a second installment could really shine.
02:09 "Please, please, it was nothing really. Just your average, run-of-the-mill valor and
02:15 extraordinary courageousness, you know."
02:18 Number 8. The Bad Guys.
02:20 "Don't mind us, just robbing this place."
02:22 This is one of those movies you really just have to see for yourself.
02:27 It goes beyond an animated heist movie, though it does have plenty of that Ocean's Eleven vibe
02:32 going on, and affords us some real discourse about following the role society has laid out for you,
02:37 and learning to break free from it too.
02:40 "I think I like the new year."
02:41 "That makes two of us."
02:43 With exciting twists, charming humor, and a whole lot of heart,
02:47 The Bad Guys is a great watch. There's a holiday special slated for 2023,
02:52 so keep an eye out for that if, like us, you're also looking to see more of this crew.
02:57 "So long, suckers!"
02:58 Number 7. Megamind.
03:04 "Oh, my giant blue hands!"
03:08 Is it possible that meme culture did this movie some favors?
03:12 Yes. Is it also possible that it's an enjoyable movie on its own?
03:16 "Oh, I'm too close! I'm genuinely scared right now! Oh, I hope no one's seeing this!"
03:21 Also yes. While Megamind is somewhat reminiscent of predecessors like The Incredibles and Despicable
03:27 Me, it ultimately does its own thing. With stellar voice acting, dynamic rivalries,
03:31 and a whole lot of humor to go around, there's a lot of life in this movie.
03:35 "Even the smallest bite from Arachnid Deathacus will instantly paralyze."
03:40 "Oh! Get it off!"
03:43 A short was released in 2011 following the events of the film,
03:47 and there's an upcoming series slated for 2024, so we suppose we'll have to be content with that.
03:53 Number 6. Abominable.
03:55 We hesitate to praise animation quality in every entry, but it's hard not to when it comes to
04:00 DreamWorks movies. They're all so visually stunning, and Abominable is no exception.
04:06 But it is helped along by beautiful musical moments.
04:10 [Music]
04:18 Like any DreamWorks, Disney, or Pixar movie, Abominable has all the right ingredients to move
04:23 and entertain its audience in equal measure.
04:27 "Those guys are not gonna stop until they get Everest!"
04:29 "Is that better?"
04:31 "Maybe."
04:33 Although it's been likened to DreamWorks' more successful How to Train Your Dragon,
04:37 with the whole "befriending a beast" storyline,
04:40 the effort and dedication is palpable enough to warrant a watch.
04:44 It still feels like there's more to be done with Abominable,
04:46 and the studio must have agreed because a TV show following Ye,
04:50 Everest, and company began airing in 2022.
04:54 [Music]
04:58 "It worked!"
04:59 Number 5. Spirit, Stallion of the Cimarron.
05:03 "Induct this animal, Sergeant."
05:06 "This one didn't look like a rattler, but I was still thinking...snake."
05:11 Okay, hold on, before you come for us in the comments.
05:14 We know this one technically does have a feature-length sequel.
05:17 However, is it more of a sequel or more of a spin-off, really?
05:21 In fact, technically, it's an adaptation of the spin-off TV show.
05:25 For those of you who've seen Spirit Untamed,
05:28 you know it has very little to do with the original.
05:30 "You will not go near that horse again. Ever."
05:33 "But...why?"
05:36 "It's not Spirit's fault Mom fell off a horse."
05:39 And it's overall been deemed a pretty big disappointment,
05:42 omitting everything that made the initial effort so special and cherished among fans.
05:47 #JusticeForStallionOfTheCimarron.
05:50 Real talk though, we'd love to see a second movie following the events of the first story.
05:55 [Music]
05:59 "I knew I would find you."
06:00 Number 4. The Prince of Egypt.
06:03 Does The Prince of Egypt necessarily need a sequel? Probably not.
06:07 The story is complete, and it did get a prequel.
06:10 But if we're talking about movies that deserve a follow-up, we just can't omit it.
06:14 "How'd you like your face carved on a wall?"
06:16 "Someday, yes."
06:18 "How about now?"
06:19 The Prince of Egypt was released to critical acclaim and fan adoration.
06:26 For a long time, and still to this day, it's considered one of DreamWorks' very best.
06:31 "God saved you to be our deliverer."
06:34 "Enough of this."
06:34 "And you are, Moses. You are the deliverer."
06:38 "I said enough!"
06:39 At one point, a sequel was considered.
06:41 But following the poor performance of Sinbad, Legend of the Seven Seas,
06:46 the studio made a move away from 2D animation.
06:49 Speaking of Sinbad, while it didn't do super well commercially,
06:52 we wouldn't mind seeing the studio take a stab at a follow-up movie.
06:56 "Hey, this is not my problem. I did not steal the book."
07:01 "You're really not gonna lose any sleep over this, are you?"
07:04 "Not a wink."
07:05 Number three, Flushed Away.
07:07 What's that? The sound of alarm bells signaling a critically underrated movie?
07:11 Yeah, that sounds about right.
07:13 Beyond the impressive animation and world building this movie offers,
07:17 it's pretty solid from a narrative perspective, too.
07:20 "Sorry I didn't mean to intrude, Mr. Captain Skipper Thingy."
07:24 "Hey, that's Miss Captain Skipper Thingy to you."
07:27 The journey Roddy and Rita invite us on is bold, daring, and one hell of a ride.
07:33 A boat ride, that is.
07:34 "Well done, Roddy!"
07:36 "Hooray, we did it! We did it!"
07:37 Flushed Away didn't do super well at the box office,
07:42 nor did it get the best reviews from critics.
07:44 But it definitely has the audience vote.
07:46 It's original, cleverly written, and just a lot of fun.
07:50 Give Roddy and Rita their second adventure already, cowards!
07:53 "Your hair's on fire."
07:55 "What?"
07:55 "Ow! Ow!"
07:57 #2 The Road to El Dorado
08:00 "I've got a plan."
08:01 "What is it?"
08:03 "Well, uh, you pet him."
08:06 "Yeah."
08:06 "And I'll..."
08:08 "RUN!"
08:11 At the time of its release, this movie did not do super well.
08:15 It didn't get more than average reviews, and many thought it was just alright.
08:19 At some point during the rise of meme culture, however,
08:22 The Road to El Dorado found an audience to appreciate its wit and charm.
08:26 Many returned to the movie and found hilarious dialogue,
08:29 and even more hilarious delivery.
08:32 "On the one hand, gold. On the other hand, painful, agonizing failure."
08:38 There's so much for adults to enjoy,
08:40 and the ending leaves plenty of room for a follow-up.
08:43 Imagine it. Miguel, Tulio, and Chell reuniting to pull off some kind of incredible heist.
08:49 "There's no scam. Why would you think there's a..."
08:51 "Why?"
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09:07 Number 1. Rise of the Guardians
09:11 Yet another ridiculously underrated project,
09:20 there's so much pure magic in Rise of the Guardians.
09:23 And we're not just talking about the magical powers.
09:26 "Each of those lights is a child."
09:28 "A child who believes. And good or bad, naughty or nice, we protect them."
09:35 With a group of strong and unique characters,
09:37 and the bond they form to fight the big bad boogeyman,
09:40 it feels like things end just when we were getting to know everyone.
09:44 We'd love to see how Jack Frost has integrated into the team,
09:48 perhaps with the introduction of some other holiday guardians.
09:51 Halloween special, anyone?
09:53 "That little trick doesn't work on me anymore!"
09:56 While there was talk of a sequel the year after the film came out,
10:00 nothing ever seemed to come of it.
10:01 We're still holding out hope.
10:03 "I know, I know. But you're gonna be alright."
10:09 Which sequel would you most like to see, and what would you want it to be about?
10:13 Let us know in the comments.
10:15 "I hope the yetis treated you well."
10:17 "Oh yeah, I love being shoved in a sack and tossed through a magic portal."
10:22 Do you agree with our picks? Check out this other recent clip from MsMojo,
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10:31 [music]