Shrek returns to the big screen really really.
DreamWorks Animation announced Tuesday that a fifth installment of the “Shrek” franchise will hit theaters next summer, just in time for the 25th anniversary of the first “Shrek” film.
“Not far, far away… @Shrek 5 is coming to theaters on July 1, 2026,” the animation studio wrote in a X The announcement also confirmed that Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz will reprise their roles as the franchise's eponymous ogre, his spunky wife Princess Fiona and their sidekick Donkey.
“Shrek 5” will be directed by Walt Dohrn, who served as writer and artist on “Shrek 2” and “Shrek the Third,” and as head of story on “Shrek Forever After.” Variety “Trolls” producer Gina Shay and Illumination founder Chris Meledandri will serve as co-producers, with Brad Ableson serving as co-director. Plot details have not yet been revealed.
The first Shrek film, which was released in 2001, is based on the 1990 picture book of the same name by writer and cartoonist William Steig and tells the story of an ogre who leaves the swamp of his childhood to see the world. The beloved fantasy comedy became the first animated film to win an Oscar and grossed more than $484 million worldwide, according to the New York Times. Box Office Mojo.
In addition to its sequels, “Shrek” also spawned two “Puss in Boots” spin-offs, the most recent of which grossed more than $12 million domestically as of December 2022 (6.7% of its total box office take) and also received an Oscar nomination in the animated feature category. DreamWorks has not confirmed whether Antonio Banderas, who voices the outlaw cat at the center of the “Puss in Boots” films, will return for “Shrek 5.”
Murphy previously leaked the news about a fifth “Shrek” film in a June interview with Collidertelling the outlet that the project was launched “four or five months ago.”
“I shot the first act and we're going to do it this year. We'll finish it,” said Murphy, who also teased that there will be a standalone film for his character, Donkey.
Following DreamWorks' announcement on Tuesday, hordes of “Shrek” devotees expressed their excitement on social media.
“I’m sitting. The theater employees are freaking out and asking me to leave because it’s not July 1, 2026 yet, but I’m just sitting too long,” one user said. answered to the announcement of DreamWorks X.
“It’s always darkest (the 2024 election) before the dawn (Shrek 5 in 2026),” another wrote.
