Is Shrek 5 Still Happening? Here is When the Movie Will Now Hit Theaters

Yes, Shrek 5 is still very much happening, but fans will have to wait a little longer for the return.

According to Variety, Universal and DreamWorks Animation have postponed the fifth instalment in the beloved animated franchise. This marks the second delay for the film, which was originally scheduled for release in July 2026.

While the studio has not publicly provided a specific reason for the change, the move places the film in the lucrative summer release window, a period where Universal has seen considerable success with family animation.

New Release Date

The release date for Shrek 5 has been moved from 23 December 2026 to the summer of next year, more specifically 30 June 2027. In recent years, Universal has enjoyed major summer returns from animated titles such as Despicable Me and The Super Mario Bros. Movie, as well as DreamWorks' How to Train Your Dragon franchise.

On its new date, Shrek 5 will open less than a week after Sony's Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, setting up a competitive period for animated releases. By contrast, its previous December 2026 slot would have seen it debut shortly after Disney's Avengers: Doomsday and alongside Ice Age 6.

The summer repositioning suggests confidence from Universal that the green ogre and his companions can once again draw large family audiences during school holidays.

Universal has also moved Illumination's Untitled Event Film forward to 16 April 2027, vacating the late June corridor now reserved for Shrek 5.

Returning Cast and New Additions

The delay may test fans' patience, but the cast line-up offers reassurance that the heart of the franchise remains intact.

Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz are all returning to their signature roles as Shrek, Donkey and Fiona. Their roles were central to the original film's success and have remained a defining feature across the sequels.

The casting adds a contemporary star presence, as Zendaya joins in the 5th film.

Behind the camera, franchise veterans Conrad Vernon and Walt Dohrn will direct the new instalment, providing continuity with the earlier films' tone and style.

When Shrek 5 eventually reaches cinemas in June 2027, it will do so nearly 26 years after the release of the original Shrek in 2001.

That first film redefined animated storytelling with its sharp humour and subversive take on fairy-tale conventions. It earned nearly $500 million worldwide and became the first-ever Academy Award winner for Best Animated Feature.

The success led to three sequels: Shrek 2, Shrek the Third and Shrek Forever After. The universe later expanded with two Puss in Boots spin-offs.

So, Is Shrek 5 Still Happening?

Despite the shifting dates, the answer is yes. Production remains underway, the original cast is returning, and Universal has locked in a firm summer 2027 release.

Delays in the current theatrical landscape are far from unusual, particularly for large-scale animated projects that require extended production timelines. If anything, the move may indicate strategic positioning rather than creative uncertainty.

For now, Far, Far Away is still on the map, just slightly further away than first expected.