Joel Crawford is an American film director, storyboard artist and screenwriter. He is best known for his work at DreamWorks Animation, including directing The Croods: A New Age (2020), Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022), and Forgotten Island (2026). He received an Academy Award nomination for Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.
Career In 2006, Joel Crawford joined DreamWorks Animation, where he served as a story artist on Bee Movie (2007), the Kung Fu Panda trilogy (2008–16), Shrek Forever After (2010), and Rise of the Guardians (2012). In October 2017, Crawford signed on to direct The Croods: A New Age (2020), replacing both Kirk DeMicco and Chris Sanders as director. In November 2017, Crawford directed Trolls Holiday, a half-hour Christmas-themed spinoff of Trolls (2016). In March 2021, Crawford replaced Bob Persichetti as director of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022).
On June 3, 2023, Crawford received an honorary degree from the Savannah College of Art and Design for his contributions to animation. In April 2025, he signed on to write and direct Forgotten Island (2026) for DreamWorks Animation, alongside his longtime best friend Januel Mercado. Their friendship is a major inspiration for the movie's story.
Filmography YearTitleCredited asNotes Director Story artist Writer Actor Other 2007 Bee Movie 2008 Kung Fu Panda 2010 Shrek Forever After 2011 Kung Fu Panda 2 2012 Rise of the Guardians 2015 The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water 2016 Kung Fu Panda 3 Trolls Head of story 2017 Trolls Holiday TV special 2019 The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part Trouble Special thanks 2020 The Croods: A New Age Role: Guy's Dad 2022 Puss in Boots: The Last Wish Role: Baker's Dozen Member, Band Player 2023 Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken Creative leadership: DreamWorks AnimationSpecial thanks Trolls Band Together Special thanks 2024 Kung Fu Panda 4 Special thanks The Wild Robot Special thanks 2026 Forgotten Island Role: Doctor, Crimson Cow, Additional voices
Accolades Award Date of ceremony Category Film Result Golden Globe AwardsFebruary 28, 2021Best Animated Feature Film The Croods: A New AgeVisual Effects Society AwardsApril 6, 2021Outstanding Visual Effects in an Animated FeatureGolden Globe AwardsJanuary 10, 2023Best Animated Feature Film Puss in Boots: The Last WishBritish Academy Film AwardsFebruary 19, 2023Best Animated FilmAcademy AwardsMarch 12, 2023Best Animated Feature
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