It’s official: Shrek’s next opus will be released in July 2026. The famed franchise, which first made its debut in 2001, is set to return in two years with several original cast members. Eddie Murphy, who voices Donkey, Cameron Diaz as Princess Fiona, and Mike Myers as Shrek, are all confirmed to reprise their roles in the upcoming installment of the animated series.
Almost a decade and a half after its last chapter, the fifth film of the saga is expected to bring its iconic blend of meme-worthy humor and heartwarming adventures back to big screens, only this time with American filmmaker Walt Dohrn as director. Having served as both writer and artist on Shrek 2 and Shrek 3, as well as head of story on Shrek Forever After, the forthcoming film will be produced by Gina Shay who also worked on previous installments of the franchise.
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
Already in the works, Murphy recently hinted at an upcoming release in an interview with Collider. “We started doing [‘Shrek 5’] months ago,” he said. “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. So we’re gonna do a Shrek, and we’re doing a Donkey [movie],” Murphy added.
A cult classic to both movie critics and general audiences, Shrek made history by being the first Oscar winner in the animated feature category in 2002, setting the standard for future films and influencing the ways in which they are made and recognized.
