Universal Pictures shuffles its release schedule, pushing back Shrek 5 to December 23, 2026. This move allows Minions 3, a spin-off from the Despicable Me franchise, to maintain its original July 1, 2026 release date, capitalizing on the Independence Day weekend box office.
Variety reports this scheduling adjustment. Minions 3 will thus adhere to the established pattern of Despicable Me films enjoying strong opening weekends around Independence Day. Shrek 5, conversely, will aim for the lucrative holiday season of 2026, marking its return after a 16-year hiatus.
Initially announced in 2016, the project remained relatively dormant until 2023 when Chris Meledandri, Illumination CEO, confirmed its active development, alongside hints of a potential Donkey spin-off.
Eddie Murphy, the voice of Donkey, further substantiated the film's progress in 2024, confirming recording sessions and expressing enthusiasm for both Shrek 5 and a standalone Donkey film. "We started doing [Shrek 5] months ago," he stated. "I did this, I recorded the first act, and we'll be doing it this year. We’ll finish it up. Shrek is coming out, and Donkey's gonna have his own movie. We're gonna do Donkey as well."
Shrek 5's release will coincide with the 25th anniversary of the original Shrek film, which premiered in 2001. The franchise continued with Shrek 2 (2004), Shrek the Third (2007), and Shrek Forever After (2010).
The popular Puss in Boots character has also starred in two successful spin-offs: the first in 2011 and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish in 2022. The latter received critical acclaim, including a 9/10 rating from IGN, which praised its "stunning animation" and "poignant, surprisingly mature story," describing it as "the Shrek franchise's answer to Logan we didn't know we needed."
