Shrek 5

Seventeen years after Shrek Forever After, DreamWorks Animation brings the beloved ogre back to the big screen. Shrek 5 finds the grumpy green giant navigating a very different world — one where fairy tales have faded and magic is treated with suspicion. Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz all reprise their iconic roles, joined by Zendaya as Felicia, Shrek and Fiona's teenage daughter. The film marks the longest gap between entries in the franchise's history, arriving at a time when nostalgia for the original films is at a peak, fueled by internet memes and the critical success of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish in 2022.

Walt Dohrn, who worked as head of story on Shrek Forever After and directed Trolls, co-directs alongside Conrad Vernon, the voice of Gingy and co-director of Shrek 2. Illumination founder Chris Meledandri serves as producer, marking his first direct involvement with the franchise since Universal acquired DreamWorks Animation. The screenplay went through multiple iterations, with original Shrek writers Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio brought back alongside Michael McCullers and Andrew Adamson. Eddie Murphy confirmed in a 2024 interview that he had already recorded his lines and described the script as "really, really good."

Production is underway at DreamWorks Animation's Glendale studio, with voice recording sessions held in Los Angeles and New York. The film reportedly uses updated animation technology while maintaining the distinctive visual style that made the original a landmark in computer animation. Universal Pictures is set to release the film on June 30, 2027, positioning it as a major summer tentpole and the start of a new era for the franchise that has grossed over $3.5 billion worldwide.[edit]

Two decades after the events of Shrek Forever After, life in the swamp has settled into a comfortable rhythm. Shrek and Fiona now share their home with three teenage children — Felicia, Fergus, and Farkle — each navigating the challenges of growing up as part-ogre, part-human royalty in a kingdom that has grown increasingly modern and skeptical of magic. Felicia, voiced by Zendaya, is the most adventurous of the trio, eager to explore the world beyond the swamp. Fergus, played by Marcello Hernández, is the mischievous middle child who loves pulling pranks. Farkle, voiced by Skyler Gisondo, is the thoughtful and cautious eldest son, often caught between his father's protective instincts and his mother's encouragement to embrace their dual heritage.

Shrek has settled into the role of a reluctant father who just wants to keep his family safe within the familiar boundaries of their home. Fiona, meanwhile, encourages their children to explore their identities and the world around them, leading to intergenerational tension. Donkey remains as talkative and loyal as ever, now a proud father himself, while Puss in Boots — having used up several of his nine lives over the years — approaches middle age with a mix of bravado and vulnerability. Their comfortable existence is disrupted when an unexpected visitor arrives in Far Far Away, threatening to undo the fragile peace that Shrek and his friends have maintained. The antagonist seeks to erase the magical elements from the fairy-tale world, forcing Shrek, Donkey, and Puss to embark on a new adventure that takes them beyond the familiar boundaries of their kingdom.

As the trio sets out, they discover a world that has become skeptical of fairy tales and magic. The film explores themes of legacy, change, and the importance of preserving wonder in an increasingly rational society. Along the way, familiar faces from previous films — including Gingy, Pinocchio, and the Magic Mirror — return to aid in the quest. The narrative structure echoes the original films' blend of irreverent humor and genuine heart, with the central question being whether Shrek and his family can save their world from losing its magic entirely. The story builds toward a climactic confrontation that tests the bonds of family and friendship, but the final resolution and major twists remain under wraps until the film's release.[edit]