As both critical and audience acclaim forThe Wild Robotcontinues to circulate, DreamWorks' confirmation of a sequel for the animated movie seems to point towards its plan to replace its $1 billion franchise,How to Train Your Dragon. Following the journey of the titular robot, Roz (Lupita Nyong’o), through motherhood and survival,The Wild Robothas already proven itself a worthy competitor to the best animated movies of not only 2024 itself, but also all time. This includes DreamWorks' own massive success, theHow to Train Your Dragonfranchise.
FromThe Wild Robot’s stellar castto the gorgeous work of its animators, this movie based on Peter Brown’s book has had no shortage of praise - and thus high demand for a sequel. It’s already being discussed as one of thebest animated movies with a robot protagonist, a niche corner of the animation genre, but these conversations have expanded significantly, especially now that it has received official sequel confirmation. OnlyHow to Train Your Dragonhas achieved similar success on this level for DreamWorks, despite the popularity of franchises likeShrek, which draws many comparisons between the two.
The Wild Robot’s Sequel Comes After It Got DreamWorks' Best Reviews Since How To Train Your Dragon
This Success Is Being Replicated
While demand for a sequel toThe Wild Robothas been high, it always comes down to whether the movie has been a success or not - and, in this case, it most certainly has. Sequel plans were, of course, easy to make, with Brown’s original book expanding into a trilogy, but this alone couldn’t guarantee that a sequel would be made. The reviews are the deciding factor, andthey have been more than favorable enough forThe Wild Robotto officially become DreamWorks' next franchise. From both the critics and audiences,The Wild Robothas DreamWorks' best reviews since 2010.
Rotten Tomatoes Scores For How to Train Your Dragon & The Wild Robot
99%
91%
98%
AfterHow to Train Your Dragonpremiered in 2010, it earned the current top spot it has in terms of its Rotten Tomatoes score. It was these reviews that helpedHow to Train Your Dragonto continue its expansion into a franchise, and now, history is repeating itself withThe Wild Robot. This, however, is far from the first parallel between the two. In fact, there’s a fascinating number of comparisons between the two that certainly seem to prove thatThe Wild Robothas the potential to become a modern replacement for theHow to Train Your Dragonfranchise.
The Wild Robot Has Several Similarities To How To Train Your Dragon
Both In A General & Specific Sense
The first, and perhaps most prominent, similarity the two share is that they are both helmed by Chris Sanders, with the help of his long-time collaborator Dean DeBlois. Sanders' work has spanned far beyond DreamWorks as well, with him being responsible forLilo & Stitchin addition to various other big hits. While Sanders is given this writing and directing credit,both these animated franchises have also been based upon beloved children’s books, which act as a guide to the story Sanders seeks to tell through the animated medium.
The Wild Robot Escapes: What Happens In The Movie’s Sequel Book
As a movie based on a book, The Wild Robot already has a sequel plan in the form of The Wild Robot Escapes. This is what happens next in Roz’s story.
There are other, more minute comparisons that the two share as well, particularly in their story tropes. Interestingly enough, each movie sees a main character lose their leg, with both Roz and Hiccup respectively. There’s also a core theme of survival in both, albeit in different conditions. These two movies certainly have their differences, buttheir comparisons are close enough that they can resonate with both audiences in ways that don’t feel so blatantly similar to one another. This is what’s helping DreamWorks to set itself up for the same kind of success with another franchise, 14 years later.
The Wild Robot Franchise Can Help DreamWorks Replace How To Train Your Dragon
DreamWorks Needs Another Successful Franchise
DreamWorks' work is finished with theHow to Train Your Dragonfranchise, which means that they’re actively searching for another to take its place. While they certainly have a few options and avenues they could explore, there’s no doubt now thatThe Wild Robotis the best option to take this mantle and carry it far. It’s already achieved incredible critical and, so far, monetary success, two factors that alone point towards DreamWorks achieving a similar feat with this new franchise that they did withHow to Train Your Dragon.
Of course,there’s no replacingHow to Train Your Dragonin terms of its own individual story and impact, butThe Wild Robothas a chance to replicate that successin its own way. The manner in which it’s already started to resonate with audiences proves that. These characters are ones the audience has bonded closely with, and their story is one people are eager to follow. Should DreamWorks truly aim to achieve the same kind of $1 billion success they had withHow to Train Your Dragon, thenThe Wild Robotis the perfect option moving forward.
The Wild Robot
Cast
The Wild Robot is an animated drama film based on a series of books by Peter Brown. The adaptation is written and directed by Chris Sanders and stars Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, and Catherine O’Hara. The Wild Robot centers on a robot named Rozzum 7134, who becomes stranded on a deserted island and the guardian of a young orphan.
