shrek 5 in theaters july 2026 – the wait is over

Shrek 5 is officially confirmed and set to release on July 1, 2026. After numerous hints and teases, Universal and DreamWorks have announced that the beloved fairytale characters will return with Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz reprising their roles. The reveal came with a teaser trailer on DreamWorks Animation's Twitter, hyping fans for the long-awaited sequel. The gap between Shrek Forever and Shrek 5 will be 15 years, although DreamWorks kept the franchise alive with Puss in Boots spinoffs, the latest being 2022's The Last Wish. The excitement for Shrek 5 has built over time, with rumors of its development dating back to 2016, reflecting Hollywood's trend of reviving popular IPs. Apart from Shrek 5, a Donkey-focused spinoff is also in the works, confirming the franchise’s enduring appeal and profitability as the second-highest-grossing animated franchise of all time.

Shrek 5 is scheduled to release in theaters on July 1, 2026.

Shrek Forever, released in 2010, marks the last mainline entry in the Shrek series. However, the 2022 release of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, which received critical acclaim, sustained audience interest in the universe. The Shrek series, starting with the original movie in 2001, has left a lasting impact on animated films with its unique blend of humor, heart, and fairy tale parody. As Universal gears up for Shrek 5, expectations are high for another memorable adventure in the land of Far, Far Away.