Pixar vs DreamWorks

Animated films are a billion-dollar industry.  The two biggest producers of animated films are DreamWorks and Pixar.  The two have been going head-to-head for more than ten years now. So how do they stack up to each other? Which company is making more money on their films? Which company makes better films?

In this updated activity, students analyse a large real-world dataset in Excel/google sheets to compare profits, ratings, and more. Depending on grade level, students might compare the two companies using box plots or bar graphs (this is a great opportunity to get into box plots). For example, middle and high school students can use box plots to compare movie ratings, box office profits, or gross earnings, and present a full statistical argument. 

Consider starting this activity with a few of these Pixar movie trailers & Dreamworks movie trailers. 

💻Students will need a laptop to sort and analyze the data
📝Suitable for middle to high school; see the solutions to adapt the activity for your grade level.
⏰ Min. 1 hour
 

This activity has been updated in 2026 to include the latest box office data from both studios.