Universal Pictures has delayed Shrek 5 from December 23, 2026 to June 30, 2027, moving it out of a packed holiday slate that includes Avengers: Doomsday, Dune: Part III, and Ice Age 6.
The vacated December slot will now host an untitled Illumination project scheduled for April 16, 2027.
Produced by Universal and DreamWorks Animation, Shrek 5 marks the first main-series entry since Shrek Forever After (2010). It will be directed by Walt Dohrn and Conrad Vernon, with Brad Ableson (Minions: The Rise of Gru) as co-director. Producers include Gina Shay and Illumination founder Chris Meledandri, whose involvement follows Comcast-NBCUniversal’s 2016 acquisition of DreamWorks Animation.
The voice cast features returning stars Mike Myers (Shrek), Eddie Murphy (Donkey), and Cameron Diaz (Princess Fiona), joined by Zendaya as Shrek and Fiona’s daughter.
Based on William Steig’s 1990 book, the Shrek franchise debuted in 2001, won the first-ever Oscar for Best Animated Feature, and expanded into sequels, Puss in Boots spin-offs, and a newly announced Donkey-focused film.
Universal’s date shift positions Shrek 5 to capitalize on the lucrative summer family market while avoiding the intense December 2026 competition.
