Shrek 5 Release Delayed, Swaps Dates with Minions 3

Universal Pictures has recently announced a change in the release schedule for two of its highly anticipated animated films. Shrek 5, initially set for an earlier release, has been postponed to December 23, 2026. This shift moves the beloved ogre's return to the holiday season, marking the franchise's first mainline entry in 16 years.

In a corresponding move, the Despicable Me spin-off, Minions 3, will now occupy Shrek 5's original release date, premiering on July 1, 2026. This strategic scheduling aligns Minions 3 with the lucrative Independence Day weekend, a tradition for the Despicable Me series.

The announcement of Shrek 5 came in 2016, but the project remained dormant until 2023 when Chris Meledandri, CEO of Illumination, confirmed its active development. Alongside Shrek 5, Meledandri expressed interest in a Donkey spin-off. Eddie Murphy, the voice of Donkey, provided further updates, stating that production on Shrek 5 had commenced and that he had already recorded the first act. He also confirmed plans for a standalone Donkey movie.

The release of Shrek 5 will coincide with the franchise's 25th anniversary, as the original Shrek film debuted in 2001. Subsequent sequels, Shrek 2, Shrek the Third, and Shrek Forever After, followed in 2004, 2007, and 2010, respectively.

Additionally, the Shrek universe has expanded with the Puss in Boots spin-offs. The first Puss in Boots film was released in 2011, and its sequel, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, arrived in 2022 to critical acclaim. IGN praised the latter, awarding it a 9/10 and describing it as a poignant and mature addition to the Shrek franchise, likening it to the film Logan in its impact and storytelling.