It’s been nearly 25 years since Shrek burst onto the big screen, and even after all this time, the green ogre from the swamp still holds a special place in pop culture.
Since its debut in 2001, the Shrek franchise has evolved into one of the most successful animated series ever, with four main films and two Puss in Boots spinoffs grossing over $1.6 billion combined. And now, fans have something big to look forward to—Shrek 5 is officially in the works and set to hit theaters in December 2026.
The Cast Is Back—With a New Face
On February 27, 2025, Universal Pictures dropped a teaser trailer on YouTube announcing the core cast of Shrek 5. The short clip shows Shrek and Donkey swiping through the Magic Mirror like it’s a social media app. They’re soon joined by Fiona and their daughter Felicia, who is now a teenager.
The teaser confirms the return of the original trio—Mike Myers (Shrek), Eddie Murphy (Donkey), and Cameron Diaz (Fiona). But the big surprise? Zendaya has joined the cast as the voice of teenage Felicia. This casting choice was met with excitement from fans, especially since Zendaya already has experience in animation, having voiced characters in Space Jam: A New Legacy and Smallfoot.
While the teaser doesn't confirm whether Shrek’s other kids, Fergus and Farkle, will be featured, the focus on Felicia hints that the film may explore what life is like for Shrek and Fiona as parents of a teenager.
Fans React to the New Look
Alongside the casting news, the teaser revealed a fresh animation style—and it didn’t go unnoticed. Many fans were quick to comment on how different the characters look. Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, and Pinocchio all have more stylized, cartoonish appearances than in past films.
The change sparked mixed reactions. Some fans love the modern update, while others were reminded of the backlash over Sonic the Hedgehog’s first movie redesign in 2019. But here’s the thing: animation has come a long way since 2010’s Shrek Forever After. Advances in lighting, color rendering, and character modeling can make even small changes seem dramatic.
Plus, it makes sense that characters would evolve over a 15-year gap. Felicia is now a teen, and Shrek and Fiona probably wouldn’t look exactly the same. Even Donkey has aged—at least in spirit! And let’s not forget that DreamWorks successfully updated the animation style for Puss in Boots: The Last Wish in 2022, which was widely praised.
A Long Time in the Making
Believe it or not, Shrek 5 has been floating around in development limbo since as far back as 2007. At one point, DreamWorks planned to wrap up the series with five films, but after Shrek Forever After, they decided it would be the final chapter. However, everything changed in 2016 when NBCUniversal acquired DreamWorks Animation. With new leadership came a revived interest in the franchise.
Eddie Murphy confirmed as early as 2016 that he’d be back for a fifth film, and even teased the possibility of a Donkey spinoff down the line. While no Donkey solo project has been confirmed yet, the buzz around it hasn’t died down.
The Shrek 5 script is being penned by Michael McCullers, who described it as “a pretty big reinvention” of the series. Walt Dohrn, who’s been part of the franchise since Shrek 2, will be directing.
When Will Shrek 5 Hit Theaters?
Shrek 5 is officially set to premiere on December 23, 2026, making it the first Shrek movie not to release in May. The original plan was for a July 2026 debut, but that slot was given to Minions 3, another Universal Pictures property. The December release also means that Shrek 5 will arrive just in time for the franchise’s 25th anniversary.
Interestingly, it won’t be the only big animated release that Christmas—Ice Age 6 is slated to hit theaters just a few days before. This will be a nostalgic showdown between two early-2000s animation giants.
Streaming Plans Are Already in Place
Once Shrek 5 completes its theatrical run, it will be available on streaming—but not all at once. According to Universal’s deal with Netflix and Peacock, the movie will have an 18-month streaming window. It’ll premiere on Peacock for four months, move to Netflix for ten months, and then return to Peacock for the final four.
No exact dates have been shared, and it’s unclear whether this streaming rollout begins after the film’s theatrical release or at the same time. Either way, fans will have several ways to watch it at home.
What to Expect Going Forward
The teaser may not reveal much about the plot, but it’s enough to get fans buzzing. With Zendaya joining the beloved original cast, a new animation style, and a story that seems to focus on Shrek’s life as a father, Shrek 5 is shaping up to be both a nostalgic return and a fresh chapter.
There’s still a lot we don’t know—like whether other familiar faces like Lord Farquaad will return—but one thing’s clear: Shrek isn’t done yet.
