Universal Pictures shuffles its release schedule, pushing back Shrek 5 to December 23, 2026, while Minions 3, a Despicable Me spin-off, retains its original July 1, 2026, premiere.
Variety reports that this scheduling adjustment allows Minions 3 to capitalize on the lucrative Independence Day box office, a tradition established by the Despicable Me franchise. Shrek 5, marking the franchise's return after a 16-year hiatus, will now aim for the holiday season in 2026.
Initially announced in 2016, Shrek 5 remained largely dormant until 2023 when Chris Meledandri, CEO of Illumination Studios, confirmed its active development, alongside hints of a potential Donkey spin-off.
Eddie Murphy, the voice of Donkey, further substantiated the project's progress in 2024, confirming recording sessions and expressing optimism for both Shrek 5 and a dedicated Donkey film. "We started doing [Shrek 5] months ago," he stated. "I did this, I recorded the first act, and we'll be doing it this year. We’ll finish it up. Shrek is coming out, and Donkey's gonna have his own movie. We're gonna do Donkey as well."
The release of Shrek 5 will coincide with the 25th anniversary of the original Shrek film, which debuted in 2001. This initial success spawned sequels Shrek 2 (2004), Shrek the Third (2007), and Shrek Forever After (2010).
The Puss in Boots spin-off series has also proven successful, with the first installment in 2011 and the critically acclaimed Puss in Boots: The Last Wish in 2022, which received a 9/10 rating from IGN. IGN praised the film, stating, "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish mixes stunning animation with a poignant, surprisingly mature story to deliver the Shrek franchise's answer to Logan we didn't know we needed."
