DreamWorks Animation's 'Shrek' Celebrates 25 Years of Iconic Legacy and Lasting Cultural Impact

"One movie cannot contain him," wrote Roger Ebert as Shrek premiered in U.S. theaters on May 18, 2001, and for 25 years the world's most popular ogre has borne out that prediction. Winning the first-ever Oscar® for Best Animated Feature at the 74th Academy Awards®, Shrek went on to inspire a franchise that has grossed nearly $4 billion worldwide, spanning multiple sequels, two Puss in Boots spin-offs, television series and specials, a Broadway musical, video games, theme park attractions, consumer products, and more.

Earning widespread industry acclaim, Shrek received an additional Oscar® nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay and earned six BAFTA nominations, winning Best Adapted Screenplay, with Eddie Murphy also recognized with a nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role for his voice performance as Donkey. The film was nominated for Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical at the Golden Globes and was later selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the U.S. Library of Congress. 

The film also helped usher pop and rock music more prominently into the animated feature landscape. Its soundtrack reached No. 28 on the Billboard 200 and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album. Featuring tracks from Smash Mouth, The Proclaimers, Eels, and Rufus Wainwright, the album was certified double platinum in the U.S. and has remained a fan favorite for decades.

Shrek and Fiona in Shrek 2 (2004)

The Shrek movies dominate global box office

The Shrek franchise has grossed nearly $4 billion worldwide across its four films and two Puss in Boots spin-offs. 2001's Shrek, starring Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, and John Lithgow, opened to $42.3 million and earned more than $268 million domestically. Shrek 2 (2004) remains the highest-grossing entry with $441.5 million domestically, followed by Shrek the Third (2007) with $322.7 million and Shrek Forever After (2010) with $238.7 million. Together, the four Shrek films generated more than $1.27 billion at the domestic box office.

The spin-offs Puss in Boots (2011) and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022) added $149.3 million and $186.1 million domestically, respectively. 

On June 30, 2027, DreamWorks Animation will invite audiences back to Far, Far Away for a thrilling new adventure with Shrek 5, which reunites Myers, Murphy, and Diaz in their signature roles as Shrek, Donkey, and Fiona, alongside newcomers Zendaya, Marcello Hernández, and Skyler Gisondo. The film is directed by Conrad Vernon and Walt Dohrn and is co-directed by Brad Ableson.

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Shrek on stage and television

Beyond film, the Shrek franchise expanded into television with DreamWorks Shrek's Swamp Stories and The Adventures of Puss in Boots, the animated spin-off series from DreamWorks Animation Television that ran for six seasons and is currently available to stream on Peacock.

In 2008, the franchise made the leap to the stage with Shrek the Musical, featuring a book and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Lindsay-Abaire and music by Jeanine Tesori. The production earned eight Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical, Best Book, Best Original Score, and lead acting nominations for Brian d'Arcy James and Sutton Foster, and ran for over a year on Broadway.

^{Shrek and Donkey in Universal Orlando Resort's DreamWorks Land} 

Universal Destinations & Experiences bring Shrek to life

Universal Orlando Resort's DreamWorks Land delivers "ogre-the-top" adventures at every turn. Guests can visit Shrek's Swamp Meet to interact with beloved characters Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey just outside of Shrek's cottage. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish comes to life in Mama Luna Feline Fiesta, an interactive experience set in Mama Luna's retirement home for cats. And at King Harold's Swamp Symphony, guests can create their own musical masterpiece by triggering a chorus of croaking frogs across a set of interactive lily pads.

Universal Studios Singapore invites guests into the kingdom of Far, Far Away with castles, green ogres, a talking donkey, and magic potions. At Donkey Live, guests can join Shrek's fast-talking sidekick Donkey for his interactive live show. Puss In Boots' Giant Journey roller coaster sends riders on a swashbuckling adventure atop a giant beanstalk, while Shrek 4-D Adventure features Shrek and friends in a fairy-tale honeymoon adventure.

Opening later this year, Universal Kids Resort will welcome kids and their families into the story of how Shrek met Fiona with the attraction Happily Ogre After. Built by Shrek for their triplets, the experience invites families to relive the quest to rescue Fiona, with help from Donkey, of course. Swamp Snacks will serve up kid-friendly favorites, including the Shrekzel, while Triplets Treasures will offer apparel, accessories and plush for the whole family. Guests will also have the chance to meet Shrek and Fiona and explore interactive play areas including Shrek's Swamp Rompin' Stomp and Shrek's Swamp Splash & Smash.

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An entire Shrek universe of products and collectibles

To celebrate the franchise's 25th anniversary, The LEGO Group and Universal Products & Experiences have unveiled an exclusive LEGO® Shrek set alongside a LEGO Shrek BrickHeadz™ set.

Packed with nostalgic references and hidden Easter eggs, the sets invite fans to recreate iconic moments from DreamWorks Animation's Shrek films. They also mark the first time Shrek has appeared in LEGO form, celebrating one of animation's most beloved franchises. The new LEGO Shrek sets will be available beginning June 1 in LEGO stores worldwide and on LEGO.com.

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Stream the Shrek films, series, and specials on Peacock

Peacock currently offers the full lineup of Shrek films, including Shrek, Shrek 2, Shrek the Third, and Shrek Forever After, alongside three seasons of The Adventures of Puss in Boots. The platform also features DreamWorks Animated Shorts, a collection of short-form content with Shrek, Donkey, Puss in Boots, and other familiar characters.

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Celebrate Shrek's 25th anniversary in select theaters beginning May 15

Universal Pictures is proud to announce the 25th anniversary nationwide theatrical re-release of DreamWorks Animation's Shrek, the Academy Award®-winning blockbuster that helped redefine animated storytelling for a new generation and introduced audiences to the fairy tale world of Far, Far Away. The film will return for a special limited engagement beginning Friday, May 15, 2026. Advance tickets are on sale now and can be purchased HERE.

Reshaping Animation with Shrek

From the start, Shrek helped reshape both animated storytelling and the technology behind it, setting a new standard for what computer-animated films could achieve. The film pushed DreamWorks' computer animation forward, particularly in facial expression, character performance, and the rendering of natural elements like water, mud, and foliage. What began as a bold creative swing quickly became a global phenomenon, with audiences responding to its distinct tone, humor, and character-driven approach.

The innovations developed for Shrek helped lay the groundwork for later DreamWorks Animation advancements in facial animation, lighting, and large-scale environments.

A quarter century in, Shrek remains one of DreamWorks Animation's most durable and far-reaching franchises, continuing to evolve alongside new audiences and platforms. With a new theatrical release on the horizon and expanded ways for fans to engage across streaming, television, and live experiences, Shrek continues to build on a legacy that has shaped animation for generations.