We’re heading back to the swamp! DreamWorks Animation has officially announced that “Shrek 5” is in development, with a release date set for July 1, 2026. Fans of the beloved franchise will be thrilled to know that original stars Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz are all confirmed to return.
The announcement was made via DreamWorks Animation’s social media channels, with a post reading, “Not too Far, Far Away… @Shrek 5 is coming to theaters on July 1, 2026 with Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz.” This news has already generated significant excitement among fans who have been eagerly awaiting the return of their favorite characters.
While Antonio Banderas’ return as the swashbuckling feline Puss in Boots has not yet been confirmed, the film will be directed by Walt Dohrn. Dohrn has a long history with the franchise, having served as a writer and artist on “Shrek 2” and “Shrek the Third,” and as head of story on “Shrek Forever After,” where he also voiced Rumpelstiltskin. The film will be produced by franchise veteran Gina Shay and Illumination founder Chris Meledandri, with Brad Ableson serving as co-director.
Eddie Murphy hinted at the project in June, revealing that he had already begun voice recording for the film. “We started doing [‘Shrek 5’] months ago,” Murphy told Collider. “I recorded the first act, and we’ll be doing it this year, we’ll finish it up. ‘Shrek’ is coming out and Donkey’s gonna have his own movie. We’re gonna do Donkey as well. So we’re gonna do a ‘Shrek,’ and we’re doing a Donkey [movie].”
The “Shrek” franchise has been a significant success for DreamWorks Animation, releasing four feature films between 2001 and 2010. The original “Shrek” turned DreamWorks into a powerhouse studio with its $487 million worldwide gross and became the first Oscar winner in the animated feature category. “Shrek 2” grossed $928 million, and both films competed for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. While “Shrek the Third” and “Shrek Forever After” earned less acclaim, they still managed to gross $813 million and $752 million worldwide, respectively. The “Puss in Boots” spinoffs were also theatrical hits, grossing $555 million and $484 million, respectively.
In 2018, Universal Pictures tasked Meledandri, the producer behind the “Despicable Me” franchise and “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” with overseeing a revival of the “Shrek” and “Puss in Boots” franchises. Meledandri was adamant about not changing the franchise’s vocal performances, which he credited as being key to the “Shrek” films’ success. “When you look back on those vocal performances they’re awesome, and while you certainly could make a case for a complete reinvention, I find myself responding to my own nostalgic feelings of wanting to go back to those characterizations,” Meledandri said. “The challenge for us has been to find something that really does feel like it’s not simply yet another film in a series of sequels.”
The “Shrek” franchise also includes “Puss in Boots” spinoff titles, the most recent of which, “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,” opened in theaters in December 2022. The film was a box office hit with $484 million worldwide and picked up an Oscar nomination for best animated feature. The success of “The Last Wish” reignited interest in a potential fifth “Shrek” movie, with Donkey voice actor Murphy expressing his enthusiasm in January 2023. “If [DreamWorks] ever came with another ‘Shrek,’ I’d do it in two seconds. I love Donkey. They did ‘Puss in Boots’ movies. I was like, ‘They should have done a Donkey movie.’ Donkey is funnier than Puss in Boots. I mean, I love Puss in Boots, but he ain’t funny as the Donkey.”
Meledandri told Variety in April 2023 that he was “thrilled” when he read Murphy’s comments, adding, “It’s evidence of his strong enthusiasm for a role that he so brilliantly inhabited and really created alongside the artists at DreamWorks. I found that comment to be very exciting.” When asked if he thought Donkey was a character that could support its own film, similar to the fighting feline spinoffs starring Antonio Banderas, Meledandri answered, “Without question.” He also said he was keen to see the return of the film’s original voice cast, which includes Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, and Murphy, for “Shrek 5.”
Though no deals were in place at the time, Meledandri said negotiations with the three actors were going well. “We anticipate the cast coming back. Talks are starting now, and every indication that we’ve gotten is there’s tremendous enthusiasm on behalf of the actors to return,” he said in April.
The “Shrek” franchise has been a commercially successful and critically acclaimed property for DreamWorks Animation for more than two decades. The initial “Shrek” film arrived in theaters in May 2001 and took in $487 million in worldwide box office, also claiming the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. “Shrek 2,” released in May 2004, made $928 million worldwide and contended for the Cannes Film Festival’s Palme d’Or prize, as did its predecessor. “Shrek the Third,” released in May 2007, made $813 million worldwide, while the latest feature film in the series, “Shrek Forever After,” took in $752 million worldwide following its May 2010 release.
Other films in the franchise have fared well in box office revenues: “Puss in Boots,” starring Banderas, took in $555 million worldwide following its October 2011 release, racking up an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature Film of the Year. “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,” released in December 2022, made $484 million in box office revenue and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film.
The forthcoming motion picture is part of a long-term undertaking between Illumination founder Chris Meledandri, who is a producer on the movie, and Universal Pictures that began in late 2018. Meledandri, who has produced for animated franchises including “Despicable Me” and “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” told Variety in 2018 that an essential element to the franchise’s success was the performances of the actors involved. “When you look back on those vocal performances they’re awesome,” Meledandri said, “and while you certainly could make a case for a complete reinvention, I find myself responding to my own nostalgic feelings of wanting to go back to those characterizations. The challenge for us has been to find something that really does feel like it’s not simply yet another film in a series of sequels.”
With the return of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz, “Shrek 5” promises to bring back the magic that made the original films so beloved. Fans can mark their calendars for July 1, 2026, when Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey will once again grace the big screen.
Source: DreamWorks Animation, Collider, Variety
