‘Shrek 5’ set for July 2026 release; Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz confirmed to return

DreamWorks Animation has announced that ‘Shrek 5’ is officially in development and is set to release on July 1, 2026. Original ‘Shrek’ stars Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz are confirmed to return.

Antonio Banderas’ return as Puss in Boots is not yet confirmed.

‘Shrek 5’ will be directed by Walt Dohrn, who has previously worked on ‘Shrek 2,’ ‘Shrek the Third,’ and ‘Shrek Forever After.’ The film will be produced by Gina Shay and Illumination founder Chris Meledandri, with Brad Ableson serving as co-director.

In June, Murphy revealed that he had already begun voice recording for the film and will next work on a Donkey spinoff movie.

‘We started doing [‘Shrek 5’] months ago,’ Murphy told Collider.

‘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],’ he said.

More about ‘Shrek’

The ‘Shrek’ franchise released four feature films between 2001 and 2010. The original ‘Shrek’ turned DreamWorks Animation into a powerhouse studio, grossing $487 million worldwide and becoming the first Oscar winner for Best Animated Feature. ‘Shrek 2’ grossed $928 million. Both films competed for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. While ‘Shrek the Third’ and ‘Shrek Forever After’ earned less acclaim, they still managed to gross $813 million and $752 million worldwide, respectively. Both ‘Puss in Boots’ spinoffs were also hits, grossing $555 million and $484 million.

In 2018, Variety reported that Universal Pictures had tasked Chris Meledandri, the producer behind the ‘Despicable Me’ franchise and ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie,’ with reviving the ‘Shrek’ and ‘Puss in Boots’ franchises. Meledandri emphasized the importance of retaining the original vocal performances, which he credited as key to the films' success.

‘When you look back on those vocal performances, they’re awesome. While you could make a case for a complete reinvention, I respond to my own nostalgic feelings of wanting to return to those characterizations,’ Meledandri said.

‘The challenge for us has been to find something that feels like it’s not simply yet another film in a series of sequels,’ he added.

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