"Shrek 5 Release Postponed, Swaps Dates with Minions 3"

Universal Pictures has recently reshuffled the release dates for two of its highly anticipated animated films. Shrek 5, originally set for an earlier release, has been postponed to December 23, 2026. This adjustment allows the film to capitalize on the lucrative holiday season, marking the first mainline Shrek movie in 16 years.

In a strategic move, Universal has slotted the Despicable Me spin-off, Minions 3, into Shrek 5's former slot. Minions 3 will now hit theaters on July 1, 2026, aligning with the tradition of the Despicable Me franchise's successful releases during the Independence Day weekend.

The announcement of Shrek 5 came in 2016, but progress was slow until 2023 when Chris Meledandri, CEO of Illumination, confirmed its active development. Alongside Shrek 5, Meledandri expressed interest in a Donkey spin-off. Eddie Murphy, who voices Donkey, provided further updates in the following year, stating, "We started doing [Shrek 5] months ago. I did this, I recorded the first act, and we'll be doing it this year. We’ll finish it up. Shrek is coming out, and Donkey's gonna have his own movie. We're gonna do Donkey as well."

The release of Shrek 5 will coincide with the franchise's 25th anniversary, as the original Shrek film debuted in 2001. The series continued with Shrek 2 in 2004, Shrek the Third in 2007, and Shrek Forever After in 2010.

Additionally, the Shrek universe has expanded with the Puss in Boots spin-offs. The first film was released in 2011, followed by Puss in Boots: The Last Wish in 2022. The latter received exceptional acclaim, earning a 9/10 from IGN. IGN praised it as, "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish mixes stunning animation with a poignant, surprisingly mature story to deliver the Shrek franchise's answer to Logan we didn't know we needed."