Universal and DreamWorks Delay Shrek 5 Release Date Again

Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation have once again postponed the release of Shrek 5. The film is now scheduled to hit theaters on June 30, 2027, instead of December 23, 2026. Notably, this marks the second delay for the movie—its premiere was originally set for July 2026.

The studio didn't specify the reason for the reschedule, but Universal has a strong track record with summer animated releases such as Despicable Me, How to Train Your Dragon, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

With the new release window, Shrek 5 will premiere less than a week before the animated film Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, which is set to debut on June 25, 2027.

At the same time, Universal Pictures has also shifted an untitled Illumination animated project to April 16, 2027, moving it up from its previously planned late June slot.

Shrek 5 will see the return of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz, with Zendaya joining the cast. The film will be directed by series veterans Conrad Vernon and Walt Dohrn.

The premiere will come 25 years after the original Shrek, which became a box office hit and won the first-ever Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

For reference, Eddie Murphy previously revealed that a Donkey spin-off in the style of Puss in Boots is also in the works.