Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation have officially delayed the release of Shrek 5, moving the highly anticipated animated sequel from December 23, 2026, to June 30, 2027.
This marks the second delay for the project, which was initially slated for July 2026.
While no specific reason was provided for the postponement, industry trends suggest that the move aligns with Universal’s history of strong summer box office performance for animated hits like Despicable Me, How to Train Your Dragon, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
On its new summer date, Shrek 5 will arrive just days after Sony’s Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse. The original December 2026 release would have followed major titles including Disney’s Avengers: Doomsday and Ice Age 6.
The beloved voice cast — Mike Myers as Shrek, Eddie Murphy as Donkey, and Cameron Diaz as Fiona — will return, with Zendaya joining in a new role. The film will be directed by franchise veterans Conrad Vernon and Walt Dohrn.
Shrek 5 will hit theaters nearly 26 years after the original 2001 blockbuster, which redefined animated storytelling with its comedic twist on fairy tales. The franchise has grossed billions globally across four main films and two Puss in Boots spinoffs.
As part of the schedule changes, Illumination’s untitled event film has been moved up to April 16, 2027.
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