Since the late 1990s, DreamWorks Animation has been one of the busiest producers of animated feature films, creating iconic franchises likeShrek,Kung Fu Panda, andHow To Train Your Dragon. Over the course of two decades, and more than 30 films, many A-list stars have lent their voices to DreamWorks characters, from Kate Winslet, to Justin Timberlake, to even Martin Scorsese.
However, the best of the best include not only some of the most iconic DreamWorks characters of all time, but some of the most iconic animated characters of all time. Whether the role is big or small, these actors' performances have stood out as some of the best voice work in any DreamWorks animated film.
Every Hero Needs A Good Companion
Film Appearances:
Most audiences got to see the talent of America Ferrera in 2023’sBarbie, butfans of theHow to Train Your Dragonfranchisehave been hearing it for years with her voice performance as Astrid. In the films, Astrid is Hiccup’s love interest. But she’s not an easily won wife, as she’s fiercely competitive and driven to be the best Dragon Rider she can be.
TheHow to Train Your Dragonfilms take place over a number of years, from Astrid’s teenage beginnings with Hiccup to adulthood. Ferrera was the perfect choice to voice the character as she goes from petulant teen to a strong Viking woman. Few actors could channel the character’s toughness and compassion as well as America Ferrera.
9Robert De Niro as Don Lino
The Raging Bull Stays In His Comfort Zone
Shark Taleboasts an impressive cast, from Will Smith to Angelina Jolie, and even future kung fu-fighting panda Jack Black. However, the standout from this film is Robert De Niro. He plays Don Lino, a great white shark who leads a mob and seeks revenge on Smith’s street-smart Oscar, for supposedly killing his son Lenny.
Given the mafia themes ofShark Tale, De Niro was an excellent choice, considering his history with films likeThe Godfather: Part II,Goodfellas, andMean Streets. It’s not a stretch for De Niro to play Don Lino, but seeing him turn on his mafioso energy for a comical voice performance makesShark Talea great film.
From Kazakhstan To Madagascar
When most people think of King Julien, they probably sing in their heads, “I like to move it, move it.” That’s all thanks to the charismatic performance of Sacha Baron Cohen, who’s more widely known for characters like Borat, Bruno, and Ali G. However, Cohen also steals the show in DreamWorks’Madagascar,as well as its sequels and spin-off films.
Cohen’s voice as King Julien is instantly recognizable, having been based on an attorney of his from Sri Lanka. It’s also quite a stretch for the actor compared to the other voices that he’s known for. It’s amazing how he was able to create such a memorable and quotable character.
7Reese Witherspoon as Ginormica
Bringing A New Meaning To “Bridezilla”
There are a lot of iconic voice roles inMonsters vs. Aliens, from Seth Rogen’s B.O.B. to Hugh Laurie as Dr. Cockroach. However, the character who grounds the movie is Susan, a woman struck by a meteorite on her wedding day and transformed into the colossal Ginormica. She’s voiced by Reese Witherspoon, whose career includes iconic roles inLegally BlondeandElection.
Given that Ginormica ends up becoming the leader ofthe film’s team of monsters, Witherspoon carries a lot of the film’s emotion. While the film centers on a lot of science fiction concepts, Witherspoon’s performance makes this monster seem more human than a lot of DreamWorks characters.
6Will Ferrell as Megamind
It Feels Too Good To Be Bad
Will Ferrell’s performance inMegamindcalls back to some of his best work onSaturday Night Live.The film centers on a nefarious supervillain who mistakenly defeats his superhero nemesis, Metro Man, during a battle, giving him full control of the city and, sadly, a lack of passion for what he does without the yin to his yang.
Ferrell does a great job portraying not only Megamind’s devious showmanship, as well as the glimpses of pathetic desperation throughout the film. It’s only a shame the actor doesn’t reprise his role for the Peacock seriesMegamind Rules!, given how devoted Ferrell was to the promotional campaign for the original film.
The Waffle-Making, Catchphrase-Slinging Sidekick
Few animated characters are as quotable as Donkey fromShrek.Eddie Murphy appears in all four mainlineShrekfilmsas the titular ogre’s sidekick, who eagerly joins his quest to save Princess Fiona in the first film. Despite being obnoxious and loud, done brilliantly by the fast-talking and witty Murphy, he ends up becoming one of Shrek’s closest friends in the franchise.
He only gets funnier in the sequels. From being turned into a gorgeous stallion inShrek 2to his flirtatious romance with the Dragon, Murphy puts in the work to make Donkey a memorable character. It’s only a mystery which lines were scripted, and which were improvisations by Murphy.
A Feline With A Vengeance
Antonio Banderas joined theShrekfranchise in the second film, giving the fairy tale character an Inigo Montoya personality. Banderas shines most in his voice work when Puss in Boots displays the attributes of a real cat, from coughing up hairballs to hating getting wet.
Banderas has had the opportunity lately to dive deeper into the character. Although theShrekfranchise has been inactive sinceShrek Forever After, Puss in Boots got two solo films for Banderas to shine in. Banderas' voice work asPuss nearing death in 2022’sThe Last Wishis a standout performance in DreamWorks history.
Even Cavemen Can Seem Relatable
It’s hard to cast Emma Stone and not expect her to bring her A-game. The two-time Academy Award-winning actress appears in bothThe Croodsfilms as Eep, daughter of Nick Cage’s Grug, who falls for the inventive Guy, voiced by Ryan Reynolds. From Eep’s appearance to her youthful voice, Stone was the perfect choice to play this teen.
Stone’s performance as Eep recalls some of her work in comedy films likeEasy AorSuperbad, which turned the actress into a mainstream success.The Croodsis right up her alley, and she turns what could have been a forgettable supporting character into the most likable member of the prehistoric franchise.
The Ogre With Feelings
There was almost a timeline in whichMike Myers didn’t voice Shrek, as comedian Chris Farley was originally cast in the role before he died. Although Farley’s passing is a shame, Myers took the opportunity to play Shrek and ran with it.
Myers added new layers to the character by adopting a Scottish accent, believing it would sell the character as a peasant in feudal England. Whether he’s explaining to Donkey why ogres are like onions, or professing his love for Princess Fiona, Myers walks a thin tightrope between a comical curmudgeon and a romantic lead.
The Unlikely Hero With The Likable Voice Actor
Has any actor been more committed to their character than Jack Black is as Po the Panda? TheKung Fu Pandaseries seems tailor-made for Black, centering on the adventures of a lazy panda who isdeclared the next Dragon Warrior, a long lineage of kung fu masters. It’s almost a missed opportunity to not makeKung Fu Pandalive-action, the way Black embodies the role.
Whether it’s his work in the comedy rock band Tenacious D or films likeNacho Libre, there’s not much to Black’s voice performance other than being himself. However, DreamWorks was smart to craft the character of Po around Jack Black, as there’s truly no better A-list voice actor than him. If only fans of Jack Black could see Po take on Bowser fromThe Super Mario Bros Movie.
