- The "Shrek" franchise is returning with another sequel.
- DreamWorks Animation announced on Tuesday that "Shrek 5" will premiere in July 2026.
"Shrek 5" is heading to theaters in 2026.
It has been 14 years since the last sequel to "Shrek," the pop culture juggernaut that turned DreamWorks Animation into a leading film studio.
The first film won an Oscar, and the franchise made nearly $3 billion across the first four films. The "Puss In Boots" spinoff movies, released in 2011 and 2022, also made an extra billion dollars.
A "Shrek" sequel has been rumored for years, but fans were beginning to lose hope after "Shrek Forever After" provided a neat finish to the story. The decision to restart the "Shrek" franchise may be due to the surprise success of "Puss In Boots: The Last Wish," which had a slow opening but eventually made $481 million.
"The Last Wish" arrived 11 years after "Shrek," proving that there is still an audience for the films.
Here's what we know so far about "Shrek 5."
Eddie Murphy, Mike Myers, and Cameron Diaz are returning for "Shrek 5."
Last month, Eddie Murphy, who plays Donkey, told Collider that he had started recording his lines for "Shrek 5" and said that DreamWorks plans to release a spinoff about his character.
On Tuesday, DreamWorks Animation finally confirmed that "Shrek 5" is in the works. It also announced that Mike Myers will return as Shrek, with Cameron Diaz as Fiona.
Not too Far, Far Away… @Shrek 5 is coming to theaters on July 1, 2026 with Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz. pic.twitter.com/3j6ctXpPGu
— DreamWorks Animation (@Dreamworks) July 9, 2024
No word yet on Antonio Banderas, who joined the franchise in "Shrek 2" as the outlaw Puss in Boots. Banderas voiced Puss in Boots in both of the spinoff movies (the first is set before "Shrek" and the second is set after "Shrek Forever After") and has made no announcement about stepping down from the role.
This could mean that the fan-favorite feline won't show up, or Banderas hasn't been able to finalize his deal with DreamWorks yet.
Walt Dohrn will co-direct "Shrek 5" with Brad Ableson, the director of "Minions: The Rise of Gru." Dohrn was a writer and artist on "Shrek 2" and "Shrek the Third," was the head of the story on "Shrek Forever After," and the voice of Rumpelstiltskin in the latter film.
The movie's producers are Gina Shay, who produced "Shrek Forever After," and Illumination founder Chris Meledandri.
"Shrek 5" will premiere summer 2026.
There are no details yet on the plot or how it will follow "Shrek Forever After."
The last movie ended with Shrek and Fiona happily raising their three triplets after Shrek learns to appreciate his life as a father.
Dreamwork Animation set "Shrek 5" to premiere on July 1, 2026, so we will likely hear more details about the plot soon.