Essential Information You Should Know

Get ready for another adventure in the swamp because Shrek is officially coming back! After over a decade since the last Shrek film, Universal and DreamWorks Animation have finally set a release date for the highly anticipated fifth installment in the beloved animated franchise. Read on to discover everything we know so far about Shrek 5.

On July 9th, 2024, Universal and DreamWorks Animation announced that Shrek 5 will hit theaters on July 1st, 2026. The movie, which has long been in development, will arrive in cinemas 16 years after the 2010 release of the franchise’s previous entry, Shrek Forever After.

In the sequel, Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz are confirmed to reprise their voice roles as Shrek, Donkey, and Princess Fiona, respectively. Additional cast members are expected to be announced at a later date.

Not too Far, Far Away… Shrek 5 is coming to theaters on July 1, 2026 with Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz.

Shrek 5 will be co-directed by Walt Dohrn and Brad Ableson. Dohrn worked as a writer on the second and third Shrek movies, and as head of story on the fourth installment. Ableson, meanwhile, is known as the director of Minions: The Rise of Gru.

Shrek Forever After producer Gina Shay and Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri are producing Shrek 5.

There is currently no official information about the plot of Shrek 5 but since Shrek 4 showed Shrek and Fiona having triplets, there have been some speculations that the next installment would focus on the lives of their children and their adventures. Rumor also has it that the movie will introduce a new threat to Far Far Away that will disrupt the peace Shrek and Fiona have established.

A scene from Shrek Forever After

Loosely based on the 1990 picture book Shrek! by William Steig, the Shrek franchise started under the helm of Jeffrey Katzenberg with the original 2001 film praised for its animation style, subversion of classic fairy tale tropes, and a healthy dose of humor.

The media franchise revolves around the titular character Shrek, a grumpy but good-hearted ogre who simply wants to live peacefully in his swamp. Shrek’s life suddenly changes when he falls for Fiona, the princess of Far Far Away who has been cursed and trapped in an ogre’s body. The main characters also include Donkey, who provides comic relief, pathos, and friendship to Shrek.

The original Shrek movie earned a staggering $492.2 million (not adjusted for inflation) at the global box office and even won the Oscar for best animated feature. The first Shrek movie was followed by three sequels: 2004’s Shrek 2, 2007’s Shrek the Third, and the abovementioned Shrek Forever After.

The Shrek franchise also spawned two Puss in Boots spinoffs, which opened in theaters in 2011 and 2022, respectively. All the Shrek movies, including the two Puss in Boots spinoffs, are collectively the second-biggest animated franchise of all time at the box office, grossing $2.9 billion globally.

In addition to the Puss in Boots spinoffs, the Shrek franchise has also spawned a touring show and a Broadway musical.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter