Credit: DreamWorksDreamWorks has made a major update to its release schedule, spelling bad news for Shrek fans.
It’s been well over two decades since everyone’s favorite ogre first hit the big screen, but the hype around the Shrek franchise shows no signs of fading.
With four movies under its belt – the most recent of which, Shrek Forever After (2010), hit theaters in 2010 – there’s still a cult-like fervor around Shrek and co., especially since the release of its latest spinoff, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022).
Just like most beloved animation franchises, Shrek has inspired its fair share of attractions over the years.
That includes Shrek 4-D at Universal Studios (even if Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Florida have axed their versions of the show, and Universal Studios Japan’s version seems to spend more time closed than open), a land at Dubai theme park Motiongate, and several features in the DreamWorks Land at Universal Studios Florida.
There’s even a standalone walkthrough attraction in the heart of London known as Shrek’s Adventure.
With all that in mind, it feels unusual that it’s taken so long for DreamWorks to return the ogre to his rightful place on the big screen. While there were initial plans to extend the franchise to five films, former DreamWorks CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg decided to wrap things up with the fourth installment.
In 2024, however, Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri confirmed that the plans for Shrek 5 were back on, with Mike Myers (Shrek), Cameron Diaz (Princess Fiona), and Eddie Murphy (Donkey) later announced as returning to the franchise.
Earlier this year, we saw our first teaser for the film – one that divided the Shrek fandom as the ogre (who was accompanied by the likes of Fiona, Donkey, and Pinocchio) debuted a significantly different aesthetic compared to previous films. An actor voicing Donkey at Universal Orlando Resort also poked fun at the new character designs, claiming, “I look rough.”
@epicfamilyquests Donkey is not happy with the new Shrek trailer 🤣🤣⠀ ⠀ What are your thoughts on the new trailer??⠀ ⠀ Full meet coming to YT. We talked about dragons too. ⠀ ⠀ #shrek #shrek5 #dreamworks #dreamworksanimation #dreamworksland #universalorlando
With Zendaya confirmed to voice one of Shrek’s children, Felicia, some shared doubts that the fifth film could ever compare to its predecessors (especially the cinematic masterpiece that is Shrek 2).
However, it seems like we’ll have to wait a little bit longer to find out for ourselves.
‘Shrek 5’ Release Postponed
DreamWorks – or, to be more accurate, Universal – has officially delayed the release of Shrek 5 from December 23, 2026, to June 30, 2027.
This is the second time Shrek 5 has been delayed. It was originally slated to release in the summer of 2026. Universal didn’t give a reason for its delay, but considering that the rivals for a winter 2026 release slot include Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Ice Age 6 (2026), we’re not totally surprised.
The film now competes with the long-awaited Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse (2027) – which has faced its own share of delays, with an original release date of March 2024 – and an unnamed DC Studios film.
It will also follow the live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014), confirmed earlier this year in the wake of the first live-action film’s success at the box office. How to Train Your Dragon is, notably, also a DreamWorks franchise.
Are you excited for Shrek 5?