For the second time, Universal Pictures has delayed Shrek 5. The highly anticipated DreamWorks film has been pushed back from December 23, 2026 to Wednesday, June 30, 2027. It marks the second delay for the CG-animated movie, which was originally supposed to open in in July 2026.
Universal Pictures has been shuffling the release dates for its movies in hopes of finding the best window for success. Deadline reports that the summer represents the best box office opportunity for the latest film in the long-running franchise.
Since first debuting in May 2001, the Shrek franchise, which includes four mainline films and two Puss in Boots spin-offs, has grossed over $4 billion worldwide. The latest mainline film, Shrek Forever After was released in May 2010 and grossed over $750 million worldwide, while Shrek The Third, released in May 2007, earned over $800 million globally.
Summer is typically a successful window for kids movies, but delayed the film also means it no longer runs the risk of being drowned out by a competitive holiday period that includes Avengers: Doomsday, Dune: Part III, and Ice Age 6. All three of these films are scheduled to open on December 18, 2026.
To make room for Shrek 5's new date, Universal is pushing up an unttiled Illumination event movie to April 16, 2027. It will take the place of an unttiled Universal event film that had been on the release date calendar.
Shrek 5 was first announced in July 2024 with original voice actors Mike Myers (Shrek), Eddie Murphy (Donkey) and Cameron Diaz (Princess Fiona) all set to reprise their role. A teaser trailer for the film debuted earlier this year in February, confirming the addition of Zendaya (Spider-Man: No Way Home; Dune: Part Two; Challengers). She will voice Shrek and Fiona's teenage daughter. Universal Pictures is keeping the story of Shrek 5 under wraps for now.
In addition to the new Shrek 5, actor Eddie Murphy recently revealed that another new spin-off, one focused on the annoyingly lovable sidekick, Donkey, is slated to being production this year.
"No, they're still doing voiceover stuff. We're still in the booth, and literally, we're still doing Shrek," the actor told ScreenRant in July. "We start in September on Donkey, we're doing a Donkey one, and that'll be three years from now, but we're about two years into Shrek 5. Still in the booth and about to start Donkey in September."