Shrek is coming back and here’s why it is DreamWorks’ gift that keeps on giving

Shrek 5, titled “Shrek Forever After” is officially in the works for a July 2026 release date! The movie will come back with A-list names in the cast, including Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz. And you know, it’s time to start peeling that onion, because everyone’s favorite ogre is back for another layer of adventure.

According to a July 9 press release from Dreamworks Animation and Universal Pictures, Shrek’s “Forever After” is set to hit theaters on July 1, 2026. The best part? It marks the 25th anniversary of the first film, which originally debuted on the big screen in 2001. The first movie follows Shrek on a quest with Donkey to rescue Princess Fiona, only to discover she turns into an ogre at night.

Shrek presented a twist in the conventional fairytale structure, making bad guys good and vice versa. Not to mention, the unconventional way in which the beautiful princess turns into this “monstrous” ogre. At the end of the day, the film advocates for self-acceptance, a theme that resonates with Mike Myers:

“The concept of going from a self-loathing ogre to a self-accepting ogre was meaningful to me,” he told GQ in 2022.

Shrek’s impact on DreamWorks is undeniable, inspiring hits like “Madagascar“, “Kung Fu Panda“, and “How to Train Your Dragon.” As Jeffrey Katzenberg said, “That first Shrek saved the company financially. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.”