Top 10 Most Unforgivable DreamWorks Moments
#10: RJ Betrays the Animals “Over the Hedge” (2006)
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After he accidentally ruins a stash of food belonging to an intimidating bear, wily raccoon RJ has only a week to undo his actions. He meets a group of innocent creatures who are victims of human development, and comes up with a way to replace the damaged supply. Suggesting they cross into human territory to secure food stores, he plots to take the fruits of their labor to settle his debt. Things get even more gnarly when the unwitting animals side with him over one of their own. As if it couldn’t get any worse, RJ goes ahead with his plan until the last moment. Sure, he has a change of heart, but only after he leaves his newfound family to the exterminator.
#9: The Boov's Takeover of Earth “Home” (2015)
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This sci-fi comedy begins with an event that alters the course of human history, and not in a good way. The Boov, aliens fleeing a race known as the Gorg, decide it’s within their right to stage a total takeover of Earth. And what happens to the planet’s residents? They’re shipped to select areas while the Boov take their place. Although “Home” is a kids’ movie through and through, this plot development has an undercurrent of serious darkness, recalling real-life tragedies. Although we’re rooting for some Boov characters like Jim Parsons’ Oh, their decision to conquer Earth is obviously questionable.
#8: Grimmel Has Berk Burned Down “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World” (2019)
The antagonist of the third “How to Train Your Dragon” film isn’t exactly likable. We’ve gotten to know and love dragons over the course of the film series, so a man notorious for hunting the awe-inspiring creatures is easy to hate. On top of that, Grimmel is responsible for a truly terrible act. When he pays Hiccup a visit in the latter’s hometown of Berk, Hiccup’s plans for a surprise attack go awry. With Grimmel getting out and his dragons setting the entire community ablaze, it marks a devastating defeat. Thankfully, our hero and his neighbors are able to pick up the pieces.
#7: How The Colonel Treats Spirit “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron” (2002)
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Engaging in animal abuse is one way to make a character entirely unsympathetic. The protagonist in this Western, the most prominent stallion in a frontier herd, is tragically captured by wranglers. A painstaking attempt to domesticate Spirit follows, and it’s difficult to watch. After the horse resists being controlled, the cavalry leader known as The Colonel subjects him to truly cruel treatment. With Spirit roped to a post with zero sustenance for days on end, it makes for a heartbreaking sequence. However, that does make it all the more satisfying when the stallion finally escapes from The Colonel’s clutches.
#6: Drago Kills Stoick’s Friends “How to Train Your Dragon 2” (2014)
While Stoick is very much at odds with his son Hiccup in the first movie, his arc in this sequel is somewhat tragic. Part of this stems from the actions of Drago Bludvist, a Viking leader with a nefarious plan for the entirety of dragonkind. When Hiccup wants to reason with the enemy, his father intervenes and shares a dark story from his past. As it turns out, Drago had once tried to make a deal with his fellow chieftains. When the negotiation didn’t go as he desired, his dragons made quick work of everyone but Stoick. It’s a sad and downright terrifying tale that totally justifies Stoick’s serious reservations.
#5: Dr. Zara Tries to Kill Yi “Abominable” (2019)
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There’s nothing abominable about the yeti known as Everest in this adventure flick. That word could definitely apply to another character, though: the zoologist Dr. Zara. She and Everest’s captor, a magnate called Mr. Burnish, join forces to track down the creature. You’d think that as an animal scientist, Zara would have more empathy for the yeti. Even so, she’ll practically stop at nothing to get her hands on him and make a profit. This includes pushing our heroine Yi, who is only a teenager, off an icy bridge. It doesn’t get much more ruthless than that.
#4: King Harold Takes a Hit Out on Shrek “Shrek 2” (2004)
This one’s all in the family. King Harold’s shady dealings make for much of the conflict in this second installment of the comedy franchise. We wouldn't dislike him quite as much if he’d simply challenged his despised son-in-law to a duel. But the backdoor nature of his actions somehow make them worse. Harold visits a seedy bar to orchestrate the murder of his daughter’s true love. Of course, the would-be assassin turns into a trusted ally for Shrek. To be fair, Harold’s plan in service of his debt to the Fairy Godmother. But we can all agree that murder isn’t the answer to family drama.
#3: What Pharaoh Seti Does to Infants “The Prince of Egypt” (1998)
This musical drama focuses on some events from the Book of Exodus that aren’t exactly light fare. The film tells the story of Moses, and his backstory in Ancient Egypt is dark to say the least. In the opening sequence, we learn that Hebrew babies are being violently taken away from their families. Our protagonist of course escapes this grim fate and is unwittingly adopted by royalty. Years later, however, he discovers the truth. Moses realizes that his father figure Pharaoh Seti ordered this tragedy among the enslaved population. From that point on, Seti is pretty much irredeemable. Ditto his son Rameses, who chooses to keep the Hebrews in captivity after assuming power.
#2: Lord Farquaad Torments the Gingerbread Man “Shrek” (2001)
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The “Shrek” movies are known for their clever and sometimes edgy sense of humor. But one of the first film’s earliest scenes is downright disturbing. Sure, the sequence fittingly introduces us to the ruthless and totally self-serving Farquaad. But we’re heartbroken that this comes at Gingy’s expense. We first see the humanoid cookie being dunked in milk as a method of suffocation. Then, Farquaad taunts the powerless prisoner with his own broken legs. If the scene weren’t using a fantastical edible character, it would be extraordinarily dark. Gingy calls his captor a monster — and we’re inclined to agree. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. General Mandible's Plan, “Antz” (1998) Destroying Most of Your Community to Ensure Only the Strong Survive? Yikes. Eep Endangers Her Family, “The Croods” (2013) When the Teen Sneaks Out at Night, She Leaves Her Family Hideout Totally Vulnerable Alex Tries to Eat Marty, “Madagascar” (2005) The Predator-Prey Dynamic Comes Between These Two Close Friends Farquaad Attempts to Marry Fiona Under False Pretenses, “Shrek” (2001) The Lord Has No Love for Fiona, He Just Wants to Be a King Eris Frames Sinbad, “Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas” (2003) The Wicked Goddess Gets Sinbad (& His Old Friend Proteus) the Death Penalty
#1: Shen’s Attack on the Pandas “Kung Fu Panda 2” (2011)
All of the villains in the “Kung Fu Panda” trilogy do some pretty terrible things. But Lord Shen takes it over the edge in the second film. In the prologue, we learn that the warmongering peacock attacked local pandas due to a threatening prophecy. But it’s only when Po has a flashback to his youth that we grasp the full effect of Shen’s actions. For one, it’s heartbreaking to see Po’s mother attempt to save her son from a fiery demise and ward off their assailants. But it’s particularly devastating to know that the bear population was destroyed, even if some pandas would live to see another day. It’s an important saga in Po’s characterization, but it makes Shen utterly hateable.