(L to R) Donkey (Eddie Murphy), Shrek (Mike Myers), Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) and Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow) in ‘Shrek’. Photo: DreamWorks Animation.
Preview:
- DreamWorks Animation has set the fifth ‘Shrek’ entry for 2026.
- Voice stars Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz are all returning.
- No story details have been released.
While on his ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F’ press tour, Eddie Murphy mentioned that he’d been recording voice work for a new entry in the ‘Shrek’ franchise, in which he plays Donkey (more on that below).
That might not count as official confirmation for the next ‘Shrek’ movie, but we have some now, via DreamWorks Animation on social media:
Not too Far, Far Away… @Shrek 5 is coming to theaters on July 1, 2026 with Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz. pic.twitter.com/3j6ctXpPGu
— DreamWorks Animation (@Dreamworks) July 9, 2024
The tweet confirms that stars Mike Myers and Cameron Diaz will indeed return as Shrek and Fiona alongside Murphy.
It’s hardly surprising that the company would return to the ‘Shrek’ universe –– after all, it has earned more than $2.9 billion between the main entries and various spin-offs, including the ‘Puss in Boots’ movies. And added to that, a whole truckload of merchandise and various opportunities such as a Broadway musical, a touring show and theme park attractions.
What’s the story of ‘Shrek 5’?
Shrek (Mike Myers) in ‘Shrek’. Photo: DreamWorks Animation.
Michael McCullers, who was a key Myers collaborator on the ‘Austin Powers’ movies, has reportedly been at work on the screenplay for the new ‘Shrek’, working from a story he developed with producer Christopher Meledandri. All the ‘Shrek’ stories, of course, chart new tales based on the character originally featured in William Steig’s book.
We’ve seen various developments in Shrek’s life –– he and Fiona have a family (and Donkey has kids with his dragon partner), so perhaps we’ll be checking back in with their kids for a new story?
It could also potentially see Puss (Antonio Banderas) reuniting with his friends, as hinted at by the end of ‘The Last Wish’.
And as is usual for this franchise, there will no doubt be riffs on pop culture and fantasy tales.
This is what producer Chris Meledandri told Variety last year of developing the next ‘Shrek’:
“It’s not that dissimilar to the process that we went through with ‘Mario,’ where you look at what the core elements are that audiences have loved, and you do your very best to honor those core elements. And then you’re hard at work to build story elements and new characters that take you to brand new places. The original cast is a huge part of that.”
Related Article: Eddie Murphy Talks ‘Shrek 5’ and a Donkey Spin-Off Movie
What did Eddie Murphy say about ‘Shrek 5’?
(L to R) Shrek (Mike Myers) and Donkey (Eddie Murphy) in ‘Shrek’. Photo: DreamWorks Animation.
Here’s what Eddie Murphy told Collider during an interview for ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ Axel F’:
“We started doing ‘Shrek 5’ months ago. 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. So we’re gonna do a ‘Shrek’ and we’re doing a ‘Donkey’ [movie].”
DreamWorks didn’t mention the Donkey movie, but there’s still a chance we’ll see that.
When will we see a fifth ‘Shrek’ movie on screen?
As DreamWorks’ tweet mentions, the movie is now scheduled to hit theaters on July 1st, 2026. So we have less than two years to wait for Shrek and the gang to return.
Shrek (Mike Myers) in ‘Shrek’. Photo: DreamWorks Animation.