We all love Disney, but some of us forget that there are a number of successful animation studios that produce fantastic films, many of which you probably assumed came from Disney. Take a look at this list to see if any of your favorite movies were produced by a company other than Disney.
1. Shrek
Dreamworks, 2001
This childhood classic puts a fun twist on the typical damsel-in-distress storyline by replacing the handsome prince with a grumpy ogre and the grateful damsel with a sassy princess. The witty banter and occasional slips of adult humor are sure to keep parents entertained and children happy. The success of this classic helped to establish Dreamworks as a strong competitor for Disney.
2. Anastasia
20th Century Fox, 1997
Usually, you would expect a tale of missing royalty to come from Disney, but this movie was produced in 1997 by 20th Century Fox. The movie is based on a real Russian legend of a duchess escaping the execution of her entire family. In this loose adaptation, the Duchess is depicted as an amnesiac searching for her family when she is joined by two con men wishing to use her for her resemblance to the missing duchess. This beautifully produced film will surely leave you in awe.
3. The Road to El Dorado
Dreamworks, 2000
By far one of my favorite childhood movies, "The Road to El Dorado" features two con artists, Tulio and Miguel, as they embark on a journey to find the legendary City of Gold. In a miraculous twist, they find themselves in an extensive con pretending to be gods in the city of El Dorado. This comedic family film displays a beautiful color palette and imaginative animation that successfully immerses you in their world. With contributing artists of Elton John and Tim Rice, this soundtrack will be guaranteed to stick in your head for a few days.
4. The Prince of Egypt
Dreamworks, 1998
"The Prince of Egypt" is a simplified version of the biblical book of Exodus and is intended to make these events easier for children to understand. The movie follows Moses' life as he discovers who he is and journey through becoming a man of God. He faces challenges when his brother Pharaoh refuses to acknowledge God's demands to let his people, the Hebrews, go. The movie successfully makes the content easy to follow and interesting to watch, while also providing a wonderful soundtrack.
5. Despicable Me
Universal, 2010
This is a movie about a big-time villain with a soft spot for three orphan girls. During his biggest heist ever, Gru adopts orphans, Margo, Edith and Agnes, and uses them to gain access to his enemy's lair. His plan ultimately changes as he becomes attached to them. This heart-warming movie provides a constant stream of laughter mixed with action and sentiment. And let's not forget about the lovable Minions who add a lot of the humor.
6. Spirit — Stallion of the Cimarron
Dreamworks, 2002
"Spirit" is the story of life in the old west told by a rebellious stallion experiencing humans for the first time. The stallion proves to be unbreakable when the US Army captures and attempts to tame him. He escapes with the help of a Lakota Native American, Little Creek, who brings him back to his tribe. This movie takes a refreshing turn from the Disney norm of having talking animals and puts a realistic spin on it: the film is narrated by the stallion, but he at no point speaks directly to the humans. This inspiring tale is a must-see for any free-spirit.
7. Rise of the Guardians
Dreamworks, 2012
The rise of the Boogeyman forces the Guardians to assemble in order to keep the children of the world safe. Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Toothfairy and the Sandman ask the mischievous Jack Frost to join their team to stop Pitch from striking fear into all the children. This action-packed, feel-good movie depicts the childhood fantasy figures in a non-traditional way and shows how important they are for kids.
8. Quest for Camelot
Warner Bros, 1998
This tale puts an entertaining twist on the legend of King Arthur when a rogue knight plans to steal Excalibur and take over Camelot. Fortunately, his plans falter when the sword is lost in the Forbidden Forest. Kayley, the daughter of a former knight of the round table, goes out searching for the sword when she meets Garrett, a blind man living in the forest, who joins her in her attempt to save Camelot. This exciting storyline and the interesting cast of the characters keep the audience on their toes.
9. How to Train Your Dragon
Dreamworks, 2010
Young Hiccup has never really fit in among his Viking peers. He never had the heart to kill a dragon, but instead started a trend of riding them. This movie holds some of the best action scenes in animation along with a valuable lesson of getting to know your enemies because they might not be as bad as you think. Like any great movie, there's sentiment, action, humor and, of course, dragons. The lovable Toothless will make every kid want to be a dragon rider.
10. Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas
Dreamworks, 2003
In this fantastical adventure, Sinbad, a pirate, finds himself falsely accused of a crime and to prove his innocence he must travel to the edge of the world to retrieve the stolen Book of Piece. With an evil goddess and a sea of monsters working against him, this proves to be a difficult task. Not to mention, he finds himself in the middle of a complex love triangle. The intricate plot of this movie will be sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.
