Although How to Train Your Dragon 2 ended up grossing more than its predecessor internationally, the sequel failed to light the domestic box office on fire last summer. Unfortunately for DreamWorks, it was just the latest in a string of box office disappointments for the studio that also includes Rise of the Guardians, Turbo, Mr. Peabody & Sherman and Penguins of Madagascar. After stepping up their production cycle to three animated films per year, they failed to deliver enough hits to sustain them all. Sadly, this has forced DreamWorks to shut down one of their studios, layoff over 500 people and reshuffle their release schedule. Their upcoming slate of animated films now looks like this:

• Home — March 27, 2015
• Kung Fu Panda 3 — March 18, 2016
• Trolls — November 4, 2016
• Boss Baby — January 13, 2017
• The Croods 2 — December 22, 2017
• Larrikins — February 16, 2018
• How to Train Your Dragon 3 — June 29, 2018

How to Train Your Dragon 3 had previously been scheduled for June 9th, 2017, so it has now been pushed back a year. Some other films have also been temporarily pulled from their schedule including B.O.O.: Bureau of Otherworldly Operations starring Seth Rogen, Melissa McCarthy and Bill Murray.

Jeffrey Katzenberg emphasized they are focusing now on just one or two major blockbusters a year, which is a familiar story in Hollywood these days. They are also looking to reduce budgets by outsourcing in some cases. Either way, it’s becoming clear that not every CG animated family film can be an automatic hit these days (just ask George Lucas). Why do you think so many of these DreamWorks animated films failed?