Fans of the beloved ogre and his fairy-tale friends will have to wait a bit longer for Shrek 5, as Universal Pictures has confirmed that the film’s release date has been delayed from July 1, 2026, to December 23, 2026.
The long-awaited fifth installment in the Shrek series has been moved to make way for Minions 3, which has been rescheduled to the earlier June 30, 2027, release date. Additionally, another untitled Illumination project will now fill the gap left by Shrek 5’s original July spot, ensuring a summer animated release.
In other Shrek 5 news, it has been revealed that the movie will now have two directors. Originally, Walt Dohrn, who has contributed to previous Shrek films and voiced Rumpelstiltskin, was set to direct solo. However, Conrad Vernon, known for co-directing Shrek 2 and voicing the Gingerbread Man, has joined the project as a co-director.
While plot details remain under wraps, the ending of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish saw the characters Puss, Kitty Softpaws, and Perrito heading to Far Far Away, sparking speculation about potential connections to the new film. Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, and Eddie Murphy are all expected to reprise their roles as Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey, respectively. In addition, Murphy has hinted at a Donkey spin-off project in development.
The Shrek franchise has been incredibly successful, grossing a staggering $2.9 billion globally across its four films, with the Puss in Boots movies adding another $1 billion. The franchise also includes a popular stage show, numerous video games, and a wide range of merchandise.