Universal Pictures said Monday it is moving DreamWorks Animation’s Shrek 5 from December 23, 2026 to Wednesday, June 30, 2027. Essentially, the summer is better corridor for the mega return of the green fairy-tale ogre and friends; that’s the season he’s always dwelled in. It will rep 17 years since the previous Shrek movie, 2010’s Shrek Forever After.
In addition, Universal said today that an untitled Illumination event movie is going earlier in 2027, from June 30 to April 16. It takes the place of an untitled Universal event film that had been on the release date calendar.
Shrek repertoire members Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz are coming back to voice their signature roles of Shrek, Donkey and Fiona, respectively, As previously announced, Zendaya is joining the cast.
Shrek 5 will be directed by franchise veterans Conrad Vernon and Walt Dohrn. Vernon’s directing credits include Shrek 2 and Madagascar 2, and is the voice of Gingerbread Man (aka Gingy) in the Shrek films. Dohrn (Trolls franchise) worked on the second and third Shrek films as a writer and artist and as Head of Story on the fourth film. Dohrn also voiced the character of Rumpelstilskin in Shrek Forever After.
The film is produced by returning producer Gina Shay (Trolls franchise), who produced Shrek Forever After, and by Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri. The fifth-quel will be co-directed by Brad Ableson (Minions: The Rise of Gru, The Simpsons).
The four Shrek movies have amassed $2.9 billion at the global box office in addition to a global live-touring show; an award-winning Broadway musical that earned eight Tony nominations and 12 Drama Desk nominations; plus an immersive, top tourist destination in London; and popular events and attractions across Universal Studios Parks worldwide.
The original 2001 movie won the first-ever Oscar for Best Animated Feature.