DreamWorks Animation

What DreamWorks Animation does

DreamWorks Animation is a major animated film and television studio headquartered in Glendale, California, founded in 1994 by Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg, and David Geffen. Acquired by NBCUniversal (Comcast) in 2016 for $3.8 billion, it operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of NBCUniversal and produces animated feature films and television programming for global audiences. Over 30 years the studio has produced more than 50 animated feature films generating over $17 billion at the global box office, with content reaching consumers in more than 190 countries. The company employs 1,001-5,000 people across its 13-acre Glendale campus, which houses artists, animators, technologists, and engineers.

The company operates through four primary revenue streams: theatrical film distribution via Universal Pictures (one-time licensing), streaming and television licensing (with Netflix as anchor partner), consumer products merchandising via master toy partners such as Spin Master, and location-based entertainment licensing through Universal theme parks. Core franchises include Shrek, How to Train Your Dragon, Kung Fu Panda, Trolls, Madagascar, The Boss Baby, The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots, The Wild Robot, and Gabby's Dollhouse. The studio's proprietary technology stack centers on the Premo animation platform (winner of 8 Academy Scientific and Technical Awards) and the MoonRay path-tracing renderer (used on every DreamWorks feature since 2019 and now hosted by the Academy Software Foundation as open-source). DreamWorks also employs real-time production workflows using Unreal Engine. Revenue mechanics rely on content licensing and royalty arrangements rather than direct-to-consumer pricing.

DreamWorks primarily serves families with children as its consumer audience and entertainment industry partners (streaming platforms, theatrical distributors, consumer products companies, theme park operators) as its enterprise customer base. The TV division produces hundreds of hours of original kids and family programming annually for global distribution, while the feature film division maintains a slate of 1-2 major releases per year. Upcoming products include Shrek 5 (June 2027), a Donkey spin-off (June 2028), How to Train Your Dragon 2 live-action (June 2027), The Wild Robot Escapes (2026), and the Filipino mythology-inspired Forgotten Island (September 2026).

Name

DreamWorks Animation

Legal name

DreamWorks Animation

Website

https://dreamworks.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

DreamWorks Animation is an NBCUniversal-owned animated film and television studio producing feature films and TV content distributed through Universal Pictures theatrical releases, Netflix streaming, consumer products licensing, and theme parks across 190+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animated Film and Television Production

NAICS

Doll, Toy, and Game Manufacturing (33993)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

3D/CGI Animation Production (MPADACAB)

Keywords

• Animated film production
• Family entertainment content
• Animation studio
• Character franchise licensing
• Streaming television series

Headquarters

HQ city

Glendale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Theatrical Film Distribution: DreamWorks Animation produces feature films distributed theatrically worldwide by Universal Pictures. Films generate box office revenue through theatrical releases, with franchises like Shrek grossing over $2.9 billion worldwide and The Wild Robot earning over $300 million globally.
2. Streaming and TV Licensing: TV division produces original programming distributed through Netflix and other streaming platforms globally. Content includes series like Gabby's Dollhouse, Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous, and Dragons: Race to the Edge reaching consumers in more than 190 countries.
3. Consumer Products and Merchandising: DreamWorks licenses its franchises for consumer products including toys, publishing, fashion, home goods, food, beauty products, and video games. Properties like Gabby's Dollhouse have generated significant merchandise revenue with products across multiple categories.
4. Location-Based Entertainment: DreamWorks IP is licensed for theme parks, attractions, and experiences including Universal Kids Resort and Universal theme parks, creating immersive entertainment experiences that extend franchise value.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

DreamWorks Animation develops, produces, and exploits animated feature films and television series built around proprietary character franchises such as Shrek, Trolls, Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon, The Wild Robot, and Gabby's Dollhouse. The studio monetizes its IP through theatrical distribution via Universal Pictures, streaming and broadcast licensing (notably through Netflix), consumer products licensing, and theme park/attraction partnerships. It also develops proprietary animation technology including the Premo animation platform and the open-source MoonRay renderer.

Product overview

DreamWorks Animation is an animated film and television studio that creates content for global audiences across theatrical, streaming, and digital platforms. The company's core offerings include animated feature films organized into major franchises (Shrek, Trolls, Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon, The Bad Guys, The Wild Robot, Madagascar, The Boss Baby) and television series (Gabby's Dollhouse, Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous). Beyond content, DreamWorks has developed proprietary animation technology including the Premo animation platform and the open-source MoonRay renderer. The company operates as a division of NBCUniversal, with films distributed by Universal Pictures and content distributed through platforms like Netflix. The studio has produced over 50 animated feature films generating more than $17 billion at the global box office.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Shrek Franchise Animated film franchise featuring an ogre named Shrek, Donkey, and Princess Fiona; targeting global family audiences with theatrical and home entertainment releases.
• Trolls Franchise Animated film franchise featuring Poppy and Branch troll characters; targeting children and family audiences through theatrical releases and consumer products.
• Kung Fu Panda Franchise Animated film franchise featuring Po the Panda learning kung fu; targeting global family audiences and one of DreamWorks' most successful franchises.
• How to Train Your Dragon Franchise Animated film and TV franchise featuring Viking Hiccup and dragon Toothless; targeting global audiences with theatrical releases, TV series, and live-action adaptations.
• The Bad Guys Franchise Animated film franchise featuring reformed villain characters attempting to become good; targeting family audiences with theatrical releases.
• The Wild Robot Animated feature film about a robot named Roz who crash-lands on an uninhabited island; targeting global family audiences through theatrical release and home entertainment.
• Gabby's Dollhouse Animated Netflix series and franchise featuring Gabby Cat and her friends exploring a magical dollhouse; targeting preschool and family audiences through streaming, YouTube, Roblox, and consumer products.
• Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous Netflix animated series set in the Jurassic World universe following teenagers trapped on Isla Nublar; targeting family and tween audiences through streaming distribution.
• Forgotten Island Animated feature film inspired by Filipino folklore and mythology; targeting global audiences through theatrical release.
• How to Train Your Dragon 2 (Live-Action) Live-action theatrical film adaptation of the animated franchise; targeting global family audiences through theatrical release.
• Madagascar Franchise Animated film franchise featuring zoo animals; targeting global family audiences through theatrical releases and consumer products.
• The Boss Baby Franchise Animated film and TV franchise featuring a suit-wearing baby character; targeting family audiences through theatrical releases, streaming, and consumer products.
• Puss in Boots Franchise Animated film franchise featuring the Puss in Boots character; targeting family audiences through theatrical releases and consumer products.
• MoonRay Renderer Open-source physically based path-tracing renderer used in animated film production; available to the animation industry through the Academy Software Foundation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $17 billion generated at global box office across 50+ animated feature films
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Academy Software FoundationcoreTechnology or Integration · 19 May 2026DreamWorks Animation's MoonRay open-source path-tracing renderer has joined the Academy Software Foundation as a hosted project. MoonRay has rendered every DreamWorks feature film since 2019 and will be maintained and developed under ASWF with continued DreamWorks engineering support.
• ZigazoominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 October 2025DreamWorks Animation partnered with children's social platform Zigazoo to create interactive fan experience for Gabby's Dollhouse: The Movie, featuring challenges where kids can post video responses and engage with content in COPPA-compliant environment.
• Wetzel's PretzelsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 January 2025Wetzel's Pretzels partnered with DreamWorks Animation for Dog Man film release with limited-time menu items including Dog Bites, Pizza Bitz, Ranch Dip, and Supa Blue Raspberry Frozen Lemonade served in branded packaging.
• DreamWorks Animation TV and UCPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production partnership for Casper live-action series with DreamWorks Animation TV and UCP producing for Disney+ streaming platform. If the series goes forward, it will mark Universal Studio Group's first original content on Disney+. Project described as a modern update with dark edge, executive produced by Steven Spielberg.
• Universal Products & ExperiencescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversal Products & Experiences unveiled franchise expansion plans for DreamWorks Animation's Gabby's Dollhouse at Licensing Expo in Las Vegas. Partnership includes theme park expansions, consumer products, and new content development.
• Toon City AnimationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduction partner for Forgotten Island animated film featuring Filipino creators and mythology, with Toon City Animation involved in production alongside Playlab Manila and DreamWorks.
• Playlab ManilacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduction partner for Forgotten Island animated film featuring Filipino creators and mythology, working with DreamWorks on the Philippine culture-inspired animated adventure.
• Spin MastercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMaster toy partner for Gabby's Dollhouse franchise producing products across toys, publishing, fashion, home, food, beauty and video games driving consumer products growth.
• Universal Kids ResortminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerGabby's Dollhouse franchise expanding into theme parks including Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas opening summer 2025 with themed lands and attractions.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Warner Bros. Animation: Warner Bros.' animation division producing family feature films and series (The Lego Movie franchise, DC animated content). Direct peer in family theatrical and streaming animation with similar franchise IP economics.
• Laika: Stop-motion animation studio (Coraline, Kubo and the Two Strings) producing premium family features. Direct peer in the family animation space with similar theatrical release model and high production value positioning.
• Aardman Animations: British stop-motion and CG animation studio (Wallace & Gromit, Chicken Run). Direct peer in family theatrical animation with comparable franchise IP and global distribution reach.
• Pixar Animation Studios: Industry-leading CG animation studio (Toy Story, Inside Out), also owned by Disney. Closest direct peer in CG animation technology, theatrical release model, and family audience focus, with comparable franchise IP economics.
• Walt Disney Animation Studios: Disney's flagship feature animation studio, producing tentpole CG animated films (Frozen, Moana, Encanto). Direct competitor in the same product category, serving the same family audience with similar theatrical and franchise economics.
• Illumination: Universal Pictures' in-house animation studio (Despicable Me, Minions, The Secret Life of Pets). Sister studio under NBCUniversal producing CG animated features for the same family audience, sharing distribution infrastructure and competing for theatrical slots.
• Paramount Animation: Paramount's animation division producing theatrical animated features. Direct peer in family theatrical animation, though with a smaller and more recent slate compared to DreamWorks' established franchise library.
• Sony Pictures Animation: Sony's animation division producing CG features (Spider-Verse franchise, Hotel Transylvania). Direct competitor in CG theatrical animation with comparable family-targeted franchises and theatrical release model.

Emerging players

• Skydance Animation: Skydance's animation division (Luck, Spellbound) producing theatrical and streaming animated features. Emerging peer with similar family-audience focus and feature animation model, gaining scale with new releases.
• Netflix Animation: Netflix's in-house animation studio producing original animated features and series. Overlaps as both DreamWorks' largest streaming customer and an emerging competitor in family animation content production.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/DreamWorks
• Instagraminstagram.com/dreamworks
• Xx.com/DWAnimation
• Facebookfacebook.com/DreamWorksAnimation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dreamworks-animation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A3 records

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DreamWorks Animation