Shrek 5 Delayed as It Swaps Release Dates With Minions 3

Universal Pictures has shifted the release date of Shrek 5, pushing it back a few months to December 23, 2026. This move allows the Despicable Me spin-off, Minions 3, to retain its original July 1, 2026 premiere.

Variety reports that Minions 3 will thus capitalize on the lucrative Independence Day box office, a tradition established by previous Despicable Me films. Shrek 5, conversely, aims to leverage the holiday season of 2026 for its much-anticipated return after a 16-year hiatus.

Initially announced in 2016, the sequel remained largely dormant until 2023, when Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri confirmed its active development, along with hints of a potential Donkey spin-off.

Eddie Murphy, the voice of Donkey, corroborated the project's progress a year later, further fueling speculation about the Donkey spin-off. "We started working on [Shrek 5] months ago," Murphy stated. "I've recorded the first act, and we'll be finishing it this year. Shrek is coming out, and Donkey's getting his own movie. We're doing Donkey as well."

Shrek 5's release will coincide with the 25th anniversary of the original Shrek film, which debuted in 2001. The franchise continued with Shrek 2 (2004), Shrek the Third (2007), and Shrek Forever After (2010).

The Puss in Boots spin-offs have also proven successful, with the first released in 2011 and the critically acclaimed Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022) receiving a 9/10 rating from IGN. IGN praised the film, stating, "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish masterfully blends stunning animation with a heartfelt, surprisingly mature narrative, delivering an unexpected, Logan-esque addition to the Shrek universe."