Since leaning toward 3D animation, DreamWorks has built a reputation for being anti-Disney when it comes to its most recognisable IPs, whether it’s the beloved Shrek or the Martin Scorsese-starrer Shark Tale. While the studio doesn’t compare to something like Pixar when it comes to delivering emotionally resonant stories consistently, when it does, we get gems like How to Train Your Dragon and The Wild Robots.

Unfortunately, one such poignant story that deserved its own franchise was brushed under the rug, even though it had a lot more to offer than its competitors during the same timeframe.

Rise of the Guardians‘ failure stings deeply Rise of the Guardians | Credit: DreamWorks

For a studio that is notable for integrating pop-culture into its stories, in the early 2000s, DreamWorks branched out its slate with How to Train Your Dragon, arguably the best non-Disney Disney animated releases of that era.