‘Shrek 5’ Just Got Delayed – Here’s Why It Makes Perfect Sense

The release date for Shrek 5 has been moved from December 23, 2026, to June 30, 2027. This change means the movie will avoid competing with other big films coming out during the busy holiday season, like Avengers: Doomsday, Dune: Part III, and Ice Age 6, all scheduled for December 18, 2026.

Universal also shifted an untitled Illumination movie from the original Shrek 5 date to April 16, 2027. Both Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation are working on Shrek 5, which will be the first main Shrek film since Shrek Forever After in 2010. The Shrek universe has also expanded with two Puss in Boots spinoff movies featuring Antonio Banderas.

Zendaya is joining the cast as Shrek’s daughter, while the original stars Mike Myers (Shrek), Eddie Murphy (Donkey), and Cameron Diaz (Fiona) are returning to their roles. The movie is directed by Walt Dohrn and Conrad Vernon, with Brad Ableson, who co-directed Minions: The Rise of Gru, also involved.

The Shrek films are based on William Steig’s 1990 book Shrek!. The franchise began with the 2001 animated film, which won an Oscar and told the story of an ogre named Shrek who falls in love with Princess Fiona, who is cursed to live as an ogre. Donkey, Shrek’s loyal and funny sidekick, adds heart and humor to the story, which was praised for its clever take on fairy tales.

Far, Far Away's finest are coming. pic.twitter.com/7qn8FNIBT6

— Shrek (@Shrek) February 27, 2025

Shrek 5 is the fifth main film and the seventh movie overall in the Shrek series. The screenplay is by Michael McCullers, and producers include Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri and Gina Shay.

Originally, a fifth Shrek film was planned after Shrek 2 in 2004, with hopes to release it in 2013. But when former DreamWorks CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg decided to end the series with the fourth film, Shrek Forever After became the last movie. In 2016, after NBCUniversal bought DreamWorks Animation, Universal announced plans to develop Shrek 5. Updates continued until February 2025, when the film was officially announced with a teaser trailer.

Shrek 5 is now set to hit theaters in the United States on June 30, 2027.

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