Ranking ‘Kung Fu Panda’

Over the course of 4 installments, ‘Kung Fu Panda’ has become an icon in the world of animation. The adventurous journey of the panda Po on the big screen has deeply ingrained itself in the minds of many audiences.

For the past 16 years, the Kung Fu Panda film series has left a significant mark on the big screen and in the hearts of global audiences. Few know that the DreamWorks team initially intended it to be a “parody comedy” project, but Stevenson insisted on maintaining the true spirit of martial arts. The main character, Po, represents breaking the stereotype of martial artists on screen. A master of kung fu doesn’t need six-pack abs or a slender figure; instead, they can be big, food-loving, yet still outstanding.

The first installment of Kung Fu Panda premiered in 2008, quickly creating a global sensation. The film initially premiered at the Cannes Film Festival before sweeping theaters with massive success. Specifically, DreamWorks’ project earned $631.7 million, nearly five times the production budget ($130 million). Kung Fu Panda also became the highest-grossing animated film of 2008, helping the studio reclaim its peak position after Shrek.

In 2011, Kung Fu Panda 2 was released, three years after the resounding success of the first installment. This was also the highest-grossing installment in the series, earning $665.7 million. Meanwhile, the film’s production budget reportedly hovered around $150 million. Following the footsteps of the panda Po after defeating Tai Lung to become the Dragon Warrior, the film follows his journey to protect the Valley of Peace alongside his martial arts brothers and sisters. This time, his adversary is Shen, a white peacock determined to rule ancient China.

Kung Fu Panda 3 premiered in 2016. The film was initially released with special screenings in the Chinese market before its official global release. With $521 million in earnings, Kung Fu Panda 3 became the second-highest-grossing January release of all time. The film also received critical acclaim, with an 87% “certified fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes, matching the first installment. In this installment, Po must confront Kai, a vengeful yak returning to the mortal realm with the determination to destroy the skilled kung fu panda.

A decade after the success of the third installment, Kung Fu Panda 4 was finally released by DreamWorks. Directed by Mike Mitchell, the film focuses on a new chapter in Po’s life. He is entrusted by Master Shifu with the responsibility of leading the spiritual essence of the Valley of Peace, along with the task of finding a successor to the title of Dragon Warrior. In this installment, Po must confront the villainous Chameleon, a crafty chameleon with the ability to disguise as anyone.

Compared to its predecessors, the plot of Kung Fu Panda 4 is somewhat lighter. The story of the characters is not overly impressive, and the depth of their psychology is only vaguely explored. Therefore, the film’s story is quite simple, predictable, and lacks surprises. However, Kung Fu Panda 4 still captivates audiences with charming humor, satisfying visuals, and music. Through Po’s journey, the film delicately conveys humane messages. Upon its release in Vietnam, Kung Fu Panda 4 became the highest-preordered animated film in history.