:DreamWorks Animation

{{see also|DreamWorks Pictures}}

On October 12, 1994, a trio of entertainment players, film director and producer Steven Spielberg, former Disney executive Jeffrey Katzenberg, and music executive David Geffen, founded DreamWorks SKG (the three letters taken from the surnames of the founders). To build the talent base, Spielberg brought over artists from his London-based studio, Amblimation, while Katzenberg recruited some of the top animation staff from Disney.{{cite web|last1=Sito|first1=Tom|title=The Late, Great, 2D Animation Renaissance — Part 2|url=https://www.awn.com/animationworld/late-great-2d-animation-renaissance-part-2|website=Animation World Network|access-date=October 16, 2015|date=March 16, 2006|archive-date=June 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625002237/https://www.awn.com/animationworld/late-great-2d-animation-renaissance-part-2|url-status=live}} Some of Amblimation's artists came to DreamWorks in 1995, when the studio's last feature, Balto, was completed,{{cite web | url=https://fmx.de/about-us/boards/advisory-board/shelley-page-dreamworks-animation.html | title=Shelley Page (DreamWorks Animation) | website=FMX.de | access-date=July 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110201161237/http://www.fmx.de/about-us/boards/advisory-board/shelley-page-dreamworks-animation.html |archive-date=February 1, 2011}} with the rest doing so following the studio's closure in 1997.{{cite web|last1=Simon|first1=Sam|title=Balto|url=https://animatedviews.com/2003/laserdisc-archives-balto/|website=Animated Views|access-date=October 16, 2015|date=May 11, 2003|archive-date=September 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906192202/http://animatedviews.com/2003/laserdisc-archives-balto/|url-status=live}}

In 1995, DreamWorks signed a co-production deal with Pacific Data Images to form subsidiary PDI, LLC (PDI owned 60% of PDI, LLC, while DreamWorks SKG owned 40%). This new unit would produce computer-generated feature films, beginning with Antz in 1998. In the same year, DreamWorks SKG produced The Prince of Egypt, which used both CGI technology and traditional animation techniques.

In 1997, DreamWorks partnered with British stop-motion animation studio Aardman Animations to co-produce and distribute Chicken Run (2000), a stop-motion film already in pre-production with Pathé taking rights in several European territories.{{cite news |title=Chicken Run: Deal clinched with DreamWorks & Pathe |url=http://www.telepathy.co.uk/aardman/news/recent/recent10.html |access-date=August 30, 2011 |website=telepathy.co.uk |publisher=Telepathy Ltd |date=December 3, 1997 |archive-date=March 31, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331112534/http://www.telepathy.co.uk/aardman/news/recent/recent10.html |url-status=live }} Two years later they extended the deal for an additional four films. With Aardman doing stop-motion and the existing traditional and computer productions, they covered all three major styles of animation.{{cite news|last=Moerk|first=Christian|title=DW-Aardman pact drawn|url=https://variety.com/1999/film/news/dw-aardman-pact-drawn-1117757480/|access-date=September 3, 2011|newspaper=Variety|date=October 27, 1999|archive-date=May 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120522043308/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117757480|url-status=live}} This partnership had DreamWorks participating in the production of stop-motion films in Bristol, and also had Aardman participating in some of the CGI films made in the United States.

Three years later, DreamWorks SKG created DreamWorks Animation, a new business division that would regularly produce both types of animated feature films. The same year DW acquired a majority interest (90%) in PDI, and reformed it into PDI/DreamWorks, the Northern California branch of its new business division.{{cite web | last=Carlson | first=Wayne | url=https://excelsior.biosci.ohio-state.edu/~carlson/history/tree/pdi.html | title=Pacific Data Images | website=design.osu.edu | publisher=Ohio State University | access-date=July 4, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811134916/http://design.osu.edu/carlson/history/tree/pdi.html | archive-date=August 11, 2011 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}

In 2001, Shrek was released and went on to win the first Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film. Due to the success of CGI animated films, DWA decided the same year to exit hand-drawn animation business after their next two films, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002) and Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas (2003), making a total of five hand-drawn films. Beginning with Shrek 2 (2004), all released films, other than the stop-motion film Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005) co-produced with Aardman, were produced with CGI.{{cite web | url=https://www.dreamworks.com/2007AR/pdf/DWA_07AR.pdf | title=2007 Annual Report | website=DreamWorks Animation SKG | date=March 17, 2008 | access-date=July 3, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928232607/http://www.dreamworksanimation.com/2007AR/pdf/DWA_07AR.pdf | archive-date=September 28, 2011 | url-status=dead }} The releases of Shrek 2 and Shark Tale also made DWA the first animation studio to produce two CGI animated features in a single year.{{cite web | url=http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/DWA/1132307488x0x429592/93F65FFB-C004-4B6F-AF32-A046FF23C9FF/35766-DreamWorks-AR-2004.pdf | title=Annual Report 2004 | publisher=DreamWorks Animation SKG | website=files.shareholder.com | date=March 25, 2005 | access-date=July 4, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120529090957/http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/DWA/1132307488x0x429592/93F65FFB-C004-4B6F-AF32-A046FF23C9FF/35766-DreamWorks-AR-2004.pdf | archive-date=May 29, 2012 | url-status=dead }}

The animation division was spun off into a publicly traded company under the name DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. (doing business as DreamWorks Animation LLC) on October 27, 2004, and traded via the New York Stock Exchange.{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/2004/10/22/cx_sr_1022ipooutlook.html|title=DreamWorks' Animated IPO|work=Forbes|date=October 22, 2004|access-date=April 23, 2025}} Katzenberg headed the new division, while Spielberg and Geffen remained on board as investors and consultants.{{cite web | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-12-05/dreamworks-katzenberg-still-seeks-advice-from-spielberg.html | title=DreamWorks' Katzenberg Still Seeks Advice From Spielberg | first=Andy | last=Fixmer | website=bloomberg.com | publisher=Bloomberg | date=December 5, 2013 | access-date=February 24, 2014 | archive-date=March 4, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304113531/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-12-05/dreamworks-katzenberg-still-seeks-advice-from-spielberg.html | url-status=live }} DWA also inherited interests in PDI/DreamWorks. They made an agreement with their former parent to distribute all of their films until they delivered twelve new films, or December 12, 2010, whichever came last.

On January 31, 2006, DWA entered into a distribution agreement with Paramount Pictures, which recently acquired DWA's former parent and distribution partner, DreamWorks SKG. The agreement granted Paramount the worldwide rights to distribute all animated films, including all of their previously released animated films, until the delivery of 13 new animated feature films or the expiration date of December 31, 2012, whichever came last.{{cite web | url=https://www.dreamworks.com/2010AR/docs/114527_008_DreamWorks_BMK.PDF | title=Annual Report 2010 | website=dreamworksanimation.com | publisher=DreamwWorks Animation SKG | date=February 24, 2011 | access-date=July 3, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928232652/http://www.dreamworksanimation.com/2010AR/docs/114527_008_DreamWorks_BMK.PDF | archive-date=September 28, 2011 | url-status=dead }} Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit was the last film distributed by its former distribution arm and Over the Hedge was the first film distributed by Paramount on May 19, 2006.

DWA's partnership with Aardman ended after the release of Flushed Away in November 2006, having delivered three out of five films. The announcement was made before the film's release, on October 3, citing "creative differences".{{cite news | first=Laura M. | last=Holson | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/03/business/media/03animation.html | title=Is Th-Th-That All, Folks? | work=The New York Times | date=October 3, 2006 | access-date=November 17, 2010 | archive-date=December 1, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201040106/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D00E7D91430F930A35753C1A9609C8B63&&scp=4&sq=aardman&st=cse | url-status=live }} DWA retained the co-ownership of rights to all films co-produced with Aardman, with an exception being Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005), for which they only kept the worldwide distribution rights.

On March 13, 2007, DreamWorks Animation announced it would release all of its films, beginning with Monsters vs. Aliens (2009), in stereoscopic 3D.{{Cite press release | title = DreamWorks Animation Goes 3D |website=ir.dreamworksanimation.com | publisher=DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. | date = March 13, 2007 | url = http://ir.dreamworksanimation.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=540426 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20110818161758/http://ir.dreamworksanimation.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=540426 | url-status = dead | archive-date = August 18, 2011 | access-date = November 6, 2010 }} Together with Intel, they co-developed a new 3D film-making technology, InTru3D.{{Cite press release | title = INTEL, DreamWorks Animation Form Strategic Alliance to Revolutionize 3-D Filmmaking Technology | publisher=DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. | date = July 8, 2008 | url = http://ir.dreamworksanimation.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=540764 |website=ir.dreamworksanimation.com | archive-url = https://archive.today/20110818161915/http://ir.dreamworksanimation.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=540764 | url-status = dead | archive-date = August 18, 2011 | access-date = November 6, 2010 }}

File:DreamWorks Animation SKG logo.svg

In 2008, DWA extended its production pipeline into Bangalore, India, where they established a special unit within Technicolor, named DreamWorks Dedicated Unit. The unit is owned by Technicolor, but DreamWorks hires and trains the animators, who then contribute to DreamWorks projects. DDU at first worked only on TV specials, such as Merry Madagascar (2009), Scared Shrekless (2010), and direct-to-video projects.{{cite web | title=Opportunities in India to work on Dreamworks Featured Projects | url=https://www.siggraph.org//asia2011/exhibitor-tech-talk-detail?id=133 | work=Siggraph | date=December 13, 2011 | access-date=December 16, 2011 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20120913090124/http://www.siggraph.org/asia2011/exhibitor-tech-talk-detail?id=133 | archive-date=September 13, 2012 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }} Eventually they started contributing to DreamWorks' feature films as well, beginning with animating part of Puss in Boots (2011).{{cite news|title='Puss in Boots' showcases work by India animators for DreamWorks|url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-ct-dwa-india-20111029,0,1526743.story|access-date=November 1, 2011|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|first=Richard|last=Verrier|date=October 29, 2011|archive-date=October 30, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111030091507/http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-ct-dwa-india-20111029,0,1526743.story|url-status=live}} In 2009, the company moved its shares to the NASDAQ as a move designed to save costs.{{cite web|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2009/02/dreamworks-goes-to-nasdaq-allens-cashed-out/|title= DreamWorks Goes to NASDAQ; Allen's Cashed Out|work=Animation Magazine|date=17 February 2009|access-date=14 December 2023|first=Tom|last=McLean}}

Since 2009, the studio has been regularly listed in Fortune Magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For". As the only entertainment company on the list, they ranked 47th in 2009,{{cite web | author=Fortune | url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/bestcompanies/2009/snapshots/47.html | title=100 Best Companies to Work For 2009 | website=money.cnn.com | publisher=Fortune | date=February 2, 2009 | access-date=October 30, 2010 | archive-date=October 24, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101024052905/http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/bestcompanies/2009/snapshots/47.html | url-status=live }} 6th in 2010,{{cite web | author=Fortune | url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/bestcompanies/2010/snapshots/6.html | title=100 Best Companies to Work For 2010 | website=money.cnn.com | publisher=Fortune | date=February 8, 2010 | access-date=October 30, 2010 | archive-date=November 12, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101112001226/http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/bestcompanies/2010/snapshots/6.html | url-status=live }} 10th in 2011,{{cite web | author=Fortune | url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/bestcompanies/2011/snapshots/10.html | title=100 Best Companies to Work For 2011 | website=money.cnn.com | publisher=Fortune | date=February 7, 2011 | access-date=July 2, 2011 | archive-date=June 23, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623235154/http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/bestcompanies/2011/snapshots/10.html | url-status=live }} 14th in 2012,{{cite news|title=Best Companies to Work for 2012|url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/best-companies/2012/snapshots/14.html|access-date=January 19, 2012|newspaper=Fortune|date=January 19, 2012|archive-date=January 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120122010154/http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/best-companies/2012/snapshots/14.html|url-status=live}} and 12th in 2013.{{cite news|title=DreamWorks Animation - Best Companies to Work For 2013|url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/best-companies/2013/snapshots/12.html?iid=bc_fl_list|access-date=January 19, 2013|website=money.cnn.com|publisher=Fortune|date=January 17, 2013|archive-date=January 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130122054031/http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/best-companies/2013/snapshots/12.html?iid=bc_fl_list|url-status=live}}

Beginning in 2010, the studio had planned to release five feature films over the course of every two years,{{Cite press release | title = DreamWorks Animation Announces Plans to Release Five Feature Films Every Two Years |website=ir.dreamworksanimation.com | publisher=DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. | date = May 28, 2009 | url = http://ir.dreamworksanimation.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=540593 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20110818161825/http://ir.dreamworksanimation.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=540593 | url-status = dead | archive-date = August 18, 2011 | access-date = October 30, 2010 }} but the next year the studio revisited their plans, "but beyond 2012, Katzenberg said the studio will play it by year, even if that means abandoning his proclamation that DWA would try to release three pictures in a single year, every other year."{{cite news | last=Bond | first=Paul | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dreamworks-animation-retreats-cg-film-161246 | title=DreamWorks Animation Retreats on Film Output Plan | work=The Hollywood Reporter | date=February 24, 2011 | access-date=February 25, 2011 | archive-date=February 28, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110228034908/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dreamworks-animation-retreats-cg-film-161246 | url-status=live }} In 2010, with the releases of How to Train Your Dragon, Shrek Forever After, and Megamind, DWA became the first animation studio that released three feature-length CG-animated films in a year.{{cite press release|title=DreamWorks Animation Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2010 Financial Results|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dreamworks-animation-reports-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2010-financial-results-116862013.html|access-date=November 8, 2013|website=PR Newswire|date=February 24, 2011|author=DreamWorks Animation|archive-date=October 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015162213/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dreamworks-animation-reports-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2010-financial-results-116862013.html|url-status=live}} The same year, the company purchased the film rights to the Trolls franchise.{{cite news | last=Graser | first=Marc | url=https://variety.com/2013/biz/news/troll-dolls-in-dreamworks-toy-chest-1200350401/ | title=Troll Dolls in DreamWorks' Toy Chest | work=Variety | date=April 11, 2013 | access-date=August 5, 2013 | archive-date=May 16, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516040131/http://variety.com/2013/biz/news/troll-dolls-in-dreamworks-toy-chest-1200350401/ | url-status=live }}

In July 2012, DreamWorks Animation won a $155 million bid to acquire Classic Media,{{cite news|last=Lieberman|first=David|title=DreamWorks Animation Agrees To Pay $155M For Classic Media|url=https://deadline.com/2012/07/dreamworks-animation-buy-classic-media-rocky-bullwinkle-305403/|access-date=July 24, 2012|newspaper=Deadline|date=July 23, 2012|archive-date=July 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120724184416/http://www.deadline.com/2012/07/dreamworks-animation-buy-classic-media-rocky-bullwinkle/|url-status=live}} which has since been renamed to DreamWorks Classics.{{cite news|last=Venkatesan|first=Adithya|title=DreamWorks to buy Classic Media for $155 million: WSJ|url=https://in.reuters.com/article/us-classicmedia-dreamworks-acquisition/dreamworks-to-buy-classic-media-for-155-million-wsj-idINBRE86M05920120723|access-date=August 13, 2012|newspaper=Reuters|date=July 23, 2012|archive-date=September 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922100509/http://in.reuters.com/article/us-classicmedia-dreamworks-acquisition/dreamworks-to-buy-classic-media-for-155-million-wsj-idINBRE86M05920120723|url-status=dead}} In August 2012, DreamWorks Animation formed a joint venture with Chinese investment companies to establish a Shanghai-based entertainment company, named Oriental DreamWorks, to develop and produce original Chinese films and their derivatives.{{cite news|title=Oriental DreamWorks Rewrites Its China Production Strategy|url=https://variety.com/2013/film/news/oriental-dreamworks-rewrites-its-china-production-strategy-1200601504/#|access-date=November 14, 2013|newspaper=Variety|first=Patrick|last=Frater|date=September 6, 2013|archive-date=November 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114195031/http://variety.com/2013/film/news/oriental-dreamworks-rewrites-its-china-production-strategy-1200601504/|url-status=live}}

According to a Los Angeles Times report, DreamWorks Animation was in talks with Sony Pictures to distribute its upcoming films, such as the 2013 releases of The Croods and Turbo. The report also mentioned a possibility where Sony would handle United States distribution while 20th Century Fox would handle international distribution. Renewal of the deal with Paramount was also open, but only with more favorable terms for Paramount (they even offered a one-year extension of the deal, but Katzenberg desired to get a better deal).{{cite news|last1=Horn|first1=John|last2=Fritz|first2=Ben|title=DreamWorks Animation could be headed to Sony|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-dreamworks-animation-sony-20120712,0,6507312.story|access-date=July 18, 2012|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=July 13, 2012|archive-date=July 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717005424/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-dreamworks-animation-sony-20120712,0,6507312.story|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Finke|first1=Nikki|title=Paramount Expects DreamWorks Toon Exit; Studio Starts Paramount Animation Unit; Jeff Katzenberg Zeroing In Time Warner|url=https://deadline.com/2011/07/paramount-starting-animation-division-145386/|access-date=July 25, 2017|newspaper=Deadline|date=July 6, 2011|archive-date=September 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922100025/http://deadline.com/2011/07/paramount-starting-animation-division-145386/|url-status=live}} Around the same time, DreamWorks Animation entered talks with Warner Bros. for a potential distribution deal as well, only to be turned down by the studio.{{cite news |last1=Fritz |first1=Ben |title=Warner Bros. uninterested in DreamWorks Animation deal |url=https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2011/07/dreamworks-animation-deal-with-warner-bros-appears-unlikely.html |access-date=February 21, 2020 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=July 29, 2011 |archive-date=February 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221221959/https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2011/07/dreamworks-animation-deal-with-warner-bros-appears-unlikely.html |url-status=live }}

In August 2012, DreamWorks Animation signed a five-year distribution deal with 20th Century Fox for all territories.{{cite news|last=Finke|first=Nikki|title=EXCLUSIVE: DreamWorks Animation To Fox For New 5-Year Distribution Deal; Paying Fees Of 8% Theatrical And 6% Digital|url=https://deadline.com/2012/08/exclusive-dreamworks-animation-to-fox-321701/|access-date=August 20, 2012|newspaper=Deadline Hollywood|date=August 20, 2012|archive-date=August 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120822012707/http://www.deadline.com/2012/08/exclusive-dreamworks-animation-to-fox/|url-status=live}} However, the deal did not include the distribution rights of previously released films, which DWA acquired from Paramount later in 2014.{{cite news|last1=Chney|first1=Alexandra|title=DreamWorks Animation Q2 Earnings Fall Short of Estimates, SEC Investigation Revealed|url=https://variety.com/2014/biz/news/dreamworks-animation-q2-earnings-fall-short-of-estimates-1201271262/|access-date=July 30, 2014|work=Variety|date=July 29, 2014|archive-date=June 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623141606/https://variety.com/2014/biz/news/dreamworks-animation-q2-earnings-fall-short-of-estimates-1201271262/|url-status=live}} Rise of the Guardians (2012) was the last DreamWorks Animation film to be distributed by Paramount, and The Croods became the first DreamWorks Animation film to be distributed by 20th Century Fox.

On April 11, 2013, DreamWorks Animation announced that it has acquired the intellectual property for the Trolls franchise from the Dam Family and Dam Things. DreamWorks Animation, which has "big plans for the franchise", has become the exclusive worldwide licensor of the merchandise rights, except for Scandinavia, where Dam Things remains the licensor. On May 1, Katzenberg and DWA announced their intent to purchase YouTube channel AwesomenessTV, which was finalized later in the month.Lieberman, David. (May 1, 2013). [https://deadline.com/2013/05/dreamworks-animation-agrees-to-pay-33m-for-awesomenesstv-487571/ DreamWorks Animation Agrees To Pay $33M+ For AwesomenessTV] . Deadline Hollywood.

The following month, DWA announced a multi-year content deal to provide 300 hours of exclusive original content to the video on demand Internet streaming media provider, Netflix.{{cite news|last1=Szalai|first1=George|title=Netflix to Air New DreamWorks Animation Shows|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/netflix-air-new-dreamworks-animation-569874|access-date=October 12, 2014|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=June 17, 2013|archive-date=October 25, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025110613/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/netflix-air-new-dreamworks-animation-569874|url-status=live}} Part of the intent of the deal was in part to establish a more reliable income for DWA to defray the financial risk of solely relying on the theatrical film market.{{cite web |url=http://zolmax.com/netflix-secures-deal-with-dreamworks-for-new-shows-nasdaqnflx/75785/ |title=» Netflix Secures Deal With DreamWorks For New Shows (NASDAQ:NFLX) |website=Zolmax |date=June 28, 2013 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |archive-date=July 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703072015/http://zolmax.com/netflix-secures-deal-with-dreamworks-for-new-shows-nasdaqnflx/75785/ |url-status=live }} The next day, DWA completed a five-year licensing agreement with Super RTL to start that September for the Classic Media library and the Netflix slate.{{cite news|last1=Spangler|first1=Todd|title=DreamWorks Animation Sees $100m Revenue This Year From Netflix, Other TV Deals|url=https://variety.com/2013/digital/news/dreamworks-animation-sees-100m-revenue-this-year-from-netflix-other-tv-deals-1200498406/|access-date=October 12, 2014|work=Variety|date=June 18, 2013|archive-date=December 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219135542/http://variety.com/2013/digital/news/dreamworks-animation-sees-100m-revenue-this-year-from-netflix-other-tv-deals-1200498406/|url-status=live}} With the Netflix and Super RTL deals in place for TV, DWA announced executive hiring for its new television group, DreamWorks Animation Television in late July. Former Nickelodeon senior executive Margie Cohn became Head of Television for the group.{{cite news|last=Graser|first=Marc|title=Nickelodeon Vet Marjorie Cohn to Run DreamWorks Animation Television|url=https://variety.com/2013/tv/news/nickelodeon-vet-marjorie-cohn-to-run-dreamworks-animation-television-1200570293/|access-date=August 5, 2013|newspaper=Variety|date=July 31, 2013|archive-date=August 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130803162608/http://variety.com/2013/tv/news/nickelodeon-vet-marjorie-cohn-to-run-dreamworks-animation-television-1200570293/|url-status=live}} In September that same year, DreamWorks announced that it has acquired the TV library of London-based Chapman Entertainment with the programs to distributed through DWA's UK-based TV distribution operation.{{cite news |last=Vivarelli |first=Nick |title=DreamWorks Animation Buys Chapman Entertainment Library |url=https://variety.com/2013/tv/news/dreamworks-animation-buys-chapman-entertainment-library-1200616294/# |access-date=November 14, 2013 |newspaper=Variety |date=September 18, 2013 |archive-date=November 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131124050141/http://variety.com/2013/tv/news/dreamworks-animation-buys-chapman-entertainment-library-1200616294/ |url-status=live }}

The next year, in February, DreamWorks announced the foundation of a new publishing division called DreamWorks Press, to publish books in print and digital form.{{cite news |last=Trachtenberg |first=Jeffrey A. |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304450904579369402273047942 |title=DreamWorks Animation Creates Children's Books Imprint |newspaper=Wall Street Journal |date=February 10, 2014 |access-date=February 10, 2014 |archive-date=April 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413033722/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304450904579369402273047942 |url-status=live }} In June, the rights to Felix the Cat were acquired by DreamWorks Animation from Felix the Cat Productions, owned by Don Oriolo.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/dreamworks-animation-acquires-rights-to-felix-the-cat-1201221646/|title=DreamWorks Animation Buys Felix the Cat|last=McNary|first=Dave|date=June 17, 2014|work=Variety|access-date=June 17, 2014|archive-date=June 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628204955/https://variety.com/2014/film/news/dreamworks-animation-acquires-rights-to-felix-the-cat-1201221646/|url-status=live}} The same month, DreamWorksTV channel debuted on YouTube and operated by AwesomenessTV.{{cite news|last1=Verrier|first1=Richard|last2=Chang|first2=Andrea|title=DreamWorks Animation launches family-oriented YouTube channel|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-dreamworks-animation-youtube-20140617-story.html|access-date=June 18, 2014|work=Los Angeles Times|date=June 17, 2014|archive-date=June 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140617233712/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-dreamworks-animation-youtube-20140617-story.html|url-status=live}} DreamWorks Animation then purchased Paramount's distribution rights to the pre-2013 library in July, and since then, DreamWorks Animation's then-distribution partner 20th Century Fox has distributed the library on their behalf until 2018, in which DreamWorks Animation's parent company Universal Pictures has assumed these responsibilities.

The studio was reported to be acquired twice in the end of 2014. First, it was reported in September that the Japanese conglomerate SoftBank was in talks to acquire DreamWorks Animation for a price of $3.4 billion,{{cite news|last1=Krolicki|first1=Kevin|last2=Bansal|first2=Paritosh|title=Japan's SoftBank in talks to buy DreamWorks: source|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-dreamworks-anim-softbank-idUSKCN0HN03F20140928|access-date=November 15, 2014|work=Reuters.com|publisher=Thomson Reuters|date=September 28, 2014|archive-date=March 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311014334/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-dreamworks-anim-softbank-idUSKCN0HN03F20140928|url-status=live}} but the next day, it was reported that SoftBank had withdrawn its offer.{{cite web|last1=Schwartzel|first1=Erich|last2=Mattioli|first2=Dana|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/softbank-dreamworks-animation-talks-cool-1412025651|title=SoftBank, DreamWorks Animation Talks Cool|date=September 29, 2014|access-date=November 15, 2014|work=The Wall Street Journal|archive-date=December 30, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230233858/http://www.wsj.com/articles/softbank-dreamworks-animation-talks-cool-1412025651|url-status=live}} Next on November 12, it was reported that Hasbro was in talks to buy DreamWorks Animation in November. The proposal reportedly calls for the combined company to take the name "DreamWorks-Hasbro" and for Jeffrey Katzenberg to become its chairman, but as a matter of policy, neither Hasbro nor DWA publicly comment on mergers and acquisitions.{{cite news|last1=Lieberman|first1=David|last2=Patten|first2=Dominic|title=DreamWorks Animation & Hasbro In Merger Talks; Deal With Hearst Looming|url=https://deadline.com/2014/11/dreamworks-animation-hasbro-merger-negotiations-in-works-1201282751/|access-date=November 15, 2014|website=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Penske Business Media|date=November 12, 2014|archive-date=November 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115075936/http://deadline.com/2014/11/dreamworks-animation-hasbro-merger-negotiations-in-works-1201282751/|url-status=live}} Two days later, the talks were reported to have fallen through.{{cite news|last1=de la Merced|first1=Michael J.|last2=Barnes|first2=Brooks|title=Hasbro Said to End Talks to Take Over DreamWorks Animation|url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/11/14/hasbro-said-to-end-talks-to-take-over-dreamworks-animation/|access-date=November 15, 2014|work=The New York Times|date=November 14, 2014|archive-date=November 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115103415/http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/11/14/hasbro-said-to-end-talks-to-take-over-dreamworks-animation/|url-status=live}}

DreamWorks Animation announced their launch into the television broadcasting business on December 9, 2014, by creating their own channel called the DreamWorks Channel. With HBO Asia handling affiliate sales, marketing and technical services, the network launched in several Asian countries (except China and Japan) in the second half of 2015.{{cite news|last1=Bond|first1=Paul|title=DreamWorks Animation to Launch TV Channel in Asia|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dreamworks-animation-launch-tv-channel-755631|access-date=December 10, 2014|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=December 9, 2014|archive-date=June 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180629023717/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dreamworks-animation-launch-tv-channel-755631|url-status=live}} The channel first premiered in English on August 1, 2015, and a Thai-dubbed channel launched in September 2015.{{cite news|title=DreamWorks to launch first dedicated channel in Thailand|first=David|last=Blecken|url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/dreamworks-launch-first-dedicated-channel-thailand/1358017|access-date=August 3, 2015|work=Campaign|date=July 29, 2015|archive-date=August 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150813204355/http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/dreamworks-launch-first-dedicated-channel-thailand/1358017|url-status=live}} Also in December, DWA sold a 25% stake in AwesomenessTV for $81.25 million to the Hearst Corporation.{{cite news|last1=Verrier|first1=Richard|title=Hearst Corp. buys 25% stake in AwesomenessTV|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-dreamworks-hearst-20141211-story.html|access-date=December 16, 2014|work=Los Angeles Times|date=December 11, 2014|archive-date=December 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216062614/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-dreamworks-hearst-20141211-story.html|url-status=live}}

On January 5, 2015, DreamWorks Animation announced that Bonnie Arnold, producer of the How to Train Your Dragon series and Mireille Soria, producer of the Madagascar series were named co-presidents of the studio's feature animation division. At the same time, it was also announced that Bill Damaschke would step down from his position as Chief Creative Officer. So far, under Arnold and Soria's current tenure they signed Jason Reitman{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/05/jason-reitman-beekle-book-adaptation-dreamworks-animation-1201433534/|title=Jason Reitman Takes On 'Beekle' Book Adaptation For DreamWorks Animation|first=Dominic|last=Patten|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=May 27, 2015|access-date=February 19, 2020|archive-date=December 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214132210/https://deadline.com/2015/05/jason-reitman-beekle-book-adaptation-dreamworks-animation-1201433534/|url-status=live}} and Edgar Wright{{cite web|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/634723-edgar-wright-to-direct-dreamworks-animations-movie-on-shadows|title=Edgar Wright to Direct DreamWorks Animation's Movie on Shadows|date=November 19, 2015|work=ComingSoon.net|access-date=February 19, 2020|archive-date=February 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200211210406/https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/634723-edgar-wright-to-direct-dreamworks-animations-movie-on-shadows|url-status=live}} to work on their own animation debuts. Two weeks later, PDI/DreamWorks completely shut down as part of its parent company's larger restructuring efforts due to the box office underperformance of Mr. Peabody & Sherman and Penguins of Madagascar (both 2014), cutting 500 jobs.{{cite news|title=BREAKING: DreamWorks Will Shut Down PDI/DreamWorks Studio; 500 Jobs Will Be Eliminated|url=https://www.cartoonbrew.com/business/breaking-dreamworks-animation-will-shut-down-pdidreamworks-studio-over-500-jobs-will-be-eliminated-108161.html|newspaper=Cartoon Brew|date=January 22, 2015|first=Amid |author-link=Amid Amidi|last=Amidi|access-date=June 29, 2020|archive-date=July 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730024759/https://www.cartoonbrew.com/business/breaking-dreamworks-animation-will-shut-down-pdidreamworks-studio-over-500-jobs-will-be-eliminated-108161.html|url-status=live}}

On April 28, 2016, Comcast officially announced that its NBCUniversal division intended on acquiring DreamWorks Animation for $3.8 billion, valuing the company at $41 per share.{{cite news |title=COMCAST CONFIRMS IT WILL BUY DREAMWORKS ANIMATION |url=https://filmindustry.network/comcast-confirms-will-buy-dreamworks-animation/30974 |publisher=Film Industry Network |date=April 28, 2016 |access-date=June 30, 2019 |archive-date=March 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303144750/https://filmindustry.network/comcast-confirms-will-buy-dreamworks-animation/30974 |url-status=live }} Jeffrey Katzenberg was to remain involved in the company as head of DreamWorks New Media, but was to cede control of the studio to Illumination's CEO Chris Meledandri, who would oversee both.{{cite web |title=Comcast's NBCUniversal buys DreamWorks Animation in $3.8-billion deal |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-nbcuniversal-buys-dreamworks--20160428-story.html |first=Meg |last=James |date=April 28, 2016 |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=April 28, 2016 |archive-date=June 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615004957/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-nbcuniversal-buys-dreamworks--20160428-story.html |url-status=live }} The sale was approved by board members, but subject to regulatory approval.{{cite news|title=Comcast is buying Dreamworks in a $3.8 billion acquisition|first=Brian|last=Fung|date=April 28, 2016|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2016/04/28/comcast-is-buying-dreamworks-in-a-3-8-billion-acquisition/|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=May 1, 2016|archive-date=April 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429134321/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2016/04/28/comcast-is-buying-dreamworks-in-a-3-8-billion-acquisition/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=How A DreamWorks-Illumination Combo Beats Disney At The B.O.|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|url=https://deadline.com/2016/04/dreamworks-animation-illumination-entertainment-box-office-disney-1201746534/|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=April 29, 2016|access-date=May 2, 2016|archive-date=May 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502095403/http://deadline.com/2016/04/dreamworks-animation-illumination-entertainment-box-office-disney-1201746534/|url-status=live}} At Guggenheim Partners' TMT Symposium, NBCUniversal CEO Steve Burke discussed how the purchase of DWA would fit into its business strategies. Burke explained that Meledandri planned to "take a lot of the existing DreamWorks franchises and add value as we create new franchises", and that the main goal was to "[take] the low-single-digit returns of the movie business and turn it into a different kind of business" by creating new intellectual property that can be merchandised and adapted into theme park attractions. Burke reaffirmed a commitment to animated features, stating that Universal Pictures would be able to release as many as four animated films per-year, divided between DreamWorks and Illumination. Burke also outlined that the purchase would be beneficial to Universal's expanding presence in China (where it was building a new Universal Studios park in Beijing).{{cite web|title=NBCUniversal Execs Reassure DreamWorks Animation Staffers They Are Committed to More Animated Features|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nbcuniversal-execs-reassure-dreamworks-animation-890873|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=May 4, 2016|access-date=May 5, 2016|archive-date=May 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505025703/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nbcuniversal-execs-reassure-dreamworks-animation-890873|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=NBCU Chief Looks To Revive 'Shrek' And Sales From DreamWorks Animation Deal|url=https://deadline.com/2016/06/steve-burke-nbcuniversal-revive-shrek-sales-dreamworks-animation-deal-1201772640/|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=June 14, 2016|access-date=June 15, 2016|archive-date=April 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200423131423/https://deadline.com/2016/06/steve-burke-nbcuniversal-revive-shrek-sales-dreamworks-animation-deal-1201772640/|url-status=live}} On June 21, the acquisition was approved by the United States Department of Justice.{{cite web|title=Antitrust Officials Clear Comcast's $3.8B DreamWorks Animation Acquisition|url=https://deadline.com/2016/06/justice-department-clears-comcast-acquisition-dreamworks-animation-1201776808/|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=June 21, 2016|access-date=June 23, 2016|archive-date=June 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160622132756/http://deadline.com/2016/06/justice-department-clears-comcast-acquisition-dreamworks-animation-1201776808/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|first=Julia|last=Boorstin|title=NBCUniversal's Ron Meyer: Here's why we bought Dreamworks Animation|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2016/07/07/nbcuniversals-ron-meyer-heres-why-we-bought-dreamworks-animation.html|work=CNBC|date=July 7, 2016|access-date=September 9, 2017|archive-date=August 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804060014/https://www.cnbc.com/2016/07/07/nbcuniversals-ron-meyer-heres-why-we-bought-dreamworks-animation.html|url-status=live}} The purchase was closed on August 22, 2016; the company now operates as a subsidiary of Universal Pictures.{{cite web|title=Comcast Completes Its $3.8B DreamWorks Animation Purchase|url=https://deadline.com/2016/08/comcast-completes-dreamworks-animation-purchase-1201807164/|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=August 22, 2016|access-date=August 23, 2016|archive-date=August 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823100053/http://deadline.com/2016/08/comcast-completes-dreamworks-animation-purchase-1201807164/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Comcast's NBCUniversal completes purchase of DreamWorks Animation|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-comcast-dreamworks-deal-complete-20160822-snap-story.html|website=Los Angeles Times|date=August 23, 2016|access-date=August 23, 2016|archive-date=August 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823165212/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-comcast-dreamworks-deal-complete-20160822-snap-story.html|url-status=live}} DreamWorks Animation's last films distributed by 20th Century Fox were Trolls (November 2016), The Boss Baby (March 2017) and Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie (June 2017), and their first film distributed by Universal was How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019).{{cite web|title='Croods 2' Release Delayed Amid DreamWorks Animation Sale|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/croods-2-release-delayed-dreamworks-918493|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=August 9, 2016|access-date=August 23, 2016|archive-date=October 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011161909/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/croods-2-release-delayed-dreamworks-918493|url-status=live}}

Although a spokesperson stated that Meledandri would work with Universal Pictures to determine "the most effective path forward for Illumination and DreamWorks Animation", he did not take over DreamWorks as was previously announced, and the two studios remain separate. Arnold and Soria retained their positions as co-presidents of DreamWorks' Feature Animation division, while Margie Cohn would lead a television animation division for the entire Universal Studios group. DreamWorks' digital, marketing, consumer products, and gaming divisions were absorbed into NBCUniversal.{{cite news|title=NBCUniversal Unveils New Leadership Structure at DreamWorks|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/nbcuniversal-unveils-new-leadership-structure-at-dreamworks-1471981256|website=Wall Street Journal|date=August 23, 2016|access-date=August 24, 2016|last1=Schwartzel|first1=Erich|archive-date=October 6, 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171006221352/https://www.wsj.com/articles/nbcuniversal-unveils-new-leadership-structure-at-dreamworks-1471981256|url-status=live}}{{cite web|date=August 23, 2016|first=Mia|last=Galuppo|title=NBCUniversal Unveils New DreamWorks Annimation Senior Management|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nbcuniversal-unveils-new-dreamworks-annimation-922057|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=September 3, 2016|archive-date=August 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827094502/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nbcuniversal-unveils-new-dreamworks-annimation-922057|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Chinese Government Probing Comcast's DreamWorks Acquisition|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/features/chinese-government-probing-comcasts-dreamworks-acquisition/|website=Animation Magazine|date=September 2, 2016|access-date=September 3, 2016|archive-date=September 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160904160614/http://www.animationmagazine.net/features/chinese-government-probing-comcasts-dreamworks-acquisition/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=NBCU Drops the Axe on 200 DreamWorks Jobs|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/features/nbcu-drops-the-axe-on-200-dreamworks-jobs/|website=Animation Magazine|date=September 15, 2016|access-date=September 16, 2016|archive-date=September 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160916132315/http://www.animationmagazine.net/features/nbcu-drops-the-axe-on-200-dreamworks-jobs/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=DreamWorks Layoffs Hit Glendale with 170 to Go|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/people/dreamworks-layoffs-hit-glendale-with-170-to-go/|website=Animation Magazine|date=December 2, 2016|access-date=December 2, 2016|archive-date=December 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161203011106/http://www.animationmagazine.net/people/dreamworks-layoffs-hit-glendale-with-170-to-go/|url-status=live}} On December 21, 2016, Soria stepped down from her position as co-president of DreamWorks' Feature Animation division.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/mireille-soria-exits-dreamworks-animation-1201947222/|title=Mireille Soria Steps Down as DreamWorks Animation Co-President (EXCLUSIVE)|work=Variety|date=December 21, 2016|access-date=December 22, 2016|archive-date=December 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222152324/http://variety.com/2016/film/news/mireille-soria-exits-dreamworks-animation-1201947222/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/dreamworks-animation-co-president-mireille-soria-steps/|title=DreamWorks Animation Co-President Mireille Soria Steps Down|work=The Wrap|date=December 21, 2016|access-date=December 22, 2016|archive-date=December 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222045736/http://www.thewrap.com/dreamworks-animation-co-president-mireille-soria-steps/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cartoonbrew.com/studios/breaking-mireille-soria-dreamworks-animations-co-president-146837.html|title=Breaking: Mireille Soria Out As Dreamworks Animation's Co-President|website=Cartoon Brew|date=December 22, 2016|access-date=December 22, 2016|archive-date=December 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222153659/http://www.cartoonbrew.com/studios/breaking-mireille-soria-dreamworks-animations-co-president-146837.html|url-status=live}}

In January 2017, Christopher DeFaria joined DreamWorks Animation in the newly created position of president of the DreamWorks Feature Animation Group.{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/dreamworks-animation-finds-new-ceo-warner-bros-veteran-963186|title=DreamWorks Animation Finds New Chief in Warner Bros. Veteran (Exclusive)|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=January 12, 2017|archive-date=January 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170112012812/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/dreamworks-animation-finds-new-ceo-warner-bros-veteran-963186|url-status=live}} As president, DeFaria oversaw all aspects of DWA's feature animation business, including slate strategy, development, production; innovation and technology; and business affairs.{{Cite news|url=https://kidscreen.com/2017/01/26/dreamworks-acquisition-boosts-comcasts-q4-results/|title=DreamWorks acquisition boosts Comcast's Q4 results|website=Kidscreen|access-date=January 27, 2017|archive-date=January 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170127092129/http://kidscreen.com/2017/01/26/dreamworks-acquisition-boosts-comcasts-q4-results/|url-status=live}} On August 1, it was announced that DreamWorks Animation and Blumhouse Productions would be working on Blumhouse's first animated film, Spooky Jack.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/08/spooky-jack-dreamworks-animation-blumhouse-animated-scary-film-robert-ben-garant-1202140279/|title=DreamWorks Animation, Blumhouse Team For Animated Pic 'Spooky Jack'|last=Fleming|first=Mike Jr.|date=August 1, 2017|website=Deadline|access-date=February 19, 2020|archive-date=August 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802004307/https://deadline.com/2017/08/spooky-jack-dreamworks-animation-blumhouse-animated-scary-film-robert-ben-garant-1202140279/|url-status=live}} The film was initially set to be released on September 17, 2021, but was removed from the release schedule as The Bad Guys (2022) took over its release date.{{cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3460035/blumhouse-animated-film-spooky-jack-gets-distant-release-date/|title=Blumhouse Animated Film 'Spooky Jack' Gets Distant Release Date - Bloody Disgusting|website=bloody-disgusting.com|date=September 19, 2017|access-date=February 19, 2020|archive-date=September 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170919234659/https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3460035/blumhouse-animated-film-spooky-jack-gets-distant-release-date/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|date=October 7, 2019|title=DreamWorks Animation & Universal To Release 'Spirit Riding Free' & 'The Bad Guys' In 2021|url=https://deadline.com/2019/10/dreamworks-animation-2021-releases-spirit-riding-free-the-bad-guys-1202753767/|access-date=June 26, 2021|website=Deadline|language=en-US|archive-date=December 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205053635/https://deadline.com/2019/10/dreamworks-animation-2021-releases-spirit-riding-free-the-bad-guys-1202753767/|url-status=live}} On October 6, it was announced that Abhijay Prakash would be COO of DWA.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/10/dreamworks-animation-abhijay-prakash-coo-focus-features-1202183566/|title=Focus Features Chief Abhijay Prakash Will Join DreamWorks Animation As COO|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|date=October 6, 2017|website=Deadline|access-date=February 19, 2020|archive-date=February 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202213850/https://deadline.com/2017/10/dreamworks-animation-abhijay-prakash-coo-focus-features-1202183566/|url-status=live}} He was later promoted to president of the Universal Filmed Entertainment Group in February 2019 following the release of How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World,{{cite news |last1=Hipes |first1=Patrick |title=Universal Solidifies Film Execs Under New Chairman Donna Langley |url=https://deadline.com/2019/01/universal-film-group-executives-donna-langley-promotions-1202546806/ |access-date=July 10, 2019 |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=January 31, 2019 |language=en |archive-date=July 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711025431/https://deadline.com/2019/01/universal-film-group-executives-donna-langley-promotions-1202546806/ |url-status=live }} and DreamWorks Animation subsequently hired former Sony Pictures Imageworks head Randy Lake as the new chief operating officer of the company three months later.{{cite news |last1=Vlessing |first1=Etan |title=Randy Lake Named COO of DreamWorks Animation |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/randy-lake-named-coo-dreamworks-animation-1210974 |access-date=May 15, 2019 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=May 15, 2019 |language=en |archive-date=May 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515221242/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/randy-lake-named-coo-dreamworks-animation-1210974 |url-status=live }} On November 13, 2017, it was announced that DreamWorks Animation had started a shorts program, called DreamWorks Shorts, which would show original animated short films before DWA's feature films, much akin to what Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios do for their feature films. The first short film to be produced under the program was Bird Karma, which premiered in Spring 2018.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/1202613777-1202613777/|title=DreamWorks Animation Launches Shorts Program With 'Bird Karma'|work=Variety|last1=Horst|first1=Carole|date=November 13, 2017|access-date=November 15, 2017|archive-date=November 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114020658/http://variety.com/2017/film/news/1202613777-1202613777/|url-status=live}}

On February 2, 2018, CMC Capital Partners bought DreamWorks', Shanghai Media Group's, and Shanghai Alliance Investment's stakes in Oriental DreamWorks, owning the studio in its entirety; Oriental DreamWorks was later renamed to Pearl Studio. Pearl Studio collaborated with DreamWorks to produce Abominable (2019), with the film's original director, Jill Culton, returning.{{cite web|url=https://www.cartoonbrew.com/business/oriental-dreamworks-relaunches-100-chinese-owned-pearl-studio-156372.html|title=Oriental Dreamworks Relaunches As 100% Chinese-Owned Pearl Studio|last1=Amidi|first1=Amid |author-link=Amid Amidi|website=Cartoon Brew|date=February 2, 2018|access-date=February 2, 2018|archive-date=February 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203000222/http://www.cartoonbrew.com/business/oriental-dreamworks-relaunches-100-chinese-owned-pearl-studio-156372.html|url-status=live}} On February 27, DreamWorks Animation announced that Kelly Betz has been promoted as Chief Financial Officer.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/02/dreamworks-animation-kelly-betz-cfo-promotion-1202304902/|title=DWA Elevates Kelly Betz To CFO|first=Patrick|last=Hipes|date=February 27, 2018|website=Deadline|access-date=February 19, 2020|archive-date=February 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220201316/https://deadline.com/2018/02/dreamworks-animation-kelly-betz-cfo-promotion-1202304902/|url-status=live}} On May 2, Hulu announced its first license deal with DreamWorks Animation, becoming the exclusive streaming home for future DWA feature films, as well as library films. DWA had streamed exclusively through Netflix since 2013.{{cite news|last1=Gruenwedel|first1=Erik|title=Hulu Tops 20 Million Subs, Inks First Deal with DreamWorks Animation|url=https://www.mediaplaynews.com/hulu-tops-20-million-subs-inks-first-deal-with-dreamworks-animation/|access-date=May 2, 2018|work=Media Play News|date=May 2, 2018|archive-date=May 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503041617/https://www.mediaplaynews.com/hulu-tops-20-million-subs-inks-first-deal-with-dreamworks-animation/|url-status=live}} On July 25, 2018, Viacom Media Networks announced that it was in talks to acquire AwesomenessTV for a fraction of the company's $650 million valuation in 2016.{{cite news|last1=Spangler|first1=Todd|title=Viacom in Talks to Buy AwesomenessTV|url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/viacom-acquiring-awesomenesstv-1202883852/|access-date=July 27, 2018|work=Variety|date=July 25, 2018|archive-date=July 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726111511/https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/viacom-acquiring-awesomenesstv-1202883852/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Hayes|first1=Dade|title=Viacom In Talks To Acquire AwesomenessTV At Attractive Discount|url=https://deadline.com/2018/07/viacom-in-talks-to-acquire-awesomenesstv-at-attractive-discount-1202433160/|access-date=July 27, 2018|work=Deadline|date=July 25, 2018|archive-date=July 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728035718/https://deadline.com/2018/07/viacom-in-talks-to-acquire-awesomenesstv-at-attractive-discount-1202433160/|url-status=live}} Two days later on July 27, 2018, Viacom officially acquired AwesomenessTV for $25–50 million and integrated the company into Viacom Digital Studios. Jordan Levin left his position as CEO following the acquisition.{{cite news|last1=Spangler|first1=Todd|title=Viacom Acquires AwesomenessTV; CEO Jordan Levin to Depart|url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/viacom-acquires-awesomenesstv-jordan-levin-exit-1202888377/|access-date=July 27, 2018|work=Variety|date=July 27, 2018|archive-date=July 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727202339/https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/viacom-acquires-awesomenesstv-jordan-levin-exit-1202888377/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Chmielewski|first1=Dawn|title=Viacom Acquires AwesomenessTV; CEO Jordan Levin To Depart|url=https://deadline.com/2018/07/viacom-acquires-awesomenesstv-ceo-jordan-levin-departs-1202435179/|access-date=July 27, 2018|work=Deadline|date=July 27, 2018|archive-date=July 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727213132/https://deadline.com/2018/07/viacom-acquires-awesomenesstv-ceo-jordan-levin-departs-1202435179/|url-status=live}} However, the deal does not include the DreamWorksTV YouTube channel, which is still retained by NBCUniversal, where it was integrated into NBCU Digital Enterprises Group, a new digital entertainment division led by President Maggie Suniewick.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/viacom-awesomenesstv-deal-value-dreamworkstv-nbcu-1202889801/|title=Viacom's AwesomenessTV Deal Worth More Than $50 Million: Sources|date=July 30, 2018|access-date=August 10, 2018|archive-date=August 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819060731/https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/viacom-awesomenesstv-deal-value-dreamworkstv-nbcu-1202889801/|url-status=live}} On July 30, 2018, Variety reported that the deal is worth at least $50 million.{{cite web |last1=Spangler |first1=Todd |title=Viacom's AwesomenessTV Deal Worth More Than $50 Million: Sources |url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/viacom-awesomenesstv-deal-value-dreamworkstv-nbcu-1202889801/ |website=Variety |date=July 30, 2018 |access-date=July 30, 2018 |archive-date=August 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819060731/https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/viacom-awesomenesstv-deal-value-dreamworkstv-nbcu-1202889801/ |url-status=live }}

On November 6, 2018, it was announced that Meledandri would be helping Universal and DreamWorks to revive the Shrek franchise.{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/shrek-puss-in-boots-reboot-1203020785/|title='Shrek,' 'Puss in Boots' Getting Rebooted (EXCLUSIVE)|last=Lang|first=Brett|date=November 6, 2018|work=Variety|access-date=November 6, 2018|archive-date=November 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106210745/https://variety.com/2018/film/news/shrek-puss-in-boots-reboot-1203020785/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Lang|first=Brent|title=How Chris Meledandri Became the Most Powerful Man in Animation|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/features/chris-meledandri-illumination-minions-the-grinch-1203020068/|work=Variety|access-date=November 6, 2018|date=November 6, 2018|archive-date=November 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181108210137/https://variety.com/2018/film/features/chris-meledandri-illumination-minions-the-grinch-1203020068/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-09-12/in-dismal-summer-despicable-me-3-producer-delivers-1-billion|title=In Dismal Summer, 'Despicable Me 3' Producer Delivers $1 Billion|last1=Palmeri|first1=Christopher|last2=Sakoui|first2=Anousha|website=Bloomberg Businessweek|date=September 12, 2017|access-date=January 29, 2018|archive-date=September 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929135104/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-09-12/in-dismal-summer-despicable-me-3-producer-delivers-1-billion|url-status=live}} Meledandri intends, however, to retain the original voice actors, as he pointed out they were perhaps the most memorable parts of the series. The first film in this collaboration, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, on which Meledandri served as executive producer, was released in December 2022 to universal acclaim and commercial success.{{cite news |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |title=Puss In Boots Takes Over 'Super Mario' Christmas 2022 Release Date |url=https://deadline.com/2022/04/puss-in-boots-the-last-wish-release-date-1235009625/ |access-date=April 26, 2022 |work=Deadline Hollywood |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |date=April 25, 2022 |archive-date=April 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426012112/https://deadline.com/2022/04/puss-in-boots-the-last-wish-release-date-1235009625/ |url-status=live }} On January 9, 2019, DeFaria stepped down from his position as president of the company, with DreamWorks Animation Television head Margie Cohn promoted to oversee all film and television operations.{{cite news |last1=D'Alessandro |first1=Anthony |title=Chris deFaria Exiting DreamWorks Animation As President; DWA TV Boss Margie Cohn Takes Over |url=https://deadline.com/2019/01/dreamworks-animation-shakeup-chris-defaria-president-leaving-margie-cohn-promoted-to-head-1202532334/ |access-date=January 9, 2019 |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=January 9, 2019 |language=en |archive-date=January 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110011102/https://deadline.com/2019/01/dreamworks-animation-shakeup-chris-defaria-president-leaving-margie-cohn-promoted-to-head-1202532334/ |url-status=live }}

On January 16, 2020, five new DreamWorks Animation shows were announced for Hulu and NBCUniversal's new video streaming service Peacock.{{cite web|last=Pedersen|first=Erik|title=Peacock Programming: List Of NBCUniversal Streaming Service's Series, Films, Sports, News & More|url=https://deadline.com/feature/peacock-tv-nbc-universal-streaming-service-1202832718/|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=January 16, 2020|access-date=January 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200117023637/https://deadline.com/feature/peacock-tv-nbc-universal-streaming-service-1202832718/|archive-date=January 17, 2020|url-status=live}} On August 5, 2022, DreamWorks announced plans to release their rendering software MoonRay as an open-source software in late 2022.{{cite news |last1=Sarto |first1=Dan |title=DreamWorks Animation to Release MoonRay as Open Source |url=https://www.awn.com/news/dreamworks-animation-release-moonray-open-source |access-date=November 28, 2022 |work=Animation World Network |date=August 5, 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Lang |first1=Jamie |title=Dreamworks' Moonray Rendering Software Is Going Open Source |url=https://www.cartoonbrew.com/tech/dreamworks-moonray-rendering-software-open-source-219507.html |access-date=November 28, 2022 |work=Cartoon Brew |date=August 5, 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Milligan |first1=Mercedes |title=DreamWorks Animation to Release MoonRay Renderer as Open Source Software |url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2022/08/dreamworks-animation-to-release-moonray-renderer-as-open-source-software/ |access-date=November 28, 2022 |work=Animation Magazine |date=August 5, 2022}} It was released on March 15, 2023.{{cite news |title=DreamWorks Animation Announces the Release of MoonRay as Open Source Software |url=https://openmoonray.org/MoonRay_Open_Source_Launch_Press_Release.pdf |access-date=10 January 2024 |date=March 15, 2023}}

On October 6, 2023, Cartoon Brew reported that DreamWorks Animation was moving away from producing films in-house at their Glendale campus to rely more heavily on outside studios after 2024, as part of a layoff by chief operating officer Randy Lake in a series of meetings the previous month; low morale was also reported. According to the report, Sony Pictures Imageworks was named as the animation service for one of two unannounced films scheduled for 2025, the film being a sequel. The film would use a "mixed production model", in which pre-production would be done in-house at DreamWorks along with approximately 50% of the asset build and one hour of production, while Imageworks will handle the other 50% of asset builds and 20 minutes of shot production.{{cite web |last1=Amidi |first1=Amid |author-link=Amid Amidi |title=Dreamworks Shifting Away From In-House Production In Los Angeles; Sony Imageworks Is A New Production Partner |url=https://www.cartoonbrew.com/studios/dreamworks-shifting-away-from-in-house-production-in-los-angeles-sony-imageworks-is-new-production-partner-233466.html |website=Cartoon Brew |access-date=8 October 2023 |date=6 October 2023}} The film was later revealed to be The Bad Guys 2.

In November 2024, DreamWorks Animation celebrated its 30th anniversary, while it was revealed that the company would venture into live-action filmmaking for the first time with its involvement on the live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon, set for release in 2025.{{cite press release |url=https://corporate.comcast.com/press/releases/nbcuniversal-celebrates-dreamworks-film-television-theme-parks-products |title=30 Years of DreamWorks Animation: How NBCUniversal Celebrates DreamWorks Across Film, Television, Theme Parks and Products |publisher=Comcast |date=October 16, 2024 |access-date=January 22, 2025}}

DreamWorks Animation inherited its logo from former parent company DreamWorks Pictures, depicting a boy sitting on a crescent moon with a fishing rod. From Antz (1998) to Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas (2003), the studio used the standard DreamWorks logo to open its features, which was illustrated by Robert Hunt and animated by Wes Takahashi.

In 2004, DreamWorks Animation introduced its own logo, in which the boy flies up to the moon via balloons in a daytime setting. Its music was adapted from the track "Fairytale" for the film Shrek (2001); the composer, Harry Gregson-Williams, was one of the co-composers of Shrek and composed its sequels as well as other DreamWorks films. The logo was used from Shrek 2 (2004) to Monsters vs. Aliens (2009).

In 2010, a new logo was unveiled, this time depicting the boy fishing on the moon in outer space. An updated version of Gregson-William's fanfare accompanied this logo, which would be used from How to Train Your Dragon (2010) to Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie (2017).

Following its acquisition by Universal Pictures in 2016, DreamWorks Animation introduced a new logo, which starts out in traditional animation before evolving to computer-generated imagery.{{cite web |title=DreamWorks Animation |url=https://closinglogosgroup.miraheze.org/wiki/DreamWorks_Animation |website=CLG Wiki |access-date=November 8, 2021 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107115906/https://closinglogosgroup.miraheze.org/wiki/DreamWorks_Animation |url-status=live }} A new fanfare was composed by John Powell, the other composer of Shrek film and various DreamWorks films, who adapted elements from the Shrek 2 track "Far Far Away" and John Williams' DreamWorks Pictures fanfare. The logo debuted on the first trailer of How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (for which Powell also composed the score) in 2018,{{cite web |title=How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World Trailer #1 (2019) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYe7oMmCFr0 |website=YouTube | date=June 7, 2018 |publisher=Movieclips Trailers |access-date=November 8, 2021 |archive-date=November 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108195833/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYe7oMmCFr0 |url-status=live }} but the fully-animated version with the fanfare debuted with the film's release on February 22, 2019.

In November 2022, another new logo was revealed, in which the re-dubbed "Moon Child" flies on the crescent moon and interacts with several DreamWorks characters (in order, those from The Bad Guys, How to Train Your Dragon, Kung Fu Panda, The Boss Baby, Trolls, and Shrek) before settling into their normal position. It features a rearranged version of the 2004 and 2010 fanfares by Harry Gregson-Williams, with elements of John Powell's previous fanfare. The logo was created by production designer Kendal Cronkhite (the Trolls films), Suzanne Buirgy (Home and Abominable) and a team of ten to forty people, taking eight months to complete. The characters in the logo also have modified designs to better fit the continuity. It made its debut on November 22, 2022, as an unlisted video on DreamWorks' YouTube channel,{{cite web |title=DreamWorks Animation New Theatrical Opener (2022) | website=YouTube | date=November 22, 2022 |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cRTl-lInUAo |access-date=November 28, 2022}} and made its on-screen debut on November 25 with the release of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.{{cite news |last1=White |first1=Abbey |title=DreamWorks Animation Unveils New Curtain Raiser, Introduces Reimagined "Moon Child" (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/dreamworks-animation-moon-child-curtain-raiser-1235269225/ |access-date=November 25, 2022 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=November 25, 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Grobar |first1=Matt |title=DreamWorks Animation Debuts New Animated Logo Sequence – Watch |url=https://deadline.com/2022/11/dreamworks-animation-debuts-new-animated-logo-sequence-1235181844/ |access-date=November 25, 2022 |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=November 25, 2022}} Character appearances in the logo began to vary with the release of Trolls Band Together (2023), where the Kung Fu Panda, The Boss Baby, and Trolls franchises were replaced by the Madagascar and The Croods franchises and Puss in Boots (2011) and its aforementioned sequel. In Dog Man (2025), The Bad Guys franchise is replaced by The Wild Robot (2024), with Gingy added in the logo.

Many of DreamWorks Animation's films are animated internally at their Glendale campus. Some of their films were animated/co-produced by Pacific Data Images; films include Antz, Shrek and its two sequels, the Madagascar film series, Megamind, and Mr. Peabody & Sherman. Puss in Boots and Penguins of Madagascar were partially animated at its Bangalore campus called DreamWorks Dedicated Unit (DDU).

Additionally, DreamWorks occasionally outsources its animation production to other studios. For example, Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie was animated by Mikros Image alongside Technicolor Animation Productions, and Spirit Untamed and Dog Man, along with production assets for The Boss Baby: Family Business, The Bad Guys and Kung Fu Panda 4 were provided by Jellyfish Pictures, which also did the marketing custom animation for Trolls World Tour alongside Minimo VFX, which provided rigging for Spirit Untamed and Dog Man. The Bad Guys 2 is expected to be the first film to use a mixed production model in conjunction with Sony Pictures Imageworks, in which pre-production would be done in-house at DreamWorks along with approximately 50% of the asset build and one hour of production, while Imageworks would handle the other 50% of asset builds and 20 minutes of shot production. It is currently unknown what outside animation studio(s) will animate Forgotten Island, Shrek 5, or the animated scenes for Gabby's Dollhouse: The Movie.

Since 2014, DreamWorks has used the in-house animation software Premo for their films, and since 2018, the studio has used their in-house renderer MoonRay, which was first used on the short film Bilby.

Most of DreamWorks' films tend to cost between $125–165 million, but Monsters vs. Aliens is the studio's most expensive film to date, with a budget of $175 million. After the release of How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, DreamWorks films started to have much lower costs in the $65–100 million range, similar to its sister studio, Illumination. Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie Spirit Untamed, and Dog Man cost $38 million, $30 million, and $40 million respectively.

DreamWorks does not have a house style. In an interview with Animation Magazine in 2012, Bill Damaschke stated that the studio doesn't stick to one specific film tone and that it's about leaning into the sensibilities of the filmmakers who work on their films, citing Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted and Rise of the Guardians contrasting each other.{{cite news |last1=Zahed |first1=Ramin |title=A Conversation with Bill Damaschke, CCO of DreamWorks |url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2012/04/a-conversation-with-bill-damaschke-cco-of-dreamworks/ |access-date=28 March 2024 |work=Animation Magazine |date=April 2, 2012}} Margie Cohn reaffirmed not having a house style in December 2022, stating that the studio can release a film that looks like The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, or Trolls.

DreamWorks Animation had an partnership with Hewlett-Packard that has been active from 2002, which was continued when the company split into two entities HP Inc. for its consumer division and Hewlett Packard Enterprise for its enterprise product division during its last years,{{cite news |last1=Godfrey |first1=Leigh |title=HP, DreamWorks Announce Strategic Alliance |url=https://www.awn.com/news/hp-dreamworks-announce-strategic-alliance |access-date=February 22, 2019 |work=Animation World Network |date=February 6, 2002 |language=en |archive-date=February 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190223131701/https://www.awn.com/news/hp-dreamworks-announce-strategic-alliance |url-status=live }} and the studio exclusively uses HP workstations and servers. In 2005, DWA partnered with HP to introduce HP Halo Telepresence Solutions, technologies that allow people in different locations to communicate in a face-to-face environment in real time.{{cite web | author=Hewlett-Packard | url=http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press/2005/051212xa.html | title=HP Unveils Halo Collaboration Studios: Life-like Communication Leaps Across Geographic Boundaries |website=hp.com | publisher=Hewlett-Packard | date=December 5, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051215101819/http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press/2005/051212xa.html|archive-date=December 15, 2005| access-date=October 30, 2010}}

In 2005, AMD signed a three-year deal to provide Opteron processors to the studio. This relationship ended in 2008, and DreamWorks announced that they would use Intel Xeon processors for all future productions.{{cite web | author=Bloomberg News | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-jul-09-fi-intel9-story.html | title=Intel to replace AMD as DreamWorks supplier | work=Los Angeles Times | date=July 9, 2008 | access-date=October 30, 2010 | archive-date=June 29, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629224317/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-jul-09-fi-intel9-story.html | url-status=live }} The same year, both companies announced a technology called InTru3D that allows DreamWorks to produce all of their future films in 3D, beginning with Monsters vs. Aliens.{{cite magazine |last1=Schiffman |first1=Betsy |title=DreamWorks, Intel Partner Up on 3-D Films |url=https://www.wired.com/2008/07/dreamworks-inte/ |access-date=March 30, 2019 |magazine=Wired |date=July 8, 2008 |archive-date=August 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815060343/https://www.wired.com/2008/07/dreamworks-inte/ |url-status=live }}

DreamWorks also has a partnership with NetApp in order to supply cloud-based storage that allows the company to complete its films.{{cite news |last1=Castellanos |first1=Sara |title=DreamWorks Looks to Reanimate Business With Advanced Analytics |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/cio/2018/08/08/dreamworks-looks-to-reanimate-business-with-advanced-analytics/ |access-date=February 22, 2019 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=August 8, 2018 |archive-date=February 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190223131629/https://blogs.wsj.com/cio/2018/08/08/dreamworks-looks-to-reanimate-business-with-advanced-analytics/ |url-status=live }}

In 2020, Lenovo became the studio's data center partner, this was followed in 2021 by becoming the studio's preferred workstation partner, ending the studio's association with the HP brand itself for 19 years.{{cite web|url=https://news.lenovo.com/pressroom/press-releases/preferred-workstation-innovation-partner-for-dreamworks-animation/|title=Lenovo Becomes the Preferred Workstation Innovation Partner for DreamWorks Animation|work=Lenovo|date=2021-11-10|access-date=2025-03-07}}

{{See also|DreamWorks Animation in amusement parks}}

{{Further|DreamWorks Experience}}

The DreamWorks Experience is a package of character interactions and experiences, including shows: Ice shows, Aqua shows, Sailaway parties, parades, wow moments, meet and greets, and character dining, featuring from the Shrek franchise: Shrek, Princess Fiona, Puss in Boots, and Kitty Softpaws, the Kung Fu Panda franchise: Po the Panda, Tigress the Tiger, the Madagascar franchise: Alex the Lion, Gloria the Hippo, King Julien the Ringtail Lemur, Mort the goodman Lemur, The Penguins: Skipper, Kowalski, Rico, Private, the How To Train Your Dragon franchise: Toothless, Meatlug, Stoick, Valka, Gobber, and other DreamWorks Animation characters.

The DreamWorks Experience was announced for Royal Caribbean cruise ships, including ships of the Freedom Class (Freedom and Liberty), Voyager Class (Voyager of the Seas), Oasis Class (Oasis, Allure, Harmony), and Quantum Class (Quantum, Anthem, Ovation) in June 2010.{{Cite press release | title = From the big screen to the high seas: Royal Caribbean and DreamWorks Animation unveil an unprecedented strategic alliance | website = royalcaribbeanpresscenter.com | publisher = Royal Caribbean International | date = June 4, 2010 | url = http://www.royalcaribbeanpresscenter.com/mmnr/317/FROM-THE-BIG-SCREEN-TO-THE-HIGH-SEAS-ROYAL-CARIBBEAN-AND-DREAMWORKS-ANIMATION-UNVEIL-AN-UNPRECEDENTED-STRATEGIC-ALLIANCE | access-date = October 30, 2010 | archive-date = July 15, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110715204938/http://www.royalcaribbeanpresscenter.com/mmnr/317/FROM-THE-BIG-SCREEN-TO-THE-HIGH-SEAS-ROYAL-CARIBBEAN-AND-DREAMWORKS-ANIMATION-UNVEIL-AN-UNPRECEDENTED-STRATEGIC-ALLIANCE | url-status = live }} On April 11, 2019, the DreamWorks program was removed from all ships due to DreamWorks and Royal Caribbean not renewing their contract.{{cite news |last1=Stieghorst |first1=Tom |title=Goodbye, Shrek: Royal Caribbean parts ways with DreamWorks: Travel Weekly |url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Royal-Caribbean-parts-ways-with-DreamWorks |access-date=April 20, 2019 |work=Travel Weekly |date=December 10, 2018 |language=en |archive-date=April 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420042417/https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Royal-Caribbean-parts-ways-with-DreamWorks |url-status=live }}

{{Further|DreamWorks Experience}}

In April 2011, the DreamWorks Experience was announced for resorts owned by Gaylord Entertainment in Nashville, Orlando, Dallas, and Washington, D.C. for a four-year contract ending January 1, 2015. After Gaylord was bought out by Marriott, Marriott owners did not renew the contract.{{cite news|last=De Lollis|first=Barbara|title=Gaylord Hotels, DreamWorks: 'We're competing with Disney'|url=http://travel.usatoday.com/hotels/post/2011/04/dreamworks-ceo-jeffrey-katzenberg-gaylord-hotels-/168093/1|access-date=March 16, 2013|newspaper=USA Today|date=April 29, 2011|archive-date=July 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709054550/http://travel.usatoday.com/hotels/post/2011/04/dreamworks-ceo-jeffrey-katzenberg-gaylord-hotels-/168093/1|url-status=live}}

{{Further|DreamWorks Experience}}

On November 10, 2011, the Australian theme park Dreamworld announced a three-stage plan to incorporate DreamWorks Animation films and characters into the park. The three phases were expected to cost $10 million to complete.{{cite news|last=Scott|first=Tessa|title=DreamWorks at Dreamworld|publisher=Nine Gold Coast News|date=10 November 2011}} On December 19, 2011, Dreamworld opened the DreamWorks Holiday Shrektacular Show which featured 8 DreamWorks Animation characters live on stage. This was the first of a three-phase plan to incorporate the characters into the theme park. The show concluded on January 27, 2012.{{cite web|title=Dreamworld's Holiday Shrektacular Show|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxUrd3q_zlQ|work=Video|via=YouTube|access-date=31 March 2012|author=Dreamworld|date=5 December 2011}} On February 1, 2012, following the peak season, Dreamworld closed most of the rides in Kid's World.{{cite web |title=Maintenance |url=http://www.dreamworld.com.au/Rides/Maintenance/ |publisher=Dreamworld |access-date=12 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229130755/http://www.dreamworld.com.au/Rides/Maintenance |archive-date=29 February 2012 |date=1 February 2012 |url-status=dead }} The {{Convert|8400|sqm|adj=on}} area was rethemed into the DreamWorks Experience precinct over a period of two months. This phase was officially opened to the public on March 31, 2012.{{cite web|title=Dreamworld Unveils Spectacular End of 2011: New World-Class Entertainment Alliance with DreamWorks Animation|url=http://about.dreamworld.com.au/Media-Centre/Press-Releases/Press-Release-Pages/DREAMWORLD-UNVEILS-SPECTACULAR-END-TO-2011.aspx|work=Press Release|publisher=Dreamworld|access-date=10 November 2011|date=10 November 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120522113806/http://about.dreamworld.com.au/Media-Centre/Press-Releases/Press-Release-Pages/DREAMWORLD-UNVEILS-SPECTACULAR-END-TO-2011.aspx|archive-date=22 May 2012}}

On July 15, 2012, Dreamworld closed the Avalanche in order for construction to continue on the final development phase of the DreamWorks Animation alliance, Kung Fu Panda: Land of Awesomeness.In-park signage The new area included a new set of bumper cars, Skadoosh, as well as Dreamworld's eighth thrill ride, Pandamonium, and the Kung Fu Academy.{{cite web |title=Dreamworld To Open New DreamWorks Animation Precinct |url=http://about.dreamworld.com.au/Media-Centre/Press-Releases/Press-Release-Pages/DREAMWORLD-TO-OPEN-NEW-DREAMWORKS-ANIMATION-PRECINCT.aspx |work=Press Release |publisher=Dreamworld |access-date=31 March 2012 |date=February 2012 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121115014028/http://about.dreamworld.com.au/Media-Centre/Press-Releases/Press-Release-Pages/DREAMWORLD-TO-OPEN-NEW-DREAMWORKS-ANIMATION-PRECINCT.aspx |archive-date=15 November 2012 }}

On November 24, 2022, Dreamworld announced a $55m investment to the park, which included Kenny and Belinda's Dreamland, a new themed area to replace the existing DreamWorks Experience area in 2023. Most of the rides remained in the new rethemed area, while the attractions based on Kung Fu Panda were moved to Ocean Parade.{{cite web |last1=Mitchell |first1=Bea |title=Australia's Dreamworld theme park to open new land and coaster |url=https://blooloop.com/theme-park/news/dreamworld-new-land-roller-coaster/ |publisher=blooloop |access-date=7 July 2023 |date=25 November 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Whitworth |first1=David |title=Dreamworld Invests a Total of a 50 Million A$ by 2024 |work=InterPark |url=https://interpark.co.uk/dreamworld-invests-a-total-of-a-50-million-a-by-2024/ |access-date=7 July 2023 |date=1 December 2022}}

The world's first indoor interactive play and creativity center theme park located within City of Dreams Manila opened on June 12, 2015.{{Cite news|url=https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/news/96265-dream-play-dreamworks-city-of-dreams-manila|title=DreamPlay, Dreamworks-themed activity center at City of Dreams Manila|date=June 13, 2015|work=Rappler|access-date=March 25, 2019|archive-date=March 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325015028/https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/news/96265-dream-play-dreamworks-city-of-dreams-manila|url-status=live}}

{{main|DreamWorks Water Park}}

On July 11, 2012, then CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg announced it would build the DreamWorks Water Park, an indoor water park at American Dream in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The park would have attractions from Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, How To Train Your Dragon and later Trolls franchises.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/dreamworks-shrek-theme-park-meadowlands-new-jersey-east-rutherford/1950207/|title="Shrek" Theme Park Planned at Stalled NJ Mall|website=NBC New York|date=July 11, 2012 |language=en|access-date=September 23, 2019|archive-date=June 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629185838/https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/dreamworks-shrek-theme-park-meadowlands-new-jersey-east-rutherford/1950207/|url-status=live}} Triple Five Group stated in June 2018 that the water park would open in the end of 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/bergen/2018/06/american_dream_how_did_a_swath_of_land_in_the_mead.html|title=American Dream: The 16-year (and counting) journey of a mega-mall that might actually open kind of soon|last=Pries|first=Allison|date=June 19, 2018|website=nj|language=en|access-date=November 23, 2019|archive-date=August 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190817023128/https://www.nj.com/bergen/2018/06/american_dream_how_did_a_swath_of_land_in_the_mead.html|url-status=live}} By November 2018, the mall's vice president of communications announced that the water park would open in September 2019.{{Cite news|url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/entertainment/2018/11/12/american-dreams-indoor-water-park-takes-shape-body-slide-now-visible-meadowlands-nj/1981791002/|title=See the progress on the American Dream water park, now taking shape|author=Katzban, Nicholas|date=November 12, 2018|access-date=March 9, 2019|publisher=NorthJersey.com|language=en|archive-date=April 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422140043/https://www.northjersey.com/story/entertainment/2018/11/12/american-dreams-indoor-water-park-takes-shape-body-slide-now-visible-meadowlands-nj/1981791002/|url-status=live}} By that date, the opening was delayed to November 27, 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/bergen/2019/09/american-dream-reveals-plans-theme-park-will-open-before-water-park-ski-slope.html|title=American Dream's theme park to open in October. For other attractions, you'll have to wait.|last=Pries|first=Allison|date=September 20, 2019|website=nj.com|language=en-US|access-date=September 23, 2019|archive-date=September 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923230908/https://www.nj.com/bergen/2019/09/american-dream-reveals-plans-theme-park-will-open-before-water-park-ski-slope.html|url-status=live}} On November 21, 2019, days before the planned opening, it was delayed to March 19, 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/bergen/2019/11/dreamworks-waterpark-at-american-dream-mall-delays-opening.html|title=DreamWorks Water Park at American Dream mall delays opening|last=Pries|first=Allison|date=November 21, 2019|website=nj|language=en|access-date=November 21, 2019|archive-date=November 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122155715/https://www.nj.com/bergen/2019/11/dreamworks-waterpark-at-american-dream-mall-delays-opening.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/2020/02/27/american-dream-nj-water-park-some-retail-stores-open/4897595002/|title=Opening date for American Dream water park and some retail stores announced|website=North Jersey|language=en|access-date=February 28, 2020|archive-date=February 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228165909/https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/2020/02/27/american-dream-nj-water-park-some-retail-stores-open/4897595002/|url-status=live}} However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the opening date was delayed indefinitely.{{Cite web|url=https://blooloop.com/news/american-dream-dreamworks-water-park-coronavirus/|title=American Dream postpones DreamWorks Water Park opening|website=Blooloop|date=March 16, 2020|access-date=April 6, 2020|archive-date=April 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406161838/https://blooloop.com/news/american-dream-dreamworks-water-park-coronavirus/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=New Jersey's American Dream Mall Will Reopen Oct. 1|url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/coronavirus/new-jerseys-american-dream-mall-will-reopen-oct-1/2600348/|access-date=September 8, 2020|website=NBC New York|date=September 3, 2020 |language=en-US|archive-date=September 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916065605/https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/coronavirus/new-jerseys-american-dream-mall-will-reopen-oct-1/2600348/|url-status=live}} The park eventually opened to the public on October 1, 2020.{{Cite web|author=Allison Pries|others=NJ Advance Media for NJ.com|date=September 30, 2020|title=American Dream mall reopens Thursday -- including 80+ stores. We got a look inside.|url=https://www.nj.com/news/2020/09/we-got-a-look-inside-the-american-dream-before-its-reopening-heres-what-you-can-expect.html|access-date=October 1, 2020|website=nj|language=en|archive-date=October 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001053227/https://www.nj.com/news/2020/09/we-got-a-look-inside-the-american-dream-before-its-reopening-heres-what-you-can-expect.html|url-status=live}}

On July 20, 2023, Universal Studios Florida announced that they will open a new themed area known as DreamWorks Land in 2024, replacing the former KidsZone space at Universal Orlando Resort. The area will include DreamWorks Animation franchises like Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, Trolls, and Gabby's Dollhouse.{{cite web |last1=Goldsmith |first1=Jill |title=Universal Studios Florida To Debut DreamWorks Land In 2024 |url=https://deadline.com/2023/07/dreamworks-land-coming-to-universal-studios-florida-orlando-1235443105/ |website=Deadline |access-date=21 July 2023 |date=20 July 2023}} The area opened on June 14, 2024.{{cite web |last1=Chen |first1=Eve |title=Universal Orlando's new DreamWorks Land |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/experience/theme-parks/2024/05/15/dreamworks-land-universal-orlando-details/73700811007/ |website=USA Today |access-date=15 May 2024 |date=15 May 2024}}

{{Infobox company

| name = DreamWorks Animation Home Entertainment

| logo = DreamWorks Animation Home Entertainment logo.svg

| logo_caption = Final logo, used from 2007 to 2018.

| type = Subsidiary

| industry = Home entertainment

| predecessor = DreamWorks Home Entertainment

| founded = {{Start date and age|2006|10|17}}

| defunct = {{End date and age|2018|6|5}}

| fate = Acquired by NBCUniversal in 2016 as part of merger and folded into Universal Pictures Home Entertainment in 2018.
Physical media operations transferred to Studio Distribution Services. Its labels remain in use on SDS-distributed releases.

| successor = Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (2018–2021)
Studio Distribution Services (2021–present)

| parent = DreamWorks Animation

| location = 1000 Flower Street

| location_city = Glendale, California 91201

| location_country = United States

| area_served = Worldwide

| products = Home video

| divisions =

}}

DreamWorks Animation Home Entertainment was a home video distribution label of the animation studio DreamWorks Animation and banner for other home media units.

DreamWorks Animation's home video products were originally distributed by DreamWorks Home Entertainment (which, in turn, were through Universal Pictures Home Entertainment) until 2006, when Paramount Pictures purchased DreamWorks SKG and signed a separate distribution deal with the animation studio. DreamWorks Animation Home Entertainment was subsequently formed as a sub-label of Paramount Home Entertainment starting with the release of Over the Hedge on October 17, 2006.

After DreamWorks Animation entered a five-year distribution deal with 20th Century Fox in 2012, the label was brought over to 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment but was no longer credited on-screen. Paramount retained the rights to DreamWorks' pre-2013 catalog until they were sold to Fox and reacquired by DreamWorks on July 1, 2014.{{Cite web |title=DWA-12.31.2014-10-K |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1297401/000129740115000004/dwa-12312014x10xk.htm |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=www.sec.gov}}

The Fox deal ended in 2017 after the release of Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie and NBCUniversal's purchase of DreamWorks Animation a year prior. Universal Pictures Home Entertainment distributed the DreamWorks back catalogue under their brand from 2018 to 2021, resulting in the shuttering of DreamWorks Animation Home Entertainment before the fold.

Their releases are currently distributed by Studio Distribution Services, a joint venture between Universal Pictures Home Entertainment and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.

{{Main|List of DreamWorks Animation productions}}

{{timeline of release years

|1998a=Antz

|1998b=The Prince of Egypt

|2000a=The Road to El Dorado

|2000b=Chicken Run

|2000c=Joseph: King of Dreams

|2001=Shrek

|2002=Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron

|2003=Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas

|2004a=Shrek 2

|2004b=Shark Tale

|2005a=Madagascar

|2005b=Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit

|2006a=Over the Hedge

|2006b=Flushed Away

|2007a=Shrek the Third

|2007b=Bee Movie

|2008a=Kung Fu Panda

|2008b=Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

|2009= Monsters vs. Aliens

|2010a=How to Train Your Dragon

|2010b=Shrek Forever After

|2010c=Megamind

|2011a=Kung Fu Panda 2

|2011b=Puss in Boots

|2012a=Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted

|2012b=Rise of the Guardians

|2013a=The Croods

|2013b=Turbo

|2014a=Mr. Peabody & Sherman

|2014b=How to Train Your Dragon 2

|2014c=Penguins of Madagascar

|2015=Home

|2016a=Kung Fu Panda 3

|2016b=Trolls

|2017a=The Boss Baby

|2017b=Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie

|2019a=How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World

|2019b=Abominable

|2020a=Trolls World Tour

|2020b=The Croods: A New Age

|2021a=Spirit Untamed

|2021b=The Boss Baby: Family Business

|2022a=The Bad Guys

|2022b=Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

|2023a=Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken

|2023b=Trolls Band Together

|2024a=Orion and the Dark

|2024b=Kung Fu Panda 4

|2024c=The Wild Robot

|2025a=Dog Man

|2025b=How to Train Your Dragon

|2025c=The Bad Guys 2

|2025d=Gabby's Dollhouse: The Movie

|2026a=Forgotten Island

|2026b=Shrek 5

|2027=How to Train Your Dragon 2

}}

• Chris Meledandri, Senior Advisor
• Alessandro Pepe, FX Animator
• Nafees Bin Zafar, Principal Engineer

• DreamWorks Pictures
• Illumination
• Universal Animation Studios
• Amblimation
• Pacific Data Images
• Pearl Studio
• List of animation studios owned by Comcast NBCUniversal

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