‘Shrek 5' Set for 2026 with Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz Returning
Universal and DreamWorks Animation have officially announced the return of the beloved Shrek franchise. Shrek 5 is set to hit theaters on July 1, 2026, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the original film. Fans can look forward to the return of stars Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz, reprising their iconic roles.
The long-awaited feature has been in development for some time and will be released 16 years after the last installment, Shrek Forever After, which premiered in 2010 and grossed $752.6 million worldwide.
Walt Dohrn, who contributed as a writer on the second and third films and served as head of story for the fourth, will direct Shrek 5. He will be joined by co-director Brad Ableson, known for his work on Minions: The Rise of Gru. The film will be produced by Shrek Forever After producer Gina Shay and Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri.
The Shrek franchise began under Jeffrey Katzenberg's leadership with the 2001 film, praised for its unique animation style and its playful take on fairy-tale tropes. The story centers on Shrek (Myers), an ogre who falls in love with Fiona (Diaz), a princess cursed to live as an ogre. Donkey (Murphy) adds comic relief and friendship to Shrek's journey. The original film grossed $492.2 million globally, won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, and helped popularize the band Smash Mouth.
Based on William Steig's book, the Shrek series has been a massive success for DreamWorks. The franchise, which includes two Puss in Boots spinoffs, is the second-highest-grossing animated series of all time, earning $2.9 billion worldwide. It has also inspired a touring show and a Broadway musical.
In 2022, the sequel Puss in Boots: The Last Wish surpassed expectations, earning $481.5 million at the global box office, marking a significant win for DreamWorks Animation in the post-Katzenberg era (NBCUniversal acquired DreamWorks for $3.8 billion in 2016).
The announcement of Shrek 5 comes amid a resurgence in the family box office post-pandemic. Universal and Illumination's Despicable Me 4 has seen impressive success this summer, while Disney and Pixar's Inside Out 2 is already one of the highest-grossing animated films of all time.
