'Shrek 5' Scheduled for July 2026 with Original Cast Returning

DreamWorks Animation has officially announced the development of "Shrek 5," set for release on July 1, 2026. Fans of the franchise will be delighted to know that original stars Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz are all returning. While Antonio Banderas' return as Puss in Boots remains unconfirmed, the new film promises to bring back the magic of the original series.

Walt Dohrn, who contributed to "Shrek 2," "Shrek the Third," and "Shrek Forever After," will direct "Shrek 5." The production will be overseen by Gina Shay and Chris Meledandri, the founder of Illumination, with Brad Ableson serving as co-director.

In June, Eddie Murphy revealed he had already begun recording his lines and mentioned a future Donkey spinoff. “We started doing ‘Shrek 5’ months ago,” Murphy told Collider. “I recorded the first act, and we’ll finish it this year. ‘Shrek’ is coming out, and Donkey’s gonna have his own movie. We’re gonna do a ‘Shrek,’ and we’re doing a Donkey movie too.”

The "Shrek" series released four films between 2001 and 2010, starting with the original "Shrek," which grossed $487 million worldwide and won the first Oscar for Best Animated Feature. "Shrek 2" followed, earning $928 million and competing for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. "Shrek the Third" and "Shrek Forever After" also performed well, grossing $813 million and $752 million globally. The "Puss in Boots" spinoffs were also hits, grossing $555 million and $484 million, respectively.

In 2018, Universal Pictures tasked Chris Meledandri with reviving the "Shrek" and "Puss in Boots" franchises. Meledandri emphasized the importance of the original vocal performances in maintaining the series' charm. “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,” Meledandri said.

The most recent "Puss in Boots" movie, "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish," was a box office success, grossing $484 million worldwide and earning an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature. This success renewed interest in "Shrek 5," with Murphy expressing enthusiasm for a Donkey-centric film as well. “If [DreamWorks] ever came with another ‘Shrek,’ I’d do it in two seconds. I love Donkey. Donkey is funnier than Puss in Boots,” Murphy said in January 2023.

Meledandri confirmed negotiations with Myers, Diaz, and Murphy were progressing well and expected the original cast to return. “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,” Meledandri told Variety in April 2023.