Shrek 5 moves from December 2026 to a summer 2027 release date, with the franchise’s beloved cast returning alongside newcomer Zendaya.
The wait for the return of everyone’s favorite green ogre just got a little longer. Universal Pictures has announced that Shrek 5 will now hit theaters on Wednesday, June 30, 2027, moving from its original December 23, 2026 date. The studio says the summer season is a better fit for the blockbuster franchise, which has traditionally thrived in that release window. By the time it arrives, it will have been 17 years since the last installment, 2010’s Shrek Forever After.
Universal also revealed a scheduling shift for an untitled Illumination event film, which will now debut earlier—on April 16, 2027—taking over the spot of another untitled Universal project that had previously been on the calendar.
Fans can look forward to the return of franchise staples Mike Myers as Shrek, Eddie Murphy as Donkey, and Cameron Diaz as Fiona. As previously announced, Zendaya will join the cast as the ogre’s daughter. Behind the scenes, the film will be helmed by Shrek veterans Conrad Vernon and Walt Dohrn, both of whom have deep ties to the series. Vernon, who co-directed Shrek 2 and voiced the Gingerbread Man, also worked on Madagascar 2. Dohrn, known for the Trolls franchise, contributed as a writer and artist to Shrek 2 and Shrek the Third, served as Head of Story for Shrek Forever After, and voiced Rumpelstiltskin.
The movie will be produced by Gina Shay, returning from her work on Shrek Forever After and the Trolls series, alongside Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri. Brad Ableson (Minions: The Rise of Gru, The Simpsons) will serve as co-director.
Since the original 2001 film—which won the first-ever Oscar for Best Animated Feature—the Shrek franchise has grown into a global phenomenon, earning $2.9 billion at the worldwide box office. Its legacy includes a live-touring stage show, an award-winning Broadway musical with eight Tony nominations, immersive attractions like Shrek’s Adventure! London, and popular experiences across Universal Studios theme parks.
With its mix of returning talent, fresh voices, and a prime summer release slot, Shrek 5 looks poised to continue the ogre’s fairy-tale reign well into the next generation.
