‘Shrek 5’ Pushed Back Half a Year, Untitled Illumination Pic Slated for Spring 2027

Audiences’ return trip to Far Far Away has been pushed back again, leaving fans kicking their heels in the ol’ ogre swamp for another six months. Universal Pictures announced today that DreamWorks Animation’s Shrek 5 will now arrive in theaters on Wednesday, June 30, 2027. The film was previously set for a Christmas release on December 23, 2026, and prior to that for July 1, 2026.

DreamWorks is bringing the hybrid feature Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie to theaters on September 26, with upcoming titles including Forgotten Island (Sept. 25, 2026), live-action How to Train Your Dragon 2 (June 11, 2027) and CoComelon: The Movie (2027).

The move takes over the slot previously occupied by an Untitled Illumination Event Film, which now aims to hit the big screen a bit earlier, on Friday, April 16, 2027.

Illumination has The Super Mario Bros. Movie sequel coming up on April 3, 2026 and Minions 3 on July 1, 2026; its undated projects include threequels for The Secret Life of Pets and Sing, Steven Spielberg’s Big Tree, a Donkey Kong spin-off, a project with Pharrell (Piece by Piece) and a fully-animated Barbie movie with Mattel.

Promising “a thrilling new adventure,” Shrek 5 welcomes back franchise voice stars Mike Myers (Austin Powers films, Bohemian Rhapsody), Oscar nominee Eddie Murphy (Beverly Hills Cop franchise, Dreamgirls) — who is also recording for a spinoff film featuring his character — and Cameron Diaz (Charlie’s Angels franchise, Bad Teacher) return to their signature roles as Shrek, Donkey and Fiona, and will be joined by Zendaya as the voice of Shrek and Fiona’s daughter, Felicia.

Shrek 5 is directed by franchise veterans Conrad Vernon and Walt Dohrn. Vernon’s directing credits include Shrek 2 and Madagascar 2, and he is the voice of Gingerbread Man (a.k.a. Gingy) in the Shrek films. Dohrn (Trolls franchise) worked on the second and third Shrek films as a writer and artist and as head of story on the fourth film, and voiced the character of Rumpelstilskin in Shrek Forever After.

The film will be produced by returning producer Gina Shay (Trolls franchise), who produced Shrek Forever After, and by Illumination CEO and Academy Award nominee Chris Meledandri (Despicable Me and Minions franchise, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Sing and Secret Life of Pets films). The film will be co-directed by Brad Ableson (Minions: The Rise of Gru, The Simpsons).

Based on the book by William Steig. the blockbuster franchise began in 2001 with Shrek, the winner of the first ever Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Since then, the adventures of Shrek, Donkey and Fiona have become enmeshed in pop culture. The four Shrek franchise films have earned more than $2.9 billion worldwide, spawning a global live-touring show, an award-winning Broadway musical that earned eight Tony nominations and 12 Drama Desk nominations, an immersive destination in London and a popular events and attractions across Universal Studios Parks worldwide. The Shrekiverse also encompasses hugely successful consuumer products campaigns, digital extensions and a global animation exhibition tour.