Shrek 5 Delayed as It Swaps Release Dates With Minions 3

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 strategic shift aligns Minions 3 with the traditional Independence Day box office bonanza, a successful formula for previous Despicable Me installments. Shrek 5, conversely, aims for the lucrative holiday season, marking its highly anticipated return after a 16-year hiatus.

Initially announced in 2016, the project remained relatively dormant until 2023, when Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri confirmed its active development, hinting at a potential Donkey spin-off.

Eddie Murphy, the voice of Donkey, further solidified the project's progress in 2024, confirming his involvement and reiterating the possibility of a Donkey solo film. "We started working on Shrek 5 months ago," he revealed. "I recorded the first act, and we'll continue this year. Shrek is coming out, and Donkey's getting his own movie too."

The release of Shrek 5 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 popular Puss in Boots character has also starred in two successful spin-offs: the first in 2011, and the critically acclaimed Puss in Boots: The Last Wish in 2022. IGN awarded the latter a 9/10, praising its "stunning animation" and "poignant, surprisingly mature story," describing it as "the Shrek franchise's answer to Logan we didn't know we needed."