Shrek 5 is out in theaters Christmas 2026 (Universal Pictures)
The beloved Shrek franchise is making a grand return! Universal Pictures has officially confirmed the release of Shrek 5 with a first-look teaser, exciting fans worldwide. Set to hit theaters on Christmas 2026, the film will bring back iconic characters voiced by Mike Myers (Shrek), Eddie Murphy (Donkey), and Cameron Diaz (Princess Fiona).
Adding to the excitement, Zendaya joins the cast as Felicia, one of Shrek and Fiona’s triplet children, who were first introduced in Shrek the Third (2007).
Teaser Sparks Mixed Reactions
The teaser features a hilarious moment where Shrek, Donkey, Fiona, and Felicia gather around a magic mirror to ask, “Who’s the fairest of them all?” In response, the mirror amusingly showcases Shrek in bizarre scenarios—wearing glasses and making a duck face, dancing in a skintight bodysuit, and even flaunting unrealistic abs.
While Donkey and Shrek react in horror, Felicia cringes, exclaiming, “Ew, dad.” Fiona, on the other hand, finds it amusing, saying, “Oooh, mama like.” The clip ends with Shrek questioning, “Who’s making this stuff?” before Pinocchio appears, his nose growing as he denies involvement.
Aged Looks and Art Style Concerns Fans
Despite the excitement surrounding the film’s return after 15 years, fans have expressed concerns about the animation style. Some noted noticeable changes in character designs, particularly Shrek’s forehead wrinkles and Donkey’s greying fur, which make them appear older.
“Eyo, why does Shrek look so old?” one fan asked on X. Another added, “What’s up with their faces?” referring to the character redesigns.
The film’s updated animation style has also stirred debate, with some feeling it looks overly smooth and rounded. One fan questioned, “Did they get botox? Why are they like that?” Others criticized the change, calling the visuals “cheap” and urging the studio to revert to the original style.
A Nod to Sonic’s Redesign Controversy
Some fans even referenced the backlash Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) faced before its release, which led to a complete redesign of the character. “Please change the animation style,” one viewer pleaded, adding, “Don’t make us Sonic you.”
Shrek 5: What to Expect
The return of Shrek has been in the works for some time. In June 2023, Eddie Murphy confirmed in an interview that recording for Shrek 5 had already begun, revealing, “We started months ago… we’ll finish it up this year.”
The film will be directed by Walt Dohrn, a longtime contributor to the franchise. Dohrn previously worked as a writer and artist for Shrek 2 and Shrek the Third, served as head of story for Shrek Forever After, and even voiced Rumpelstiltskin in the latter.
With Shrek 5 set for a holiday 2026 release, fans eagerly await more updates—while hoping their animation concerns are addressed before the big premiere.
