Universal Pictures shuffles its release schedule, pushing back Shrek 5 to December 23, 2026, while Minions 3, a Despicable Me spin-off, retains its original July 1, 2026, premiere.
Variety reports this scheduling change, aligning Minions 3 with the traditional Independence Day box office success of the Despicable Me franchise. Shrek 5, conversely, aims for the lucrative holiday season, marking its return after a 16-year hiatus.
Initially announced in 2016, the sequel remained largely dormant until 2023 when Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri confirmed its active development, hinting at a potential Donkey spin-off.
Eddie Murphy, the voice of Donkey, corroborated the project's progress a year later, further fueling speculation about the Donkey spin-off. "We started working on Shrek 5 months ago," he stated. "I've recorded the first act, and we'll finish it this year. Shrek is coming out, and Donkey's getting his own movie."
The release of Shrek 5 will coincide with the 25th anniversary of the original Shrek film (2001), a milestone for the beloved franchise. The series includes sequels Shrek 2 (2004), Shrek the Third (2007), and Shrek Forever After (2010).
The Puss in Boots spin-offs have also proven successful, with the first released in 2011 and the critically acclaimed Puss in Boots: The Last Wish in 2022. The latter received glowing reviews, including a 9/10 score from IGN, which praised its "stunning animation and poignant, surprisingly mature story," calling it "the Shrek franchise's answer to Logan."
