Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation have pushed the release of Shrek 5 to June 30, 2027. The studio announced the scheduling change today, moving the film roughly six months from its previously set December 23, 2026 date and about a year from an earlier July 1, 2026 plan.
No official reason was given for the delay. The shift also prompted another scheduling change: an untitled Illumination event film will now premiere April 16, 2027, taking the late-June slot vacated by Shrek 5.
Shrek 5 was first announced with a 2026 release window and marks the first mainline Shrek film since 2010’s Shrek Forever After. DreamWorks has kept story details mostly under wraps, but casting and production updates have come out over the past year. Zendaya, known for Spider-Man and Dune, is confirmed to voice Shrek and Fiona’s daughter. Original leads Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz are also set to return. A brief 30-second trailer released in March revealed an updated visual style for the franchise and offered a glimpse of Zendaya’s character.
What this means for fans
– The wait for a new Shrek movie continues, but the extra time could allow the studio to refine the updated animation style and promotional rollout.
– With much of the original principal cast returning and a high-profile new addition in Zendaya, the film aims to blend legacy appeal with fresh energy.
– The change in the release calendar suggests broader scheduling adjustments at the studios, possibly to optimize box office timing or production timelines.
Additional comments and context
– Studios commonly shift release dates for animation to allow more production time, to avoid crowded holiday windows, or to align marketing strategies. While DreamWorks and Universal didn’t explain this particular change, any of those reasons—or combination of them—could be behind the move.
– Fans who want a refresher can rewatch the original Shrek films and the Puss in Boots spin-offs while anticipation builds.
– The presence of Zendaya may attract younger audiences and cross-generational interest, giving the franchise a chance to expand its fanbase.
Brief summary
Shrek 5 has been delayed to June 30, 2027, from its previously scheduled late-2026 release. The film brings back Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz and adds Zendaya as Shrek and Fiona’s daughter. DreamWorks and Universal gave no official reason for the postponement; an untitled Illumination film will now debut in April 2027.
Hopeful angle
The extra production time could lead to a more polished film and better marketing, helping to revitalize a beloved franchise and introduce Shrek to a new generation.