Antz

Inside a bustling ant city, a neurotic worker named Z seeks more than the grinding routine of colony life. He falls for the unguarded charm of a rebellious princess, and their romance is cut by a dangerous plan that forces him to step outside his comfort zone. When a royal parade becomes a doorway to a life he never imagined, Z ends up taking the place of a soldier under a stern cruel general. The swap catapults him into a world of military discipline and peril, as he finds himself pulled toward a larger fight against a looming termite threat. The film blends quick humor with action and a touch of political parody, letting Z grow beyond his comfort zone.

Antz arrived in 1998 under the direction of Eric Darnell and Tim Johnson. The film stems from an original screenplay by Chris Weitz, Paul Weitz, and Todd Alcott, marking a notable early DreamWorks CGI release that helped redefine animated comedy.

With a budget of 60 million, it grossed roughly 171.8 million worldwide, a strong showing that helped cement DreamWorks Animation as a major CGI player and set the pace for rival releases in the late 1990s and left audiences hungry.

Antz stood out for its sharp humor and satirical edge, balancing adult wit with family friendly visuals. Woody Allen's voice zings the neurotic hero through dialogue that nods to politics and individuality, and the film's visual inventiveness helped push what computer generated animation could achieve on screen at the time.

Critics noted Antz as a breezy, brisk satire with energetic animation and a strong cast, though some reviews felt the tonal mix skewed for younger viewers. The film explores individuality, ambition, and social class within a fast paced, humor driven adventure. Its IMDb rating hovers around 6.174/10 from 4,640 votes.