Yes, a fifth Shrek movie is part of a new franchise plan. Shrek 5, the next main entry in DreamWorks Animation's Shrek film series, anchors back-to-back universe films in 2027 and 2028. DreamWorks Animation says Shrek 5 will play only in theaters on June 30, 2027, according to DreamWorks Animation's franchise page. That theatrical relaunch sets up a Donkey origin-story prequel one year later.
Table of Contents
- Why is this a revival?
- Who returns and who is new?
- How does Donkey fit the plan?
- Should you make viewing plans now?
Why is this a revival?
Shrek 5 arrives 17 years after Shrek Forever After from 2010. Polygon described that gap in June 2026 as a revival for a new generation.
The filmmakers push that handoff through Shrek and Fiona's teenage children. Zendaya plays daughter Felicia, while Townsquare's Classic Rock 107.7 reports Marcello Hernandez and Skyler Gisondo play her brothers Fergus and Farkle. Franchise veterans Conrad Vernon and Walt Dohrn direct, credited by DreamWorks and Universal as returning Shrek filmmakers.
Who returns and who is new?
Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz return as Shrek, Donkey and Fiona. DreamWorks and Universal confirm those returns plus Zendaya as Felicia in the official teaser on YouTube.
Hernandez and Gisondo complete the sibling trio as Fergus and Farkle. Townsquare's Classic Rock 107.7 identified those roles in July 2026. For longtime viewers, the draw is familiar voices beside a younger core.
How does Donkey fit the plan?
Universal and DreamWorks dated Donkey, an Eddie Murphy origin story about how Donkey became Donkey, for June 30, 2028. That date lands exactly one year after Shrek 5, according to TheWrap's June 2026 report. CBR places Donkey as the eighth Shrek-universe feature.
It also calls Donkey the second spinoff strand after the two Puss in Boots films. Murphy had already outlined that order in June 2024. He told Collider he had recorded Shrek 5's first act and that a standalone Donkey film would follow, as reported by Moviefone.
Should you make viewing plans now?
Expect theaters first. DreamWorks Animation lists Shrek 5 as playing only in theaters. Family trips and ticket budgets should assume a cinema release.
Treat dates as current, not locked. Animation Magazine reported in August 2025 that Universal twice postponed Shrek 5, from July 1, 2026 to December 23, 2026 and then to June 30, 2027. If the slate holds, viewers get back-to-back Shrek-universe films in 2027 and 2028.
- Check theater listings closer to June 2027 rather than booking travel now
- Watch Universal announcements for another date shift
- Treat Donkey in June 2028 as a separate theater outing