Top 10 DreamWorks Misfits We Love
#10: All of the Monsters “Monsters vs. Aliens” (2009)
A giant, a mutant tomato, an aquatic ape, a super-sized grub, and a man who’s half-cockroach . . . it doesn’t take much to realize why these five are misfits. To protect them from the public, or maybe vice versa, they’re all locked away in a top secret military base, without much to to do but learn to live with each other’s differences. Of course, in the end, their abnormalities are also what save the people on Earth from total annihilation - proving that there’s always some good in being a little different.
#9: Z “Antz” (1998)
The opening moments say it all. From the fact that he can’t lift ten times his own body weight, to his dislike of dirt, Z is definitely out of place as a worker ant, leaving him feeling small and pointless. To make it worse, his therapist only confirms his fears! His self-aware, neurotic discontent makes him stick out like a sore thumb, as he complains about pretty much everything and pines for a better place - like Insectopia! Fortunately, it’s these same tendencies that ultimately save the colony from itself, and help him find his place - right where he’s always been.
#8: Marty the Zebra “Madagascar” franchise
Although Private, the dim-witted odd-penguin-out was also a contender here, we had to give this spot to Marty the Zebra. From the opening credits of the first “Madagascar” installment, it’s clear that this monochromatic mammal longs for the wide open plains of the wild. It’s even his birthday wish, something his zoo-dwelling friends struggle to understand. Even when his wish comes true, and he meets other zebras in “Escape 2 Africa”, he still stands out as one-of-a-kind - an individual in a sea of black and white. Not knowing where he stands in this world must be frustrating, but at least it makes for some good laughs.
#7: Jack Frost “Rise of the Guardians” (2012)
Everyone who’s heard “The Christmas Song” knows the line about Jack Frost nipping at your nose. But who IS Jack Frost? Well, in “Rise of the Guardians”, he’s the mischievous, fun-loving spirit of winter. He’s also a bit of a loner, until he meets a band of other misfits from myth - the Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, and of course Santa Claus. At first, poor Jack doesn’t know where he fits into this legendary group. He’s much too impish to truly belong . . . at least at first. But he soon takes his place among the Guardians, as one of the most important of them all: the Guardian of Fun.
#6: Tulio and Miguel “The Road to El Dorado” (2000)
These two scoundrels seem to have been made for the outcast life. They cheat at back alley gambling. They’ve perfectly mastered the script of turning on each other to distract a crowd. And of course, they know when to run. Even in the laps of luxury as supposed gods, Tulio - at least - feels like they shouldn’t get too comfortable. And although Miguel likes the place he’s found among the people of the secret city, it’s true. This pair belongs on the trail of adventure, even without a plan or a map.
#5: Moses “The Prince of Egypt” (1998)
The story of Moses has been adapted for the screen numerous times, and in the late 90s, DreamWorks tried their own hand at this tale of the boy found in a basket. Although he was raised by the Egyptian queen, it’s clear that this young Jewish boy doesn’t think like royalty. Even as he’s pampered in the palace, he’s playful and daring and feels for the plight of the slaves. He even kills a slavedriver in their defence - forcing him to flee into the desert in exile. This makes him a misfit both in terms of his cultural heritage, AND the moral sentiments that drive him to stand up for the downtrodden.
#4: Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III “How to Train Your Dragon” franchise
Like so many on this list, Hiccup knows all too well that he’s a misfit. His father and fellow townspeople are all burly men and women who can take on anything - including dragons. Hiccup, however, balks at killing, and when he gets close enough to a dragon, comes to believe that they shouldn’t be hurt at all. In fact, he trains one of the most dangerous dragons - a Night Fury he names Toothless - by treating him as an equal. In later installments to this franchise, training and riding a dragon becomes the norm, proving that being a misfit doesn’t always mean you’re wrong.
#3: Donkey “Shrek” franchise
In a world of ogres, enchantments, and crossdressing wolves, a talking donkey might not seem all that out of place. However, this particular talking donkey isn’t a misfit because he can talk; it’s because he talks so darn much. He also sings. We have to admit, we can see why grumpy Shrek finds him annoying, even as we Donkey for it. As if that didn’t make him stand out enough, he’s also married to a dragon - and father to six little dronkeys, half-donkeys half-dragons. He might be different, but hey, we’d eat waffles with him anytime.
#2: Po “Kung Fu Panda” franchise
This lovable panda might be as obsessed with eating as he is with kung fu, but that doesn't make him any less good at it, no matter what anyone says. From the moment he’s named The Dragon Warrior, Po lives in two worlds, and he’s a misfit in both of them. He has visions of being something more than a noodle man like his goose father, but he doesn’t quite fit in with The Furious Five either. However, like so many outcasts on this list, he’s determined to prove that he belongs in his own way. And prove it, he most certainly does. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions Barry B. Benson “Bee Movie” (2007) Lenny Lino “Shark Tale” (2004) Eep “The Croods” (2013)
#1: Oh “Home” (2015)
Maybe it’s because he’s blissfully unaware. Or maybe he just doesn’t want to see it. Somehow, the excitable Oh doesn’t seem to realize that others of his kind don’t really want him around. Though he’s well-meaning, he’s also a radical thinker, and this not only makes him an outcast, it leads him to being an outlaw. Even Tip - a human who he meets along the way - finds him pretty annoying at first. But Oh’s endearing - albeit somewhat annoying - qualities eventually win Tip and the other Boov over. The Boov learn to live a little, and Tip and Oh form an unlikely bond that spans light years.