Rise of the Guardians

Jack Frost emerges from a frozen pond with amnesia and finds himself invisible to the mortal realm. Though he knows the Man in the Moon played a part in his transformation, the moon does not provide any answers as to why he has been turned into Jack Frost. Three centuries later, in 2012, Jack Frost remains invisible to the human race, as no one believes in him, unlike many other characters from tales. The Man in the Moon alerts Nicholas St. North to the return of Pitch Black, who threatens to plague children with nightmares. North rallies his fellow Guardians, E. Aster Bunnymund, Sanderson Mansnoozie, and Toothiana, and they discover that Jack has been chosen to join their ranks. Transported to the North Pole, Jack learns from North that every Guardian has a "center", something they foster in children. Jack knows nothing of his center and resists the call to become a Guardian.

Meanwhile, North gets a message from Toothiana that her palace is under attack. The Guardians and Jack Frost manage to chase away Pitch, but not before Pitch kidnaps Tooth's subordinate fairies and steals all of the teeth, weakening children's belief in Tooth. Jack learns that every baby tooth holds the childhood memories of its owner, and may help him find out more about his past, motivating him to help Toothiana. To counter Pitch's plan, the other Guardians and Jack embark on a mission to collect teeth from children themselves. In their quest, they visit Jamie Bennett, a young boy who, still clinging to his belief, sees all of them except for Jack. On their way back to the North Pole, Pitch's Nightmares attack the Guardians and Pitch kills Sandy.

With Easter approaching, the Guardians travel to Bunny's Warren and assist in the egg-coloring preparations. Jack is lured by a familiar voice from his past to Pitch's lair, where he finds his teeth. Pitch distracts Jack long enough for the Nightmares to destroy all the eggs, causing children to stop believing in Bunny. Ashamed, Jack flees to Antarctica, where Pitch, after attempting to persuade Jack to join him, breaks his magic staff and throws him into a chasm. Unlocking the memories within his teeth, Jack learns that he was once a human who sacrificed himself to save his younger sister. Inspired, he repairs his staff and rescues the kidnapped fairies.

Due to Pitch, every child in the world has stopped believing except Jamie, drastically weakening the Guardians. Finding Jamie's belief wavering, Jack makes it snow in his bedroom, restoring his faith in the Easter Bunny and making Jamie the first person to believe in him. Jack realizes that his center is fun and uses it to gather Jamie's friends, play, and diminish their fear, which bolsters the Guardians and resurrects Sandy. The children's dreams prove stronger than the Nightmares, who turn on Pitch and drag him to the underworld. Jack finally accepts his place as the Guardian of Fun.

• Chris Pine as Jack Frost, the Spirit of Winter. Jack is a teenage hellion who enjoys creating mischief and has no interest in being bound by rules or obligations; he just wants to use his staff to spread his winter magic for the sake of fun, but also wants to be believed in. Via his staff, he possesses potent cryokinesis. At the end of the film, Jack became the Guardian of Fun.
• Alec Baldwin as Nicholas St. North / Santa Claus, the leader of the Guardians, and the Guardian of Wonder. He lives at the North Pole in the Ice Castle and is served by loyal North Pole natives, the Yetis (who built the castle and workshop) and the Christmas Elves. He has a Russian accent/culture persona, resembling Ded Moroz.{{cite news | title=Rise of the Guardians – Yetis | quote=Natives of the North Pole, Yetis are the blue-collar workers in North's toy factory. Not only did they build the Ice Castle and workshop for North, the Yetis would also do anything for him and serve him loyally. | url=http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=418207508233801&set=a.150069698380918.40059.150067278381160&type=1&relevant_count=1 | access-date=October 18, 2012 | publisher=DreamWorks Animation Rise of the Guardians official Facebook page | date=October 17, 2012 | archive-date=February 21, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221160400/https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=418207508233801&set=a.150069698380918.40059.150067278381160&type=1&relevant_count=1 | url-status=live }}
• Jude Law as Pitch Black / Boogeyman, the Nightmare King. He has dark hair and wears a black cloak. Despite being the literal embodiment of terror, ironically, at the resolution, he is scared of his own nightmares after being forgotten.
• Isla Fisher as Toothiana / Tooth Fairy, called Tooth for short, the Guardian of Memories. Tooth is part human and part hummingbird, loosely resembling a Kinnari. Assisted by mice and mini fairies that are split-off extensions of herself, she collects the children's teeth, which hold their most precious memories. Tooth stores them in her palace and returns memories when they are needed the most.{{cite news|title=You remembered to floss, right?|url=http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=251565704943925&set=a.251530674947428.40868.212052442228585&type=1|access-date=October 29, 2012|publisher=DreamWorks Animation Rise of the Guardians official Facebook page|date=June 13, 2012|author=Tooth|archive-date=February 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221160404/https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=251565704943925&set=a.251530674947428.40868.212052442228585&type=1|url-status=live}}
• Hugh Jackman as E. Aster Bunnymund / Easter Bunny, called Bunny for short, the keeper and bringer of Easter eggs and Guardian of Hope. He shares Jackman's Australian accent.
• Sandman as Sandy Dreams and the oldest of the Guardians,{{cite news |title=Did you know Sandman is the oldest of the Guardians? |url=http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=482327915133186&set=a.432276643471647.104640.377150242317621&type=1 |access-date=October 18, 2012 |publisher=DreamWorks Animation Rise of the Guardians official Facebook page | date=October 11, 2012}} being the first Guardian chosen by the Man in the Moon.{{cite news |title=Sandman by the Man in the Moon. |url=http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=468072463225398&set=a.432276643471647.104640.377150242317621&type=1 |access-date=October 18, 2012 | publisher=DreamWorks Animation Rise of the Guardians official Facebook page |date=September 6, 2012 |author=Sandman}} images that he conjures above his head.{{cite news |title=Although |url=http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=432327370133241&set=a.432276643471647.104640.377150242317621&type=1 |access-date=October 18, 2012 | publisher=DreamWorks Animation Rise of the Guardians official Facebook page |date=June 13, 2012}}
• Dakota Goyo as Jamie Bennett, a child who has not given up on believing in the Guardians.{{cite web | url = https://twitter.com/#!/DWAnimation/status/38323053754585088 | title = Up-and-coming child actor Dakota Goyo will voice a character in DWAnimation's RiseOfTheGuardians! | publisher = DreamWorks Animation verified Twitter page | date = February 17, 2011 | access-date = February 25, 2011 | archive-date = July 24, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180724111122/https://twitter.com/#!/DWAnimation/status/38323053754585088 | url-status = live }}
• Georgie Grieve as Sophie Bennett, Jamie's little sister
• Jacob Bertrand as Monty
• Dominique Grund as Cupcake
• Olivia Mattingly as Mary, Jack's sister

In 2005, William Joyce and Reel FX launched a joint venture, Aimesworth Amusements,{{cite web |title=AIMESWORTH AMUSEMENTS, LTD. |url=http://businessprofiles.com/details/aimesworth-amusements-ltd/TX-0800481254 |publisher=Business Profiles |access-date=October 12, 2012 |archive-date=January 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116123028/http://businessprofiles.com/details/aimesworth-amusements-ltd/TX-0800481254 |url-status=live }} to produce CG-animated feature films,{{cite news |last=Daly |first=Helen |title=Hot House: Reel FX Creative Studios Ramps Up for Animated Fare |url=http://www.studiodaily.com/2005/06/hot-house-reel-fx-creative-studios-ramps-up-for-animated-fare |access-date=October 12, 2012 |newspaper=Studio Daily |date=June 1, 2005 |archive-date=September 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922000742/http://www.studiodaily.com/2005/06/hot-house-reel-fx-creative-studios-ramps-up-for-animated-fare/ |url-status=live }} one of which was set to be The Guardians of Childhood, based on Joyce's idea.{{cite news |last=Connelly |first=Brendon |title=Dreamworks Teaming Up With William Joyce For The Guardians of Childhood |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/dreamworks-teaming-up-with-william-joyce-for-the-guardians-of-childhood |access-date=October 12, 2012 |publisher=/Film |date=April 23, 2009 |archive-date=October 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005011405/http://www.slashfilm.com/dreamworks-teaming-up-with-william-joyce-for-the-guardians-of-childhood/ |url-status=live }} The film was not realized, but they did create a short animated film, The Man in the Moon, directed by Joyce, which introduced the Guardians idea, and served as an inspiration for the film.{{cite news |last=McCarthy |first=Todd |title=Rise of the Guardians: Film Review |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/rise-guardians-film-review-378281 |access-date=October 12, 2012 |newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter |date=October 11, 2012 |archive-date=October 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014002918/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/rise-guardians-film-review-378281 |url-status=live }}

Early in 2008, Joyce sold the film rights to DreamWorks Animation,{{cite news |last=Jardine |first=William |title=Interview: William Joyce, Moonbot Studios Co-Founder and Co-Director of Morris Lessmore |url=http://www.a113animation.com/2012/07/interview-william-joyce-moonbot-studios.html |access-date=July 30, 2012 |publisher=A113 Animation |date=July 29, 2012 |quote=I was [co-director] ... and then there was a tragic thing, my daughter became ill in post-production, and we lost her, so I had to bow out of directing at that point. |archive-date=August 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120805051911/http://www.a113animation.com/2012/07/interview-william-joyce-moonbot-studios.html |url-status=live }} after the studio assured him it would respect his vision for the characters and that he would be involved with the creative process.{{cite news |last=Feinberg |first=Scott |title='Rise of the Guardians' Unveiled, Rises to Top Tier of Animated Contenders (Analysis) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/rise-guardians-animated-oscar-contenders-379165 |access-date=October 17, 2012 |newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter |date=October 15, 2012 |archive-date=October 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018010703/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/rise-guardians-animated-oscar-contenders-379165 |url-status=live }} In November 2009, it was revealed that DreamWorks had hired Peter Ramsey to make his feature debut as director of what was then titled The Guardians, and playwright David Lindsay-Abaire to write the script, Lindsay-Abaire previously co-wrote the screenplay for Robots, which Joyce previously produced.{{cite news |last=Fleming |first=Michael |title=DreamWorks sets scribe for 'Guardians' |url=https://variety.com/2009/film/markets-festivals/dreamworks-sets-scribe-for-guardians-1118010765/ |access-date=September 1, 2011 |newspaper=Variety |date=November 2, 2009 |archive-date=February 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130216125841/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118010765/ |url-status=live }} The next month, Leonardo DiCaprio was announced to make his animated feature film debut as the lead character of the film—tentatively titled The Guardians—Jack Frost.{{Cite web |last=Weintraub |first=Steve |date=December 3, 2009 |title=Leonardo Dicaprio to Make Animated Feature Debut in DreamWorks The Guardians |url=https://collider.com/leonardo-dicaprio-to-make-animated-feature-debut-in-dreamworks-the-guardians/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200105091721/https://collider.com/leonardo-dicaprio-to-make-animated-feature-debut-in-dreamworks-the-guardians/ |archive-date=January 5, 2020 |access-date=November 1, 2023 |website=Collider}} DiCaprio would later leave the project for undisclosed reasons.{{cite web | url=https://variety.com/2011/digital/news/dreamworks-animation-draws-up-talent-1118030975/ | title=DreamWorks Animation draws up talent | date=January 27, 2011 }} Joyce acted as a co-director for the first few years, but left this position after the death of his daughter Mary Katherine, who died from complications relating to her brain cancer positive diagnosis in May 2010. Joyce continued to work on the film only as an executive producer, while Ramsey took the helm solo as a full-time director, making him the first African American to direct a big-budget CG animated film as well as making it one of the first DreamWorks films to have only one director instead of two and not have a co-director.{{cite news | last = Tulich | first = Katherine | title = 'Rise of the Guardians' director a self-taught success | url = http://articles.glendalenewspress.com/2012-07-21/entertainment/tn-gnp-0722-dreamworks_1_dreamworks-animation-glendale-campus-movies | access-date = September 18, 2012 | newspaper = Glendale News-Press | location = Glendale, California | date = July 21, 2012 | archive-date = December 9, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121209213300/http://articles.glendalenewspress.com/2012-07-21/entertainment/tn-gnp-0722-dreamworks_1_dreamworks-animation-glendale-campus-movies | url-status = dead }} As with some previous DreamWorks films, Guillermo del Toro came on board to join Joyce as an executive producer. Present almost from the beginning,{{cite news |last=Weintraub |first=Steve |title=Guillermo del Toro Talks 'Rise of the Guardians' and 'Pinocchio'; Hopes to Begin Voice Recording in Jan 2013 and Ron Perlman Will Play Stromboli |url=https://collider.com/guillermo-del-toro-pinocchio-rise-of-the-guardians-interview/186319 |access-date=October 17, 2012 |publisher=Collider.com |date=August 3, 2012 |archive-date=October 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026003651/http://collider.com/guillermo-del-toro-pinocchio-rise-of-the-guardians-interview/186319/ |url-status=dead }} he was able to help shape the story, character design, theme and structure of the film.{{cite news |title=Guillermo del Toro on his experience as executive producer of Rise of the Guardians |url=http://dreamworksanimation.tumblr.com/post/32885108014/guillermo-del-toro-on-his-experience-as-executive |access-date=October 17, 2012 |publisher=In The Works (DreamWorks Animation official blog) |date=October 10, 2012 |archive-date=December 27, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141227195346/http://dreamworksanimation.tumblr.com/post/32885108014/guillermo-del-toro-on-his-experience-as-executive |url-status=live }} He said he was proud that the filmmakers were making parts of the film "dark and moody and poetic," and expressed hope this might "set a different tone for family movies, for entertainment movies." The final title, Rise of the Guardians was announced in early 2011, along with the first cast.{{cite press release |title=DreamWorks Animation Names All-Star Cast Featuring Chris Pine, Alec Baldwin, Hugh Jackman, Cara, Harvey, Isla Fisher and Jude Law for Rise of the Guardians on November 21, 2012 |work=DreamWorksAnimation.com |date=January 27, 2011 |url=http://ir.dreamworksanimation.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=545929 |access-date=January 28, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20130114100934/http%3A//ir.dreamworksanimation.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID%3D545929 |archive-date=January 14, 2013 }}{{cite web | url=https://variety.com/2011/digital/news/dreamworks-animation-draws-up-talent-1118030975/ | title=DreamWorks Animation draws up talent | date=January 27, 2011 }}

Roger Deakins, the cinematographer who had already worked on the previous DreamWorks' film, How to Train Your Dragon, advised on the lighting to achieve its real look. He selected photographic references for color keys, and during the production gave notes on contrast, saturation, depth of field and light intensity.{{cite news|last=Weintraub|first=Steve|title=Director Peter Ramsey Talks RISE OF THE GUARDIANS, Roger Deakins, HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2, Working with David Fincher on FIGHT CLUB, and More|url=https://collider.com/peter-ramsey-rise-of-the-guardians-how-train-your-dragon-2/212668/|access-date=November 22, 2012|newspaper=Collider.com|date=November 20, 2012|archive-date=November 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127223840/http://collider.com/peter-ramsey-rise-of-the-guardians-how-train-your-dragon-2/212668/|url-status=dead}} The film contains a lot of special effects, particularly the volumetric particles for depicting Sandman and Pitch.{{cite news|last=Orden|first=Erica|title=DreamWorks Releases Software Used in 'Guardians'|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323622904578129551861947218|access-date=November 22, 2012|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=November 20, 2012|archive-date=June 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150611033608/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323622904578129551861947218|url-status=live}} For this, DreamWorks Animation developed OpenVDB, a more efficient tool and format for manipulating and storing volume data, like smoke and other amorphous materials. OpenVDB had been already used on Puss in Boots and Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted, and was released in August 2012 for free as an open-source project with a hope to become an industry standard.{{cite news|title=DreamWorks Animation Releases Proprietary Volumetric Format OpenVDB to Open Source Community|url=http://ir.dreamworksanimation.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=698100|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130121175930/http://ir.dreamworksanimation.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=698100|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 21, 2013|access-date=November 22, 2012|newspaper=DreamWorks Animation|date=August 3, 2012}}

Although the film is based on Joyce's book series, it contains differences from the books. The book series, begun in 2011, explains the origins of the characters, while the film takes place about 300 years after the books, and shows how the characters function in present time. Joyce explained, "Because I don't want people to read the book and then go see the movie and go, 'Oh, I like the book better,' and I also didn't want them to know what happens in the movie. And I also knew that during the progress of film production, a lot of things can change. So I wanted to have a sort of distance, so we were able to invoke the books and use them to help us figure out the world of the movie, but I didn't want them to be openly competitive to each other." The idea for the Guardians came from Joyce's daughter, who asked him "if he thought Santa Claus had ever met the Easter Bunny." The film includes a dedication to her, as well a song, "Still Dream," sung over the end credits.{{cite news|last=Hammond|first=Pete|title=AFI Fest: 'Rise Of The Guardians' Tries To Stake Its Claim In Oscar Race And At Holiday Box Office|url=https://deadline.com/2012/11/afi-fest-rise-of-the-guardians-oscar-boxoffice-366236/|access-date=November 6, 2012|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=November 5, 2012|archive-date=November 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108034511/http://www.deadline.com/2012/11/afi-fest-rise-of-the-guardians-oscar-boxoffice/|url-status=live}}

Originally, the film was set to be released on November 2, 2012, but DreamWorks Animation pushed the film to November 21, 2012, to avoid competition with Pixar's upcoming film Monsters University, which in turn had been pushed to November 2, 2012, to avoid competition with The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2.{{cite web |last=Subers |first=Ray |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2877 |title=Disney Shifts 'Monsters Inc. 2,' Drops Two Others | website=Box Office Mojo | date=August 4, 2010 |access-date=December 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006195001/http://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2877|archive-date=October 6, 2013|url-status=live}} Monsters University was then pushed to June 21, 2013, with Disney's Wreck-It Ralph taking its place.{{cite news |url=https://www.deadline.com/2011/04/disney-changes-dates-for-reboot-ralph-monsters-university |title=Disney Changes Dates For 'Monsters University', 'Reboot Ralph' |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=April 4, 2011 |access-date=July 10, 2011 |archive-date=June 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605082319/http://www.deadline.com/2011/04/disney-changes-dates-for-reboot-ralph-monsters-university/ |url-status=dead }}

{{Main|Rise of the Guardians (soundtrack){{!}}Rise of the Guardians (soundtrack)}}

French composer Alexandre Desplat composed the original music for the film, which was released on November 13, 2012, by Varèse Sarabande. The score was recorded in London at Abbey Road Studios and Air Studios, and performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, with a choral contribution by London Voices. David Lindsay-Abaire wrote the lyrics for the end-credit song, "Still Dream", which was performed by soprano Renée Fleming.{{cite press release |title=Famed Soprano Renee Fleming Performs Original Single "Still Dream" With Music By Alexandre Desplat and Lyrics By David Lindsay-Abaire for DreamWorks Animation's 'Rise of the Guardians' |url=http://ir.dreamworksanimation.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=713418 |access-date=October 17, 2012 |publisher=DreamWorks Animation |date=October 15, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130122025356/http://ir.dreamworksanimation.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=713418 |archive-date=January 22, 2013 }} Stravinsky's "Firebird Suite" can also be heard during the scene where North first appears. This film marks the first time that a DreamWorks Animation film has not been composed or have any involvement from Hans Zimmer or a member of his Remote Control Productions family of composers (mainly John Powell, Henry Jackman, Lorne Balfe, Harry Gregson-Williams or his brother Rupert Gregson-Williams).

File:Rise of the Guardians, The Mill Valley Film Festival premiere.jpg: Christina Steinberg, producer; Peter Ramsey, director; Jeffrey Katzenberg, DreamWorks Animation's CEO; Nancy Bernstein, producer; Bill Damaschke, DreamWorks Animation's Chief Creative Officer]]

Rise of the Guardians had its premiere on October 10, 2012, at The Mill Valley Film Festival in Mill Valley, California,{{cite news|last=Grady|first=Pam|title=Mill Valley Film Fest: stars, new powers|url=http://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/Mill-Valley-Film-Fest-stars-new-powers-3881344.php|access-date=October 2, 2012|newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle|date=September 23, 2012|archive-date=September 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927222245/http://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/Mill-Valley-Film-Fest-stars-new-powers-3881344.php|url-status=live}} followed by the international premiere at The International Rome Film Festival on November 13, 2012.{{cite news|last=Lyman|first=Eric J.|title='Rise of the Guardians' to Receive New 'Vanity Fair' Honor at Upcoming Rome Fest|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/rise-guardians-receive-new-vanity-375718|access-date=October 2, 2012|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 2, 2012|archive-date=October 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008023212/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/rise-guardians-receive-new-vanity-375718|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=7 Festival Internazionale del Film di Roma - Guide e Programma|url=http://www.romacinemafest.it/tower-file-storage/cinema/10299/attachment/guida-e-programma-vii-festival-internazionale-del-film-di-roma.pdf|publisher=Roma Cinema Fest|access-date=November 6, 2012|page=5|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303230353/http://www.romacinemafest.it/tower-file-storage/cinema/10299/attachment/guida-e-programma-vii-festival-internazionale-del-film-di-roma.pdf|url-status=dead}} Under distribution by Paramount Pictures, the film was released on November 21, 2012, in American theaters. Digitally re-mastered into IMAX 3D, it was shown in limited international and domestic IMAX theaters.{{cite magazine|last=Finke|first=Nikki|title='Rise Of The Guardians' To Play IMAX Nov. 21|url=https://deadline.com/2012/11/rise-of-the-guardians-to-play-imax-nov-21-363751/|access-date=November 1, 2012|magazine=Deadline Hollywood|date=November 1, 2012|archive-date=November 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103093237/http://www.deadline.com/2012/11/rise-of-the-guardians-to-play-imax-nov-21/|url-status=live}} It was the second film released in the firm Barco's Auro 11.1 3D audio format, after Red Tails.{{cite press release | title = Barco Auro 11.1 3D sound technology will be featured in global release of DreamWorks Animation's 'Rise of the Guardians' | url = http://www.barco.com/en/News/Press-releases/barco-auro-111-3d-sound-technology-will-be-featured-in-global-release-of-dreamworks-animations-rise-.aspx | access-date = October 10, 2012 | publisher = Barco | date = October 5, 2012 | archive-date = November 13, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121113190448/http://barco.com/en/News/Press-releases/barco-auro-111-3d-sound-technology-will-be-featured-in-global-release-of-dreamworks-animations-rise-.aspx | url-status = live }} The film was also shown in Dolby Atmos, a surround sound technology introduced in 2012.{{cite news|last=Giardina|first=Carolyn|title='Rise of the Guardians,' 'Gravity,' 'Pacific Rim' Will Be Mixed in Dolby Atmos|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/rise-guardians-gravity-pacific-rim-384661|access-date=October 31, 2012|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 31, 2012}}

Rise of the Guardians was the last DreamWorks Animation film to be distributed by Paramount Pictures. Starting with The Croods in 2013, 20th Century Fox would distribute DreamWorks' films until Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie in 2017.{{cite magazine |last=Finke |first=Nikki |title=DreamWorks Animation To Fox For New 5-Year Distribution Deal; UPDATE: Paying Fees Of 8% Theatrical And 6% Digital |url=https://deadline.com/2012/08/exclusive-dreamworks-animation-to-fox-321701/ |access-date=August 21, 2012 |magazine=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 }}

Rise of the Guardians was released on Blu-ray Disc (2D and 3D) and DVD on March 12, 2013.{{cite web | url = http://www.thehdroom.com/news/Rise-of-the-Guardians-Blu-ray-3D-Release-Date-Details-and-Pre-Order/11933 | title = Rise of the Guardians Blu-ray 3D Release Date, Details and Pre-Order | date = January 19, 2013 | publisher = The HD Room | access-date = January 21, 2013 | archive-date = January 21, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130121163832/http://www.thehdroom.com/news/Rise-of-the-Guardians-Blu-ray-3D-Release-Date-Details-and-Pre-Order/11933 | url-status = live }}

That was the last DreamWorks Animation home media release to be distributed by Paramount Home Entertainment, since 20th Century Fox announced its distribution agreement with DreamWorks Animation a few months before the theatrical release. The film was more successful at home media sales than at the box office, having at the end of the second quarter of 2013 "the highest box office to DVD conversion ratio among major releases."{{cite news|title=DreamWorks Animation SKG Management Discusses Q2 2013 Results - Earnings Call Transcript|url=http://seekingalpha.com/article/1591842-dreamworks-animation-skg-management-discusses-q2-2013-results-earnings-call-transcript|access-date=August 3, 2013|newspaper=Seeking Alpha|date=July 31, 2013|archive-date=August 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130804114959/http://seekingalpha.com/article/1591842-dreamworks-animation-skg-management-discusses-q2-2013-results-earnings-call-transcript|url-status=live}} In the first quarter of 2013, it sold 3.2 million home entertainment units worldwide,{{cite news|title=DreamWorks Animation Reports First Quarter 2013 Financial Results|url=http://ir.dreamworksanimation.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=760612|access-date=August 3, 2013|newspaper=DreamWorks Animation|date=April 30, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130803122435/http://ir.dreamworksanimation.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=760612|archive-date=August 3, 2013}} and in the second quarter 0.9 million units, for a total of 4.1 million units.{{cite news|title=DreamWorks Animation Reports Second Quarter 2013 Financial Results|url=http://ir.dreamworksanimation.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=781777|access-date=August 3, 2013|newspaper=DreamWorks Animation|date=July 31, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130803122514/http://ir.dreamworksanimation.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=781777|archive-date=August 3, 2013}}

It was re-released on DVD on November 5, 2013, and comes with a wind-up marching elf toy.{{cite video|url=https://www.amazon.com/Rise-Of-The-Guardians-Marching/dp/B00EDDUKGY/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1383683671&sr=8-7&keywords=rise+of+the+guardians|title=Rise of the Guardians|website=Amazon.com|access-date=15 November 2021}} As of October 2014, 5.8 million home entertainment units were sold worldwide.{{Cite press release|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dreamworks-animation-reports-third-quarter-2014-financial-results-280827452.html|title=DreamWorks Animation Reports Third Quarter 2014 Financial Results|website=Prnewswire.com|access-date=15 November 2021|archive-date=October 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031172126/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dreamworks-animation-reports-third-quarter-2014-financial-results-280827452.html|url-status=live}} In July 2014, the film's distribution rights were purchased by DreamWorks Animation from Paramount Pictures and transferred to 20th Century Fox.{{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|website=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}} The rights were moved to Universal Pictures in 2018 after the buyout of DreamWorks Animation by Comcast/NBCUniversal. It was re-released on DVD and Blu-ray on June 5, 2018, by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.

Rise of the Guardians received mixed reviews upon release.{{Cite news |last=Hyman |first=Nick |date=July 25, 2024 |title=The 15 Best Hugh Jackman Movies |url=https://www.metacritic.com/pictures/best-hugh-jackman-movies-ranked/2/ |access-date=February 12, 2025 |work=Metacritic |quote=Guardians received mixed reviews}} On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 75% based on 160 reviews, with an average rating of 6.6/10. The website's critical consensus reads: "A sort of Avengers for the elementary school set, Rise of the Guardians is wonderfully animated and briskly paced, but it's only so-so in the storytelling department."{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/rise_of_the_guardians|title=Rise of the Guardians|website=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Fandango|access-date={{RT data|access date}}|archive-date=December 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191202050157/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/rise_of_the_guardians_2012/|url-status=live}}{{RT data|edit}} Metacritic, which assigns a rating out of 100 top reviews from mainstream critics, calculated a score of 58 based on 37 reviews, which indicates "mixed or average reviews".{{cite web|title=Rise of the Guardians Reviews|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/rise-of-the-guardians|publisher=CBS Interactive|work=Metacritic|access-date=March 5, 2018|archive-date=February 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214025641/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/rise-of-the-guardians|url-status=live}} Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an excellent grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale.

Carrie Rickey of The Philadelphia Inquirer gave the film three and a half stars out of four and found that the film's characters have "a primal familiarity, as though they were developed by a tag team of Maurice Sendak and Walt Disney."[http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/movies/reviews/20121121__Rise_of_the_Guardians___protecting_truth__justice_and_the_childhood_way.html 'Rise of the Guardians,' protecting truth, justice and the childhood way 'Rise of the Guardians,' protecting truth, justice and the childhood way] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116191419/http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/movies/reviews/20121121__Rise_of_the_Guardians___protecting_truth__justice_and_the_childhood_way.html |date=January 16, 2013 }} Retrieved February 17, 2013 Olly Richards of Empire wrote, "It's gorgeously designed, deftly written and frequently laugh-out-loud funny. For child or adult, this is a fantasy to get lost in."{{Cite web |url=https://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?FID=137457 |title=Empire's Rise of the Guardians Movie Review |access-date=2020-02-19 |archive-date=2015-09-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924135024/http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?FID=137457 |url-status=dead }} The Washington Post{{'}}s Michael O'Sullivan also gave the film a positive review and said, "Thoughts become things. That's the message of Rise of the Guardians, a charming if slightly dark and cobwebbed animated feature about how believing in something makes it real, or real enough."{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/movies/rise-of-the-guardians,1179348/critic-review.html#reviewNum1|title=Rise of the Guardians Scaring up Magic from Childhood|newspaper=The Washington Post|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121121195619/http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/movies/rise-of-the-guardians,1179348/critic-review.html#reviewNum1|access-date=February 17, 2013|archive-date=2012-11-21}} Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film three stars out of four and wrote in his review, "There's an audience for this film. It's not me. I gather younger children will like the breakneck action, the magical ability to fly and the young hero who has tired of only being a name." Though he did say, "Their parents and older siblings may find the 89-minute running time quite long enough."{{cite web|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/rise-of-the-guardians-2012|title=Jack Frost: Visible at last|website=Rogerebert.com|access-date=November 14, 2021|archive-date=November 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211114140958/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/rise-of-the-guardians-2012|url-status=live}}

Todd McCarthy of The Hollywood Reporter called the film "a lively but derivative 3D storybook spree for some unlikely action heroes." Conversely, Justin Chang in Variety said, "Even tots may emerge feeling slightly browbeaten by this colorful, strenuous and hyperactive fantasy, which has moments of charm and beauty but often resembles an exploding toy factory rather than a work of honest enchantment."{{cite news |last=Chang |first=Justin |title=Rise of the Guardians |url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117948527 |access-date=October 18, 2012 |newspaper=Variety |date=October 11, 2012 |archive-date=October 27, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121027225846/http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117948527/ |url-status=live }} Joe Morgenstern of The Wall Street Journal found that the film "lacks a resonant center," and that the script, "seems to have been written by committee, with members lobbying for each major character, and the action, set in vast environments all over the map, spreads itself so thin that a surfeit of motion vitiates emotion."[https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323713104578132912697702772 A Visionary Director's Sumptuous 'Pi'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816065811/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323713104578132912697702772 |date=August 16, 2017 }} Retrieved February 17, 2013

Rise of the Guardians grossed $103.4 million in the United States and Canada, and $203.5 million in other countries, for a worldwide total of $306.9 million.

In North America, the film opened to $32.3 million over its extended five-day weekend, and with $23.8 million over the three-day weekend, it reached fourth place behind The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2, Skyfall, and Lincoln. The film's opening was the lowest debut for a DreamWorks Animation film since Flushed Away.{{cite news|last=Subers|first=Ray|title=Weekend Report: 'Twilight,' Bond Dominate Fruitful Thanksgiving|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3574&p=.htm|access-date=November 26, 2012|newspaper=Box Office Mojo|date=November 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007004540/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3574&p=.htm|archive-date=October 7, 2014|url-status=live}} While the film did gross more than double of its $145 million budget, it still did not turn a profit for DreamWorks Animation due to its high distribution and marketing costs, forcing the studio to take an $87 million write-down. This marked the first time that the studio had lost money on an animated film since Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas.{{cite news|last=Child|first=Ben|title=DreamWorks Animation facing jobs cuts after Rise of the Guardians tanks|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/feb/27/dreamworks-animation-job-cuts-guardians|access-date=February 27, 2013|newspaper=The Guardian|date=February 27, 2013|archive-date=September 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921084616/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/feb/27/dreamworks-animation-job-cuts-guardians|url-status=live}} As a result of this combined with other factors, in February 2013, the studio announced it was laying off 350 employees as part of a company-wide restructuring.{{cite news|last=Shaw|first=Lucas|title=DreamWorks Animation to Lay Off 350 Employees|url=https://www.thewrap.com/movies/article/dreamworks-animation-lay-350-employees-79381|access-date=February 26, 2013|newspaper=The Wrap|date=February 27, 2013|quote=The Glendale, Calif.-based company posted a loss of $83 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012 due to development costs and the poor performance of its latest film, Rise of the Guardians.|archive-date=February 28, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130228230845/http://www.thewrap.com/movies/article/dreamworks-animation-lay-350-employees-79381|url-status=live}}

Additionally, the studio was heavily dependent on the success of Rise of the Guardians to fund other studio projects, most notably, the ill-fated Me and My Shadow project (based on the 1927 song of the same name). But due to the failure to gain a stable box office response, it heavily affected the studio's ability to release original movies.{{citation needed|date=June 2022}}

{{Main|Rise of the Guardians: The Video Game{{!}}Rise of the Guardians: The Video Game}}

A video game based on the film was released by D3 Publisher on November 20, 2012, in North America,{{cite news|last=Marchiafava|first=Jeff|title=Rise of the Guardians|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/rise_of_the_guardians/b/xbox360/archive/2012/06/07/childhood-legends-team-up-for-fun-rpg-action.aspx|access-date=November 8, 2012|newspaper=Game Informer|date=June 7, 2012|archive-date=September 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120917195748/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/rise_of_the_guardians/b/xbox360/archive/2012/06/07/childhood-legends-team-up-for-fun-rpg-action.aspx|url-status=live}} and released on November 23, 2012, in Europe.{{cite news |title=D3Publisher reveals product details for 'Rise of the Guardians: The Video Game' |url=http://www.uk.namcobandaigames.eu/news/2012/07/16/d3publisher-reveals-product-details-for-rise-of-the-guardians-the-video-game/3000 |access-date=July 16, 2012 |newspaper=Bandai Namco |date=July 16, 2012 |archive-date=May 31, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130531225031/http://www.uk.namcobandaigames.eu/news/2012/07/16/d3publisher-reveals-product-details-for-rise-of-the-guardians-the-video-game/3000 |url-status=dead }} It allows gamers to lead the Guardians in their battle against Pitch. The game is a 3D beat-em-up, where the player travels through each of the worlds: Burgess, North Pole, Bunnymund Valley, Tooth Palace and Sandman's Ship, to fight Pitch's army of Nightmares. The player can switch between all five guardians at any time, and freely customize their powers, and they learn new special abilities as they level up. All the game versions support up to 4-player gameplay.{{cite press release | title = D3Publisher and DreamWorks Animation Announce Multi-Property Agreement for Next Three Animated Feature Films | url = http://ir.dreamworksanimation.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=646657 | access-date = February 7, 2012 | publisher = DreamWorks Animation | date = February 7, 2012 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120713060439/http://ir.dreamworksanimation.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=646657 | archive-date = July 13, 2012 }} It is available on the Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo DS, and Nintendo 3DS.{{cite news |title=E3 2012 : Rise of the Guardians annoncé |url=http://www.jeuxvideo.com/news/2012/00059151-e3-2012-rise-of-the-guardians-annonce.htm |access-date=June 9, 2012 |publisher=JeuxVideo.com |date=June 6, 2012 |quote='Les versions PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, DS et 3DS sont attendues pour cet automne, et la déclinaison Wii U est déjà confirmée. / The PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, DS and 3DS are expected this autumn and the ... Wii U is already confirmed. |archive-date=June 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609104700/http://www.jeuxvideo.com/news/2012/00059151-e3-2012-rise-of-the-guardians-annonce.htm |url-status=live }}

Another video game, also of the same name, was released by DreamWorks Animation for iOS on April 6, 2012, over seven months before the console versions.{{cite web |url=http://itunes.apple.com/app/rise-of-the-guardians/id517250596 |title=Rise of the Guardians |website=iTunes |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120412015011/http://itunes.apple.com/app/rise-of-the-guardians/id517250596 |archive-date=April 12, 2012 |url-status=dead |access-date=July 4, 2024}}

After the release of the film, the creators of Rise of the Guardians expressed hope that the strong average grade of "A" given to the film by audiences surveyed by CinemaScore and an enthusiastic word-of-mouth would gather support for the "chance to make a sequel or two."{{cite news|last=Willman|first=Chris|title='Rise of Guardians' Filmmakers Hoping to Make Sword-Wielding-Santa Sequels|url=https://www.thewrap.com/movies/column-post/rise-guardians-filmmakers-still-hoping-make-sword-wielding-santa-sequels-67076|access-date=April 20, 2013|newspaper=The Wrap|date=November 29, 2012|archive-date=May 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130519133039/http://www.thewrap.com/movies/column-post/rise-guardians-filmmakers-still-hoping-make-sword-wielding-santa-sequels-67076|url-status=live}} Author and co-producer of the series, William Joyce, also mentioned in March 2013 that he was still in talks about a sequel with DreamWorks Animation: "There is something that we are proposing that we hope they will want to do."{{cite news|last=Philbrick|first=Jami|title=IAR EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR WILLIAM JOYCE TALKS 'RISE OF THE GUARDIANS' BLU-RAY/DVD, AND A POSSIBLE SEQUEL|url=http://www.iamrogue.com/news/interviews/item/8435-iar-exclusive-interview-author/illustrator-william-joyce-talks-rise-of-the-guardians-blu-ray/dvd-and-a-possible-sequel.html|access-date=April 20, 2013|newspaper=iamROGUE.COM|date=March 11, 2013|archive-date=March 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303170133/http://www.iamrogue.com/news/interviews/item/8435-iar-exclusive-interview-author/illustrator-william-joyce-talks-rise-of-the-guardians-blu-ray/dvd-and-a-possible-sequel.html|url-status=dead}}

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