Fans of our favourite green ogre may be waiting a little longer to return to the swamp. Universal has officially announced that Shrek 5 will be shifting its release date from 1 July 2026 to 23 December 2026. Though it’s only a five-month push, for die-hard Shrek fans, it’ll feel like an eternity.
Minions 3 Moves Up By an Entire Year
While Shrek 5 heads for a festive release, Universal’s other animated juggernaut, Minions 3, has been pulled forward from 30 June 2027 to the former Shrek summer slot of 1 July 2026—a full year earlier than planned. If that’s not an indication of smooth progress, we don’t know what is.
An untitled Illumination project has also shifted to the date Minions 3 vacated in June 2027, adding another shake-up to Universal’s calendar.
Shrek’s Triumphant Return
Shrek 5 is set to coincide with DreamWorks’ 25th anniversary, reuniting the iconic voice cast of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz as Shrek, Donkey, and Fiona. Walt Dohrn and Conrad Vernon—long-time series veterans—are in the director’s chairs.
- Walt Dohrn: Contributed as a writer and artist on Shrek 2 and Shrek the Third, headed story on Shrek Forever After, and even voiced Rumpelstiltskin.
- Conrad Vernon: Directed Shrek 2 and famously provided the voice of the Gingerbread Man.
With over $2.9 billion in global earnings and a cultural footprint that includes Broadway musicals and theme park attractions, the Shrek franchise has certainly earned its fair share of “ogre achievers.”
Despicable Draw for Minions 3
Meanwhile, Minions 3 is likely to be another box-office triumph. Despite mixed reviews, Despicable Me 4 reigned as one of 2024’s biggest earners. Brian Lynch (Minions) returns to write, while Pierre Coffin (who directed the first three Despicable Me movies and the original Minions) directs—and once again voices those adorable little henchmen.
Eddie Murphy’s Tease
Eddie Murphy spilled some beans last summer, confirming that recording for Shrek 5 began months ago and hinting at a standalone Donkey film:
“Shrek is coming out and Donkey’s gonna have his own movie…we’re doing a Donkey [movie] as well.”
He initially predicted a 2025 arrival for Shrek 5, but that date seems to have changed with this latest announcement.
A Stacked Year for Animation
Even with the delay, 2026 is shaping up to be a powerhouse year for animated films, featuring The Super Mario Movie 2, Toy Story 5, Ice Age 6, and now Minions 3 and Shrek 5. If you’re a fan of animated adventures, it looks like a very ogre-licious year ahead.
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