Content Warning: The following article contains spoilers.In the world of animation, there have been few instances of rapid success like the rise of DreamWorks. Formed in 1994 by Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg, and David Geffen, the studio helped to cement the rise of CGI animated films with the release of Shrek, which became the first winner of the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. The Shrek franchise has also become the second-highest-grossing animated franchise behind Despicable Me.
One of the reasons for DreamWorks’ success is its ability to mix drama and comedy so effectively in its stories. This can be seen in their villains, which range from funny idiots to scheming masterminds. The best DreamWorks villains prove to be effective foils to the heroes and even rival the best antagonists produced by Disney in their Renaissance. All DreamWorks villains bring something unique to the table, whether that’s wit, charm, or gut-busting comedy. The best among them manage to be just as fascinating (or even outshine) the films’ protagonists.
25
Tzekel-Kan
‘The Road to El Dorado’ (2000)
Power in the hidden Mesoamerican city of El Dorado is split between the kindhearted Chief Tannabok (Edward James Olmo) and the fanatical high priest Tzekel-Kan (Armand Assante). When two Spanish con-artists named Miguel (Sir Kenneth Branagh) and Tulio (Kevin Kline) arrive in the city, they are mistaken for gods, and Tzekel-Kan declares that the Year of the Jaguar, which will see the city purged of the unworthy, has begun. However, he begins to have doubts when Miguel and Tulio reject his offerings of human sacrifices.
Tzekel-Kan is not as grand as other DreamWorks villains, but he works perfectly for the smaller, more comedic story of The Road to El Dorado. He starts off as a charismatic man who is, if nothing else, committed to his belief, but the more he is refused by Miguel and Tulio, the more his bloodlust comes to the surface. This makes him a decent representation of a cult leader: he appears friendly and committed on the outside, but inside, it’s all about power.
24
Drago Bludvist
‘How to Train Your Dragon 2’ (2014)
When dragons began threatening Viking tribes, a warlord named Drago Bludvist captured an alpha dragon called a Bewilderbeast and trained it to obey him. He then used the Bewilderbeast to enslave other dragons to use them to augment his army. When the other Viking chiefs refused to obey him, he killed all but Stoick the Vast in dragonfire, and now comes into conflict with Stoick’s son, Hiccup, when he creates a society where Vikings and dragons live in harmony.
Drago is one of DreamWorks’ most simplistic villains, but he works for what he is. Djimon Hounsou’s performance pulls a lot of the weight: his guttural roars and harsh delivery sell Drago as a demonic monster more than a man, especially with how he can command the dragons through fear and power. He also works thematically, presenting Hiccup with a villain he can’t talk down or empathize with.
23
General Mandible
‘Antz’ (1998)
As the very first DreamWorks villain for their first full-length animated feature film, Antz, it’s understandable that General Mandible is rough around the edges. A fierce defender of the Queen’s army, the frightening antagonist clings to values that align with a dictatorship, and makes it his mission to take control of his colony.
There’s not much beyond that arc, and he isn’t a complex villain at all, but General Mandible is undeniably terrifying, if only because the prototype presented through him is true to life. Antz itself is a perfectly average DreamWorks movie that’s really only worth watching for its nostalgic value.
22
The Colonel
‘Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron’ (2002)
As America makes plans to move out west, the Colonel and his contingent of US Cavalrymen are tasked with building a fort to keep watch on the native Lakota tribe. The Colonel also tasks his men with capturing wild horses to turn them in as mounts. When one mustang stallion proves to be especially resilient, the Colonel makes it his mission to prove that any horse can break.
The Colonel has some of the least screentime of any DreamWorks villain, but every moment is memorable and fits Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron‘s unique storytelling. Thematically, he represents the idea of Manifest Destiny as he and his men attempt to subdue the Wild West, but even though he believes in man’s superiority over the natural world, he also knows when to show respect to nature. James Cromwell‘s voice work helps elevate the Colonel further, as he always feels powerful and in control without having to raise his voice.
21
Dave
‘The Penguins of Madagascar’ (2011)
Before Alex the Lion (Ben Stiller), Dave the Octopus (John Malkovich) was the most popular animal at the Central Park Zoo, until four young penguins upstaged him. Passed from zoo to zoo due to more penguin exhibits opening, Dave developed a burning hatred for all penguins and set about enacting his revenge. Disguising himself as Dr. Octavius Brine, he develops a formula to mutate penguins into ugly hybrids and turn humanity against them.
Dave is a hilarious villain thanks to a combination of perfect animation and voice acting. The animators were clearly having fun with his exaggerated movements and big facial expressions, especially when he flops around and twists into knots in his human disguise. As for voice acting, Malkovich gives it all, ensuring that Dave’s lines come across with the perfect mix of unhinged and hilarity.
20
The Toad
‘Flushed Away’ (2006)
When his human owner, Prince Charles, adopted a pet rat, the Toad was supplanted and eventually flushed down the toilet. This planted a deep hatred for all rodents in his heart, and he built a criminal empire in the shadows of the sewer city of Ratropolis. As he makes final plans to wipe out the city by opening the nearby floodgates during the World Cup Final, his master cable is stolen by the thief Rita and the displaced surface rat, Roddy, so the Toad throws all his resources into reclaiming it.
Sir Ian McKellen is a phenomenal actor who has starred in numerous critically praised films, and his performance as the Toad won him an Annie Award for Voice Acting in a Feature Production. It’s a chance for McKellen to go all out and play a character who tries to act dignified and sophisticated, but it’s a poor-fitting mask for a crazed maniac.
19
Captain Chantel Shannon DuBois
‘Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted’ (2012)
An animal control agent based in France, Captain DuBois prides herself on her skill to track and capture any animal. The only thing missing from her repertoire in Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted is a lion. When she learns that Alex the Lion and his friends were spotted on their way back to New York City, she starts a one-woman crusade to complete her collection.
DuBois is probably DreamWorks’ funniest antagonist to date, despite not having as much depth. Not even international borders can stop her once she sets her sight on a goal, which she pursues with an unnatural drive akin to a Terminator. Adding to her comedic value is a lovely hammy and intimidating performance by Frances McDormand.
18
Professor Poopypants
‘Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie’ (2017)
Nick Kroll voices the hilariously nefarious Professor Pee-Pee Diahreeahstein Poopypants Esquire in Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie. Professor P. is a talented scientist who despises his humiliating name, which brings him shame wherever he goes. When his supposed proud moment for claiming the Nobel Prize turns into an embarrassing one, he vows to invent technology that can shrink the part of the human brain that signals laughter.
Playing into the mad scientist trope in an exaggerated way, Kroll’s brilliant voice acting brings the gut-busting antagonist to life. He may be a tad one-note throughout the film, but it’s one he plays well. Captain Underpants itself is worth watching for anyone who enjoys wacky comedy.
17
Prince Charming
‘Shrek the Third’ (2007)
As the son of Far Far Away’s resident Fairy Godmother, Prince Charming was groomed his whole life to be a dashing and beautiful hero who saves the day and wins the crown. Unfortunately for him, his destiny is taken by the ogre, Shrek, who defeats his mother and marries Princess Fiona. Embittered by this, Charming rallies an army of fairy tale villains to take over Far Far Away and get his revenge.
Befitting the Shrek franchise, Prince Charming is a spoof on fairy tale clichés: what if the dashing hero were instead a glamorized mama’s boy? While not enough to save one of the worst films in the Shrek franchise, Charming represents an interesting idea by taking a minor villain from a previous film and giving them the chance to be the main threat. Casting Rupert Everett also works in Charming’s favor, as he gives the character the right level of smug narcissism that makes him entertaining while still hateable.
16
Professor Marmalade
‘The Bad Guys’ (2022)
For his efforts in rebuilding his home city after it was damaged by a meteor, Professor Rupert Marmalade IV (Richard Ayoade) is honored with the Golden Dolphin award. During the ceremony, the award was nearly stolen by five criminals called the Bad Guys, whom Marmalade offers to rehabilitate into good guys. However, this turns out to be a ruse, and Marmalade intends to frame the Bad Guys to cover for his own nefarious plans.
Marmalade is one of the better examples of a twist villain in animated movies. You get the feeling something is off about him with how chipper and eternally optimistic he is, so when the mask comes off and he reveals his true villainy, it makes sense. Things get even better in the sequel movie, where Marmalade has a small but memorable part that shows just how much time in prison has changed him.
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