Editing DreamWorks Animation (section)

=== Universal Pictures era (2016–present) ===
On April 28, 2016, [[Comcast]] officially announced that its [[NBCUniversal]] division intended on acquiring DreamWorks Animation for $3.8 billion, valuing the company at $41 per share.<ref name="Film Industry Network">{{cite news |title=COMCAST CONFIRMS IT WILL BUY DREAMWORKS ANIMATION |url=https://filmindustry.network/comcast-confirms-will-buy-dreamworks-animation/30974 |publisher=Film Industry Network |date=April 28, 2016 |access-date=June 30, 2019 |archive-date=March 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303144750/https://filmindustry.network/comcast-confirms-will-buy-dreamworks-animation/30974 |url-status=live }}</ref> Jeffrey Katzenberg was to remain involved in the company as head of DreamWorks New Media, but was to cede control of the studio to [[Illumination (company)|Illumination]]'s CEO [[Chris Meledandri]], who would oversee both.<ref name="lat-comcastbuy">{{cite web |title=Comcast's NBCUniversal buys DreamWorks Animation in $3.8-billion deal |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-nbcuniversal-buys-dreamworks--20160428-story.html |first=Meg |last=James |date=April 28, 2016 |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=April 28, 2016 |archive-date=June 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615004957/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-nbcuniversal-buys-dreamworks--20160428-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The sale was approved by board members, but subject to regulatory approval.<ref name="wp-nbcdwa">{{cite news|title=Comcast is buying Dreamworks in a $3.8 billion acquisition|first=Brian|last=Fung|date=April 28, 2016|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2016/04/28/comcast-is-buying-dreamworks-in-a-3-8-billion-acquisition/|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=May 1, 2016|archive-date=April 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429134321/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2016/04/28/comcast-is-buying-dreamworks-in-a-3-8-billion-acquisition/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=How A DreamWorks-Illumination Combo Beats Disney At The B.O.|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|url=https://deadline.com/2016/04/dreamworks-animation-illumination-entertainment-box-office-disney-1201746534/|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=April 29, 2016|access-date=May 2, 2016|archive-date=May 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502095403/http://deadline.com/2016/04/dreamworks-animation-illumination-entertainment-box-office-disney-1201746534/|url-status=live}}</ref>  At Guggenheim Partners' TMT Symposium, NBCUniversal CEO [[Steve Burke (businessman)|Steve Burke]] discussed how the purchase of DWA would fit into its business strategies. Burke explained that Meledandri planned to "take a lot of the existing DreamWorks franchises and add value as we create new franchises", and that the main goal was to "[take] the low-single-digit returns of the movie business and turn it into a different kind of business" by creating new [[intellectual property]] that can be merchandised and adapted into theme park attractions. Burke reaffirmed a commitment to animated features, stating that [[Universal Pictures]] would be able to release as many as four animated films per-year, divided between DreamWorks and Illumination. Burke also outlined that the purchase would be beneficial to Universal's expanding presence in China (where it was building a new [[Universal Studios Beijing|Universal Studios park]] in Beijing).<ref>{{cite web|title=NBCUniversal Execs Reassure DreamWorks Animation Staffers They Are Committed to More Animated Features|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nbcuniversal-execs-reassure-dreamworks-animation-890873|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=May 4, 2016|access-date=May 5, 2016|archive-date=May 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505025703/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nbcuniversal-execs-reassure-dreamworks-animation-890873|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=NBCU Chief Looks To Revive 'Shrek' And Sales From DreamWorks Animation Deal|url=https://deadline.com/2016/06/steve-burke-nbcuniversal-revive-shrek-sales-dreamworks-animation-deal-1201772640/|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=June 14, 2016|access-date=June 15, 2016|archive-date=April 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200423131423/https://deadline.com/2016/06/steve-burke-nbcuniversal-revive-shrek-sales-dreamworks-animation-deal-1201772640/|url-status=live}}</ref> On June 21, the acquisition was approved by the [[United States Department of Justice]].<ref name="deadline-dojapprove">{{cite web|title=Antitrust Officials Clear Comcast's $3.8B DreamWorks Animation Acquisition|url=https://deadline.com/2016/06/justice-department-clears-comcast-acquisition-dreamworks-animation-1201776808/|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=June 21, 2016|access-date=June 23, 2016|archive-date=June 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160622132756/http://deadline.com/2016/06/justice-department-clears-comcast-acquisition-dreamworks-animation-1201776808/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Julia|last=Boorstin|title=NBCUniversal's Ron Meyer: Here's why we bought Dreamworks Animation|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2016/07/07/nbcuniversals-ron-meyer-heres-why-we-bought-dreamworks-animation.html|work=CNBC|date=July 7, 2016|access-date=September 9, 2017|archive-date=August 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804060014/https://www.cnbc.com/2016/07/07/nbcuniversals-ron-meyer-heres-why-we-bought-dreamworks-animation.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The purchase was closed on August 22, 2016; the company now operates as a subsidiary of [[Universal Pictures]].<ref name="deadline-completed">{{cite web|title=Comcast Completes Its $3.8B DreamWorks Animation Purchase|url=https://deadline.com/2016/08/comcast-completes-dreamworks-animation-purchase-1201807164/|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=August 22, 2016|access-date=August 23, 2016|archive-date=August 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823100053/http://deadline.com/2016/08/comcast-completes-dreamworks-animation-purchase-1201807164/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="lat-closed">{{cite web|title=Comcast's NBCUniversal completes purchase of DreamWorks Animation|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-comcast-dreamworks-deal-complete-20160822-snap-story.html|website=Los Angeles Times|date=August 23, 2016|access-date=August 23, 2016|archive-date=August 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823165212/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-comcast-dreamworks-deal-complete-20160822-snap-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> DreamWorks Animation's last films distributed by 20th Century Fox were ''[[Trolls (film)|Trolls]]'' (November 2016), ''[[The Boss Baby]]'' (March 2017) and ''[[Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie]]'' (June 2017), and their first film distributed by Universal was ''[[How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World]]'' (2019).<ref name="the-croods2delay">{{cite web|title='Croods 2' Release Delayed Amid DreamWorks Animation Sale|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/croods-2-release-delayed-dreamworks-918493|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=August 9, 2016|access-date=August 23, 2016|archive-date=October 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011161909/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/croods-2-release-delayed-dreamworks-918493|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="wsj-newleadership" />

Although a spokesperson stated that Meledandri would work with [[Universal Pictures]] to determine "the most effective path forward for Illumination and DreamWorks Animation", he did not take over DreamWorks as was previously announced, and the two studios remain separate. Arnold and Soria retained their positions as co-presidents of DreamWorks' Feature Animation division, while Margie Cohn would lead a television animation division for the entire [[Universal Studios, Inc.|Universal Studios group]]. DreamWorks' digital, marketing, consumer products, and gaming divisions were absorbed into NBCUniversal.<ref name="wsj-newleadership">{{cite news|title=NBCUniversal Unveils New Leadership Structure at DreamWorks|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/nbcuniversal-unveils-new-leadership-structure-at-dreamworks-1471981256|website=Wall Street Journal|date=August 23, 2016|access-date=August 24, 2016|last1=Schwartzel|first1=Erich|archive-date=October 6, 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171006221352/https://www.wsj.com/articles/nbcuniversal-unveils-new-leadership-structure-at-dreamworks-1471981256|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=August 23, 2016|first=Mia|last=Galuppo|title=NBCUniversal Unveils New DreamWorks Annimation Senior Management|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nbcuniversal-unveils-new-dreamworks-annimation-922057|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=September 3, 2016|archive-date=August 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827094502/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nbcuniversal-unveils-new-dreamworks-annimation-922057|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Chinese Government Probing Comcast's DreamWorks Acquisition|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/features/chinese-government-probing-comcasts-dreamworks-acquisition/|website=Animation Magazine|date=September 2, 2016|access-date=September 3, 2016|archive-date=September 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160904160614/http://www.animationmagazine.net/features/chinese-government-probing-comcasts-dreamworks-acquisition/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=NBCU Drops the Axe on 200 DreamWorks Jobs|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/features/nbcu-drops-the-axe-on-200-dreamworks-jobs/|website=Animation Magazine|date=September 15, 2016|access-date=September 16, 2016|archive-date=September 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160916132315/http://www.animationmagazine.net/features/nbcu-drops-the-axe-on-200-dreamworks-jobs/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=DreamWorks Layoffs Hit Glendale with 170 to Go|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/people/dreamworks-layoffs-hit-glendale-with-170-to-go/|website=Animation Magazine|date=December 2, 2016|access-date=December 2, 2016|archive-date=December 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161203011106/http://www.animationmagazine.net/people/dreamworks-layoffs-hit-glendale-with-170-to-go/|url-status=live}}</ref>  On December 21, 2016, Soria stepped down from her position as co-president of DreamWorks' Feature Animation division.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/mireille-soria-exits-dreamworks-animation-1201947222/|title=Mireille Soria Steps Down as DreamWorks Animation Co-President (EXCLUSIVE)|work=Variety|date=December 21, 2016|access-date=December 22, 2016|archive-date=December 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222152324/http://variety.com/2016/film/news/mireille-soria-exits-dreamworks-animation-1201947222/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/dreamworks-animation-co-president-mireille-soria-steps/|title=DreamWorks Animation Co-President Mireille Soria Steps Down|work=The Wrap|date=December 21, 2016|access-date=December 22, 2016|archive-date=December 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222045736/http://www.thewrap.com/dreamworks-animation-co-president-mireille-soria-steps/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cartoonbrew.com/studios/breaking-mireille-soria-dreamworks-animations-co-president-146837.html|title=Breaking: Mireille Soria Out As Dreamworks Animation's Co-President|website=Cartoon Brew|date=December 22, 2016|access-date=December 22, 2016|archive-date=December 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222153659/http://www.cartoonbrew.com/studios/breaking-mireille-soria-dreamworks-animations-co-president-146837.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In January 2017, [[Christopher DeFaria]] joined DreamWorks Animation in the newly created position of president of the DreamWorks Feature Animation Group.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/dreamworks-animation-finds-new-ceo-warner-bros-veteran-963186|title=DreamWorks Animation Finds New Chief in Warner Bros. Veteran (Exclusive)|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=January 12, 2017|archive-date=January 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170112012812/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/dreamworks-animation-finds-new-ceo-warner-bros-veteran-963186|url-status=live}}</ref> As president, DeFaria oversaw all aspects of DWA's feature animation business, including slate strategy, development, production; innovation and technology; and business affairs.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://kidscreen.com/2017/01/26/dreamworks-acquisition-boosts-comcasts-q4-results/|title=DreamWorks acquisition boosts Comcast's Q4 results|website=Kidscreen|access-date=January 27, 2017|archive-date=January 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170127092129/http://kidscreen.com/2017/01/26/dreamworks-acquisition-boosts-comcasts-q4-results/|url-status=live}}</ref>  On August 1, it was announced that DreamWorks Animation and [[Blumhouse Productions]] would be working on Blumhouse's first animated film, ''Spooky Jack''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/08/spooky-jack-dreamworks-animation-blumhouse-animated-scary-film-robert-ben-garant-1202140279/|title=DreamWorks Animation, Blumhouse Team For Animated Pic 'Spooky Jack'|last=Fleming|first=Mike Jr.|date=August 1, 2017|website=Deadline|access-date=February 19, 2020|archive-date=August 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802004307/https://deadline.com/2017/08/spooky-jack-dreamworks-animation-blumhouse-animated-scary-film-robert-ben-garant-1202140279/|url-status=live}}</ref> The film was initially set to be released on September 17, 2021, but was removed from the release schedule as ''[[The Bad Guys (film)|The Bad Guys]]'' (2022) took over its release date.<ref name="bloody-disgusting.com">{{cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3460035/blumhouse-animated-film-spooky-jack-gets-distant-release-date/|title=Blumhouse Animated Film 'Spooky Jack' Gets Distant Release Date - Bloody Disgusting|website=bloody-disgusting.com|date=September 19, 2017|access-date=February 19, 2020|archive-date=September 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170919234659/https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3460035/blumhouse-animated-film-spooky-jack-gets-distant-release-date/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|date=October 7, 2019|title=DreamWorks Animation & Universal To Release 'Spirit Riding Free' & 'The Bad Guys' In 2021|url=https://deadline.com/2019/10/dreamworks-animation-2021-releases-spirit-riding-free-the-bad-guys-1202753767/|access-date=June 26, 2021|website=Deadline|language=en-US|archive-date=December 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205053635/https://deadline.com/2019/10/dreamworks-animation-2021-releases-spirit-riding-free-the-bad-guys-1202753767/|url-status=live}}</ref> On October 6, it was announced that Abhijay Prakash would be COO of DWA.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/10/dreamworks-animation-abhijay-prakash-coo-focus-features-1202183566/|title=Focus Features Chief Abhijay Prakash Will Join DreamWorks Animation As COO|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|date=October 6, 2017|website=Deadline|access-date=February 19, 2020|archive-date=February 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202213850/https://deadline.com/2017/10/dreamworks-animation-abhijay-prakash-coo-focus-features-1202183566/|url-status=live}}</ref> He was later promoted to president of the Universal Filmed Entertainment Group in February 2019 following the release of ''How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World'',<ref name="UFEGLineup">{{cite news |last1=Hipes |first1=Patrick |title=Universal Solidifies Film Execs Under New Chairman Donna Langley |url=https://deadline.com/2019/01/universal-film-group-executives-donna-langley-promotions-1202546806/ |access-date=July 10, 2019 |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=January 31, 2019 |language=en |archive-date=July 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711025431/https://deadline.com/2019/01/universal-film-group-executives-donna-langley-promotions-1202546806/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and DreamWorks Animation subsequently hired former [[Sony Pictures Imageworks]] head Randy Lake as the new chief operating officer of the company three months later.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Vlessing |first1=Etan |title=Randy Lake Named COO of DreamWorks Animation |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/randy-lake-named-coo-dreamworks-animation-1210974 |access-date=May 15, 2019 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=May 15, 2019 |language=en |archive-date=May 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515221242/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/randy-lake-named-coo-dreamworks-animation-1210974 |url-status=live }}</ref> On November 13, 2017, it was announced that DreamWorks Animation had started a shorts program, called DreamWorks Shorts, which would show original animated short films before DWA's feature films, much akin to what [[Pixar]] and [[Walt Disney Animation Studios]] do for their feature films. The first short film to be produced under the program was ''[[Bird Karma]]'', which premiered in Spring 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/1202613777-1202613777/|title=DreamWorks Animation Launches Shorts Program With 'Bird Karma'|work=Variety|last1=Horst|first1=Carole|date=November 13, 2017|access-date=November 15, 2017|archive-date=November 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114020658/http://variety.com/2017/film/news/1202613777-1202613777/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On February 2, 2018, CMC Capital Partners bought DreamWorks', Shanghai Media Group's, and Shanghai Alliance Investment's stakes in Oriental DreamWorks, owning the studio in its entirety; Oriental DreamWorks was later renamed to [[Pearl Studio]]. Pearl Studio collaborated with DreamWorks to produce ''[[Abominable (2019 film)|Abominable]]'' (2019), with the film's original director, Jill Culton, returning.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cartoonbrew.com/business/oriental-dreamworks-relaunches-100-chinese-owned-pearl-studio-156372.html|title=Oriental Dreamworks Relaunches As 100% Chinese-Owned Pearl Studio|last1=Amidi|first1=Amid |author-link=Amid Amidi|website=Cartoon Brew|date=February 2, 2018|access-date=February 2, 2018|archive-date=February 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203000222/http://www.cartoonbrew.com/business/oriental-dreamworks-relaunches-100-chinese-owned-pearl-studio-156372.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On February 27, DreamWorks Animation announced that Kelly Betz has been promoted as Chief Financial Officer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/02/dreamworks-animation-kelly-betz-cfo-promotion-1202304902/|title=DWA Elevates Kelly Betz To CFO|first=Patrick|last=Hipes|date=February 27, 2018|website=Deadline|access-date=February 19, 2020|archive-date=February 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220201316/https://deadline.com/2018/02/dreamworks-animation-kelly-betz-cfo-promotion-1202304902/|url-status=live}}</ref> On May 2, [[Hulu]] announced its first license deal with DreamWorks Animation, becoming the exclusive streaming home for future DWA feature films, as well as library films. DWA had streamed exclusively through Netflix since 2013.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Gruenwedel|first1=Erik|title=Hulu Tops 20 Million Subs, Inks First Deal with DreamWorks Animation|url=https://www.mediaplaynews.com/hulu-tops-20-million-subs-inks-first-deal-with-dreamworks-animation/|access-date=May 2, 2018|work=Media Play News|date=May 2, 2018|archive-date=May 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503041617/https://www.mediaplaynews.com/hulu-tops-20-million-subs-inks-first-deal-with-dreamworks-animation/|url-status=live}}</ref> On July 25, 2018, [[Paramount Media Networks|Viacom Media Networks]] announced that it was in talks to acquire AwesomenessTV for a fraction of the company's $650 million valuation in 2016.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Spangler|first1=Todd|title=Viacom in Talks to Buy AwesomenessTV|url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/viacom-acquiring-awesomenesstv-1202883852/|access-date=July 27, 2018|work=Variety|date=July 25, 2018|archive-date=July 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726111511/https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/viacom-acquiring-awesomenesstv-1202883852/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Hayes|first1=Dade|title=Viacom In Talks To Acquire AwesomenessTV At Attractive Discount|url=https://deadline.com/2018/07/viacom-in-talks-to-acquire-awesomenesstv-at-attractive-discount-1202433160/|access-date=July 27, 2018|work=Deadline|date=July 25, 2018|archive-date=July 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728035718/https://deadline.com/2018/07/viacom-in-talks-to-acquire-awesomenesstv-at-attractive-discount-1202433160/|url-status=live}}</ref> Two days later on July 27, 2018, Viacom officially acquired AwesomenessTV for $25–50 million and integrated the company into Viacom Digital Studios. [[Jordan Levin]] left his position as CEO following the acquisition.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Spangler|first1=Todd|title=Viacom Acquires AwesomenessTV; CEO Jordan Levin to Depart|url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/viacom-acquires-awesomenesstv-jordan-levin-exit-1202888377/|access-date=July 27, 2018|work=Variety|date=July 27, 2018|archive-date=July 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727202339/https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/viacom-acquires-awesomenesstv-jordan-levin-exit-1202888377/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Chmielewski|first1=Dawn|title=Viacom Acquires AwesomenessTV; CEO Jordan Levin To Depart|url=https://deadline.com/2018/07/viacom-acquires-awesomenesstv-ceo-jordan-levin-departs-1202435179/|access-date=July 27, 2018|work=Deadline|date=July 27, 2018|archive-date=July 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727213132/https://deadline.com/2018/07/viacom-acquires-awesomenesstv-ceo-jordan-levin-departs-1202435179/|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the deal does not include the DreamWorksTV YouTube channel, which is still retained by NBCUniversal, where it was integrated into NBCU Digital Enterprises Group, a new digital entertainment division led by President Maggie Suniewick.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/viacom-awesomenesstv-deal-value-dreamworkstv-nbcu-1202889801/|title=Viacom's AwesomenessTV Deal Worth More Than $50 Million: Sources|date=July 30, 2018|access-date=August 10, 2018|archive-date=August 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819060731/https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/viacom-awesomenesstv-deal-value-dreamworkstv-nbcu-1202889801/|url-status=live}}</ref> On July 30, 2018, ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' reported that the deal is worth at least $50 million.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Spangler |first1=Todd |title=Viacom's AwesomenessTV Deal Worth More Than $50 Million: Sources |url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/viacom-awesomenesstv-deal-value-dreamworkstv-nbcu-1202889801/ |website=Variety |date=July 30, 2018 |access-date=July 30, 2018 |archive-date=August 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819060731/https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/viacom-awesomenesstv-deal-value-dreamworkstv-nbcu-1202889801/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On November 6, 2018, it was announced that Meledandri would be helping Universal and DreamWorks to revive the [[Shrek (franchise)|''Shrek'' franchise]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/shrek-puss-in-boots-reboot-1203020785/|title='Shrek,' 'Puss in Boots' Getting Rebooted (EXCLUSIVE)|last=Lang|first=Brett|date=November 6, 2018|work=Variety|access-date=November 6, 2018|archive-date=November 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106210745/https://variety.com/2018/film/news/shrek-puss-in-boots-reboot-1203020785/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Lang|first=Brent|title=How Chris Meledandri Became the Most Powerful Man in Animation|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/features/chris-meledandri-illumination-minions-the-grinch-1203020068/|work=Variety|access-date=November 6, 2018|date=November 6, 2018|archive-date=November 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181108210137/https://variety.com/2018/film/features/chris-meledandri-illumination-minions-the-grinch-1203020068/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-09-12/in-dismal-summer-despicable-me-3-producer-delivers-1-billion|title=In Dismal Summer, 'Despicable Me 3' Producer Delivers $1 Billion|last1=Palmeri|first1=Christopher|last2=Sakoui|first2=Anousha|website=Bloomberg Businessweek|date=September 12, 2017|access-date=January 29, 2018|archive-date=September 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929135104/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-09-12/in-dismal-summer-despicable-me-3-producer-delivers-1-billion|url-status=live}}</ref> Meledandri intends, however, to retain the original voice actors, as he pointed out they were perhaps the most memorable parts of the series. The first film in this collaboration, ''[[Puss in Boots: The Last Wish]]'', on which Meledandri served as executive producer, was released in December 2022 to universal acclaim and commercial success.<ref>{{cite news |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |title=''Puss In Boots'' Takes Over 'Super Mario' Christmas 2022 Release Date |url=https://deadline.com/2022/04/puss-in-boots-the-last-wish-release-date-1235009625/ |access-date=April 26, 2022 |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |date=April 25, 2022 |archive-date=April 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426012112/https://deadline.com/2022/04/puss-in-boots-the-last-wish-release-date-1235009625/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On January 9, 2019, DeFaria stepped down from his position as president of the company, with [[DreamWorks Animation Television]] head Margie Cohn promoted to oversee all film and television operations.<ref name="DeFariaQuits">{{cite news |last1=D'Alessandro |first1=Anthony |title=Chris deFaria Exiting DreamWorks Animation As President; DWA TV Boss Margie Cohn Takes Over |url=https://deadline.com/2019/01/dreamworks-animation-shakeup-chris-defaria-president-leaving-margie-cohn-promoted-to-head-1202532334/ |access-date=January 9, 2019 |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=January 9, 2019 |language=en |archive-date=January 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110011102/https://deadline.com/2019/01/dreamworks-animation-shakeup-chris-defaria-president-leaving-margie-cohn-promoted-to-head-1202532334/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On January 16, 2020, five new DreamWorks Animation shows were announced for Hulu and NBCUniversal's new video streaming service [[Peacock (streaming service)|Peacock]].<ref name="Pedersen">{{cite web|last=Pedersen|first=Erik|title=Peacock Programming: List Of NBCUniversal Streaming Service's Series, Films, Sports, News & More|url=https://deadline.com/feature/peacock-tv-nbc-universal-streaming-service-1202832718/|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=January 16, 2020|access-date=January 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200117023637/https://deadline.com/feature/peacock-tv-nbc-universal-streaming-service-1202832718/|archive-date=January 17, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> On August 5, 2022, DreamWorks announced plans to release their rendering software [[MoonRay]] as an [[open-source software]] in late 2022.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sarto |first1=Dan |title=DreamWorks Animation to Release MoonRay as Open Source |url=https://www.awn.com/news/dreamworks-animation-release-moonray-open-source |access-date=November 28, 2022 |work=[[Animation World Network]] |date=August 5, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Lang |first1=Jamie |title=Dreamworks' Moonray Rendering Software Is Going Open Source |url=https://www.cartoonbrew.com/tech/dreamworks-moonray-rendering-software-open-source-219507.html |access-date=November 28, 2022 |work=Cartoon Brew |date=August 5, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Milligan |first1=Mercedes |title=DreamWorks Animation to Release MoonRay Renderer as Open Source Software |url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2022/08/dreamworks-animation-to-release-moonray-renderer-as-open-source-software/ |access-date=November 28, 2022 |work=Animation Magazine |date=August 5, 2022}}</ref> It was released on March 15, 2023.<ref>{{cite news |title=DreamWorks Animation Announces the Release of MoonRay as Open Source Software |url=https://openmoonray.org/MoonRay_Open_Source_Launch_Press_Release.pdf |access-date=10 January 2024 |date=March 15, 2023}}</ref>

On October 6, 2023, [[Cartoon Brew]] reported that DreamWorks Animation was moving away from producing films in-house at their Glendale campus to rely more heavily on outside studios after 2024, as part of a layoff by chief operating officer Randy Lake in a series of meetings the previous month; low morale was also reported. According to the report, [[Sony Pictures Imageworks]] was named as the animation service for one of two unannounced films scheduled for 2025, the film being a sequel. The film would use a "mixed production model", in which pre-production would be done in-house at DreamWorks along with approximately 50% of the asset build and one hour of production, while Imageworks will handle the other 50% of asset builds and 20 minutes of shot production.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Amidi |first1=Amid |author-link=Amid Amidi |title=Dreamworks Shifting Away From In-House Production In Los Angeles; Sony Imageworks Is A New Production Partner |url=https://www.cartoonbrew.com/studios/dreamworks-shifting-away-from-in-house-production-in-los-angeles-sony-imageworks-is-new-production-partner-233466.html |website=Cartoon Brew |access-date=8 October 2023 |date=6 October 2023}}</ref> The film was later revealed to be ''[[The Bad Guys 2]]''.

In November 2024, DreamWorks Animation celebrated its 30th anniversary, while it was revealed that the company would venture into live-action filmmaking for the first time with its involvement on the live-action remake of ''[[How to Train Your Dragon (2025 film)|How to Train Your Dragon]]'', set for release in 2025.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://corporate.comcast.com/press/releases/nbcuniversal-celebrates-dreamworks-film-television-theme-parks-products |title=30 Years of DreamWorks Animation: How NBCUniversal Celebrates DreamWorks Across Film, Television, Theme Parks and Products |publisher=Comcast |date=October 16, 2024 |access-date=January 22, 2025}}</ref>