Shrek 5 Release Date Shifted to December 2026

In a significant adjustment to its release schedule, Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation have announced that the highly anticipated Shrek 5, starring Cameron Diaz and Eddie Murphy, will now hit theaters on December 23, 2026, instead of the originally planned July 1, 2026, release date.

This change in schedule interestingly aligns the film's debut with DreamWorks Animation's 25th anniversary celebrations, potentially setting the stage for a milestone event in the world of animation. The film, directed by Walt Dohrn, marks the return of beloved characters Donkey and Princess Fiona, voiced by Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz, respectively. The Shrek franchise, based on the children's book by William Steig, has been a staple of family entertainment, and this fifth installment is expected to bring back the humor and adventure that fans have come to love.

The original release date for Shrek 5, July 1, 2026, has been taken over by Illumination Entertainment's Minions 3, which was initially scheduled for release on June 30, 2027. This swap in release dates indicates a strategic move by the studios to optimize their slate of upcoming releases. While the reason behind the delay of Shrek 5 has not been disclosed, the film's production was confirmed by Eddie Murphy, who stated that work on the project began several months ago.

With this new release date, fans of the Shrek franchise will have to wait a bit longer to reunite with their favorite characters. However, the alignment with DreamWorks Animation's anniversary suggests that the wait might be worth it, potentially leading to a special celebration of the franchise and the studio's contributions to animation over the years.