Universal Pictures shuffles its release schedule, pushing back Shrek 5 to December 23, 2026, and moving Minions 3 to its original July 1, 2026, release date. This positions the Despicable Me spin-off for the lucrative Independence Day box office, while Shrek 5 aims for the holiday season.
Variety reports the shift. Shrek 5, marking the franchise's 25th anniversary, will be the first mainline installment in 16 years. Initially announced in 2016, the project remained dormant until 2023 when Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri confirmed its development, along with a potential Donkey spin-off.
Eddie Murphy, the voice of Donkey, corroborated the project's progress in 2024, stating that recording had begun and that a solo Donkey film was also in the works.
The Shrek franchise boasts a rich history, beginning with the original 2001 release, followed by Shrek 2 (2004), Shrek the Third (2007), and Shrek Forever After (2010). The popular Puss in Boots spin-off series also includes a 2011 film and the critically acclaimed Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022), which IGN lauded with a 9/10 rating, describing it as "the Shrek franchise's answer to Logan."
