‘Shrek’ Spinoff ‘Donkey’ Gets Release Date, Eddie Murphy’s Beloved Character Returns to the Big Screen

The world of Shrek is getting bigger once again, and this time one of its funniest characters is finally getting his own movie. Universal and DreamWorks Animation have announced that Donkey, a spinoff focused on Shrek’s famous talking sidekick, will arrive in theaters on June 30, 2028.

Eddie Murphy will return to voice Donkey, the character he has played since the first Shrek movie was released in 2000. The upcoming film will explore Donkey’s early story and reveal how the lovable character became the loud, funny, and loyal friend fans know today.

The news was announced as DreamWorks continues to expand the Shrek universe with new projects. After years of supporting Shrek and appearing in several movies, Donkey will finally step into the main role for his own adventure.

Donkey will be directed by Charlie Bean, who previously worked on The Lego Batman Movie and the live-action Lady and the Tramp. The movie will be produced by Rebecca Huntley, known for her work on Kung Fu Panda 4 and The Bad Guys. Matt Flynn will serve as co-director. Flynn has worked as a story artist on several DreamWorks projects, including The Wild Robot, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, and The Bad Guys 2.

The new movie is expected to continue the humor and fantasy style that made the Shrek franchise popular around the world. While details about the story are still limited, the film will focus on Donkey’s journey before he met Shrek and became part of the group in Far, Far Away.

Before Donkey arrives, fans will first return to the main franchise with Shrek 5, which is scheduled to hit theaters in summer 2027. Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz are all returning as Shrek, Donkey, and Fiona. Zendaya is also joining the cast for the next chapter.

Shrek 5 will be directed by Conrad Vernon and Walt Dohrn, who both have connections to the franchise. The movie will continue the story of the characters who helped turn the original Shrek into one of the biggest animated franchises in history.

The first Shrek movie changed animated films when it was released in 2000. The movie gave a new twist to classic fairy tales by following an ogre who wanted a quiet life but became involved in a much bigger adventure. It became a worldwide hit, earning nearly $500 million at the box office and winning the first-ever Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

The success of Shrek led to three direct sequels, including Shrek 2 in 2004, Shrek the Third in 2007, and Shrek Forever After in 2010. The franchise also expanded with the Puss in Boots movies, which followed another popular character from the Shrek world.

With Shrek 5 and Donkey now on the way, DreamWorks is bringing back some of its most recognizable characters for a new generation of fans. While audiences will have to wait several years to see Donkey’s solo adventure, Eddie Murphy’s return suggests that the character’s famous humor will remain a major part of the movie.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!