10 Greatest Quotes in DreamWorks Movies, Ranked
Following a less-than-friendly departure from Disney in 1994, Jeffrey Katzenberg teamed up with Steven Spielberg and David Geffen to found a new animation studio: DreamWorks. This new studio quickly got to work pumping out 2D and 3D animated films, and in 2001, they cemented themselves as a major rival to Disney with the release of Shrek. Since then, they have released dozens of beloved animated films that have become pop culture staples. DreamWorks’ success came from its ability to blend familiar tropes and pop culture references with gorgeous animation and heartfelt stories. This approach has naturally resulted in a huge library of quotable dialogue, of which this list will only cover a small fraction. However, this list will aim to rank the best quotes in DreamWorks’ library, based on their memorability, the role they play in their respective movies, and their meaning and depth.
10
“Ya like Jazz?”
‘Bee Movie’ (2007)
Barry leans against chocolate to ask if ya like JazzImage via DreamWorks
Perhaps the most bizarre example of DreamWorks’ ability to influence popular culture is Bee Movie. It’s one of the company’s strangest movies, with a plot that goes all over the place, and features a plethora of big-name celebrities in bit roles, from Oprah Winfrey to Sting. While a mixed bag on release, it found new life online thanks to its off-the-wall premise, and spawned memes that included posting its dialogue on message forums and highlighting particular one-liners, such as when the bee protagonist, Barry (Jerry Seinfeld), practices pickup lines to use on his human crush, Vanessa (Renée Zellweger). If people don’t know anything about Bee Movie, this one line perfectly sums up everything they need to know. It’s so out of left field and absurd in the moment, and Seinfeld’s delivery perfectly encapsulates someone trying to sound cool while completely out of their depth. It’s quick and extremely random, but the earnest delivery and the strange context ensure that it’ll live rent-free in the heads of all who hear it.
9
“One life spent with you is all I could ever wish for.”
‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’ (2022)
Puss in Boots stares at Kitty SoftpawsImage via Universal Pictures
Shrek 2 introduced the world to Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas), a Zorro-inspired cat who became one of DreamWorks’ biggest breakout characters. He got a spinoff movie in 2011, and it received a sequel in 2022 that, to everyone’s amazement, exceeded all expectations thanks to its outstanding animation and stellar writing, especially how it pushed Puss’ story forward by making him fear for his mortality. This set-up leads to a simple but very poignant line near the end of the film directed to his female partner, Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek). The main theme of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is the inevitability of death and how we need to prioritize what matters most in the time we have. Puss’ main problem was that he was too attached to an idealized version of his life that he could never hope to capture in full, which blinded him to the genuine relationships and affection around him. Thus, we should take a moment now and again to appreciate the people in our lives, for these relationships are what make life worth living.
8
“Oh, you’re a villain alright, just not a super one.”
‘Megamind’ (2010)
Megamind’s drones assemble to create a giant replica of his head.Image via Paramount Pictures
In 2010, Illumination released their flagship movie, Despicable Me, about a supervillain who, while executing his most recent scheme, develops an unlikely relationship and starts down the path to redemption. A few months later, DreamWorks released Megamind, which followed a similar basic premise but stood out thanks to its amazing music and by leaning more into classic superhero tropes and references, especially Richard Donner’s Superman. It gained a cult following thanks to its comedy, heart, and quotable dialogue, with the standout line coming when Megamind (Will Ferrell) arrives inside a gigantic version of his own head made up of thousands of drones to explain to Tighten (Jona Hill) the difference between a villain and a supervillain is all in the presentation. This line not only encapsulates the film’s unique style of humor and superhero satire, but it also serves as some simple advice to live by. Take movies and TV shows, for example: it’s pretty apparent which ones put that extra effort into the presentation and details of their projects, and which ones cut corners. Thus, we should try to put as much passion and effort into our work as possible, because the quality will shine through.
7
“With one word, Pharaoh can take away your very lives. But there is one thing he cannot take away from you: your faith.”
‘The Prince of Egypt’ (1998)
Tzipporah, Aaron, Moses, and Miriam out of Egypt and in the wilderness in ‘The Prince of Egypt’Image via DreamWorks Animation
The Prince of Egypt was DreamWorks’ second movie after Antz, and is widely seen as one of their best. It’s a bold, ambitious adaptation of the Book of Exodus that does not shy away from how dark and intense the story can be. Yet it also makes sure to emphasize the uplifting parts of the story, such as a speech Moses (Val Kilmer) gives to his fellow Hebrews to encourage them to stand strong against the tyranny of Pharaoh Rameses II (Ralph Fiennes). Human history is full of moments of unspeakable horror, and even in our day-to-day lives, fate can deal an unexpected hand, and things can seem bleak and hopeless. However, in these dark times, it’s important to maintain one’s faith that things will turn around; if you stop believing things can change, then they never will. Kilmer also does a great job delivering the line with the warmth and wisdom of a man who has endured hardships and has emerged confident that things will work out in the end, though the road might be long and unpleasant.
6
“After a while, you learn to ignore the names people call you and just trust who you are.”
‘Shrek the Third’ (2007)
Shrek, Arthur, Puss in Boots, and Donkey, sit around a campfireImage via Paramount Pictures
Shrek the Third is generally considered the worst film in the Shrek franchise on account of its weaker writing and unfocused plot, split between Prince Charming’s (Rupert Everett) attempt to take over Far Far Away, and Shrek (Mike Myers) coming to terms with being a parent. The place where it best succeeds is in the heart-to-heart moments between Shrek and Arthur (Justin Timberlake), the next in line for the throne. The best of these moments comes when Shrek opens up to Arthur about his experience being called a monster and how he learned to move past it. This line echoes Shrek’s development in the first movie, where he felt he was better off alone because people were quick to judge him based on appearance and stereotypes. It is, unfortunately, very easy to lose one’s self-confidence when all you hear are horrible names and insults, and after a while, it’s possible to start believing them. However, words only have the power to hurt us if we let them, as we are the ones who ultimately decide who we are in life.
5
“With love comes loss, son. It’s part of the deal. Sometimes it hurts, but in the end, it’s all worth it.”
‘How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World’ (2019)
Stoick stands beside a young HiccupImage via Universal Pictures
How to Train Your Dragon took the books of the same name by Cressida Cowell and turned them into a major franchise of films, TV shows, and games about the Vikings of Berk and their ever-growing relationship with their dragon companions. The movies especially tug at the heartstrings as they explore themes such as overcoming prejudice, familial bonds, and coping with grief and loss. One of the best moments for the latter comes in the third film, How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, where Hiccup (A.J. Kane and Jay Baruchel) remembers a conversation with his father, Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler), concerning why he didn’t remarry after his wife was presumed dead. While relationships make life worth living, they sadly come with the caveat that they will one day end and give way to grief. It’s an unfortunate fact of life, but an important one, because grief helps us appreciate the good things in life more. Butler’s delivery of the line further nails this thanks to how soft his voice goes, perfectly capturing how the loss still hurts him, but doesn’t diminish the good memories.
4
“If you only do what you can do, you’ll never be more than you are now.”
‘Kung Fu Panda 3’ (2016)
Master Shi Fu from Kung Fu Panda 3Image via 20th Century Studios
The Kung Fu Panda franchise is no stranger to amazing quotes, thanks in large part to its focus on Eastern philosophy and martial arts. One of the best came during Kung Fu Panda 3—which was partially animated by the Singapore-based company Pearl Studios—from the red panda, Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman). His relationship with Po (Jack Black) was rocky to say the least in the first movie, but as he prepares to enjoy retirement in the third, he gives Po a nugget of advice after his first, disastrous day as Shifu’s replacement. It’s very easy for people to stick with what they know, be it learned skills or daily routines. However, it’s important to still try new things and mix up the formula now and again; otherwise, you are left in stagnation. Trying new experiences and learning new things are how we grow as individuals, especially when we combine the old and the new into something unique.
3
“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it’s called the present.”
‘Kung Fu Panda’ (2008)
Po and Master Oogway under the Peach Tree of Heavenly WisdomImage via Paramount Pictures
When it comes to mentor characters in film, few are as beloved as Master Oogway (Randall Duk Kim). A warlord in his youth, Oogway gave up that life after he was wounded and dedicated his life to peace and the development of kung fu. Many of the franchise’s best lines come from him, but his most iconic one has to be when he comforts a distressed Po beneath the Sacred Peach Tree of Heavenly Wisdom. With how busy our lives can get, it’s very easy to get lost in our heads and focus on things that have gone wrong or could go wrong in the future, which only leads to negative spirals that feed into themselves and prevent us from seeing the obvious solutions. Thus, it’s best to take things one day at a time and tackle problems piece by piece. It might sound like basic advice, but it’s a timeless one that one can never hear too many times.
2
“There is no secret ingredient.”
‘Kung Fu Panda’ (2008)
Po notices his reflection on the Dragon ScrollImage via Paramount Pictures
One of the reasons Kung Fu Panda became such a successful franchise is how universal the story is. Po struggles with his self-image and feels like he needs to be someone other than himself, especially if he wishes to become the Dragon Warrior. However, a conversation with his father, Mr. Ping (James Hong), helps him decipher the riddle of the Dragon Scroll and gives him the strength to defeat the evil Tai Lung (Ian McShane). Like many others in this series, this quote is so beautiful in its simplicity, but sometimes that is the best way to deliver an important message. It reminds audiences that the potential for greatness lies within all of us, but there is no secret way to unlock it quickly. All we need to do is embrace our individual qualities and talents, and the rest will come in time.
1
“Ogres are like onions.”
‘Shrek’ (2001)
Image via DreamWorks Pictures
It cannot be understated how much Shrek altered the landscape of animated movies. It challenged Disney’s decade-long Renaissance by mocking and parodying some of its most popular clichés, such as musicals and fairy tale aesthetics, while the CGI animation offered something new and stylistic. The story is full of important life messages, with the most well-known coming when Shrek tries to explain to Donkey (Eddie Murphy) the complexity of ogres. At first, you laugh at this joke because of how silly it seems to compare a fairy tale creature to a vegetable, but once Shrek explains the connection, it all clicks into place. The quote reminds us that there is more to people than what we see, and outward appearances do not convey the life experiences that shape each person into their unique personality. This message perfectly fits into the movie’s themes regarding prejudice and self-acceptance, and ensures that Shrek will remain a timeless masterpiece.
Shrek
Release Date
May 18, 2001
Publicado: 2025-12-21 02:30:00
fonte: collider.com
