Movies

‘Shrek 5’ finally has a release date — find out which cast members are returning

Shrek is back.

DreamWorks Animation announced Tuesday that “Shrek 5” will be released on July 1, 2026.

Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz and Eddie Murphy will reprise their roles as Shrek, Princess Fiona and Donkey, respectively.

“Shrek 5” will hit theaters July 1, 2026. DreamWorks

“Not too Far, Far Away…@Shrek 5 is coming to theaters on July 1, 2026 with Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz,” the studio wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

The title character of “Shrek 2” is voiced by Mike Myers.
Mike Myers (from left), Cameron Diaz and Eddie Murphy attend the 2001 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards. Getty Images

It’s unclear if Antonio Banderas, who plays Puss in Boots in the animated franchise, will return.

“Shrek 5” will be directed by Walt Dohrn with Brad Ableson as co-director, according to Variety.

The poster for “Shrek” ©DreamWorks/Courtesy Everett Collection
Donkey, Shrek and Princess Fiona © DreamWorks Animation LLC.
Shrek and Donkey star in “Shrek Forever After.” ©Paramount/Courtesy Everett Coll

Dohrn, 53, was a writer and animator on the second and third “Shrek” films. He served as head of story on the fourth film, where he also voiced Rumpelstiltskin.

The fifth movie will be produced by Gina Shay, who worked on the fourth film, and Illumination founder Chris Meledandri.

Mike Myers (from left), Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz at the “Shrek 4” premiere in May 2010. WireImage

The beloved film series started with 2001’s “Shrek” and spawned three sequels — 2004’s “Shrek 2,” 2007’s “Shrek the Third” and 2010’s “Shrek Forever After.”

There have also been two spinoffs based on Banderas’ character — 2011’s “Puss in Boots” and 2022’s “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.”

 The franchise has grossed more than $4 billion at the worldwide box office.

Fiona and Shrek with their kids in “Shrek Forever After.” AP

Meledandri, 65, confirmed in April that “Shrek 5” was in the works with the original cast in talks to return.

“We anticipate the cast coming back. Talks are starting now, and every indication that we’ve gotten is there’s tremendous enthusiasm on behalf of the actors to return,” Meledandri told Variety at the time.

Murphy, 63, gave a major update on the movie last month.

“We started doing [‘Shrek 5’] months ago,” the actor and comedian said in an interview with Collider.

Eddie Murphy at the “Candy Cane Lane” premiere in November 2023. Getty Images

“I recorded the first act, and we’ll be doing it this year, we’ll finish it up,” he added.

Murphy also confirmed that a Donkey spinoff is in the works.

Myers, 61, previously expressed interest in returning to the franchise.

Mike Myers at the 49th AFI Life Achievement Award tribute to Nicole Kidman on April 27, 2024. Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP

“There’s an emotional center there,” he said to GQ in 2022 about playing Shrek. “You know the old joke: I wouldn’t want to be a member of a club that would have me as a member. I have always felt that way. The concept of going from a self-loathing ogre to a self-accepting ogre was meaningful to me.”

Cameron Diaz at the 2024 BottleRock Napa Valley festival. London Entertainment/Shutterstock

Diaz, 51, retired from acting in 2018, but she returned to the industry for the Netflix flick “Back in Action” which comes out later this year.

“Shrek 5” will only be her second movie in the last decade.