It’s a pretty huge week for news surrounding the fifth film in various film franchises, this time it’s for Shrek 5. The first casting news and teaser for Shrek 5 were revealed today, and social media users around the world have let their opinions known. From “Ugly Sonic” comparisons, to “AI Generated Shrek”, there’s plenty of discussion about the new face-lift for everyone’s favourite Ogre ahead of his return to the big screen next year.
The reaction to the redesign has been a mix of intrigue, nostalgia, and inevitable internet overreaction. With the characters visibly older and the introduction of a teenage Felicia suggesting real-time progression, it’s clear that DreamWorks is acknowledging the passage of time within the Shrek universe. However, the shock of seeing these familiar faces in a new animation style has led to dramatic responses online, with some accusing the new look of being “AI-generated” or lacking the charm of the originals.
You can check out the cast announcement for Shrek 5 below:
Who Is In The ‘Shrek 5’ Cast?
This installment will see the reunion of the original voice cast, including Mike Myers as Shrek, Cameron Diaz as Princess Fiona, and Eddie Murphy as Donkey. Joining the ensemble is Zendaya, who will voice Felicia, the teenage daughter of Shrek and Fiona. It is currently unknown if Shrek and Fiona’s other children, Fergus and Farkle, will appear in Shrek 5. Pinocchio appears in the teaser, after appearing in Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, with Cody Cameron expected to reprise the role, though nothing is official yet, though it sounds identical to his previous voice work.
The film is directed by Walt Dohrn and Conrad Vernon, both veterans of the Shrek series. The release date has been strategically set to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the original Shrek film, aiming to attract audiences during the festive season.
When Does ‘Shrek 5’ Release?
Shrek 5 is set to release in theaters on December 23, 2026. The only other films currently set for December 2026 include the upcoming Dune sequel, speculated to be titled Dune: Messiah, as well as a new Jumanji film and Disney’s new Ice Age sequel.
The plot of Shrek 5 remains under wraps, but the inclusion of Shrek and Fiona’s daughter suggests a focus on the next generation in the land of Far, Far Away.
Some Of The Funniest Reactions To ‘Shrek 5’
Are The Designs Really That Bad?
I think it was inevitable a redesign was coming. With Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and the updated DreamWorks Animation intro, it was clear that the world of Far Far Away was due for a visual overhaul, almost getting a soft-reboot in the process, with a “reinvention” of the Shrek franchise having been teased for almost a decade now. The original designs are undeniably iconic, but with the last Shrek film releasing in 2010, technological advancements have made an update inevitable. I really like the updated look for Pinocchio, I think Fiona looks more like Cameron Diaz than ever before, which is a good thing, but I’m still unsure of the look of Shrek. There’s something slightly off about his new look that doesn’t sit right with me. The older Donkey makes me believe that he will be the craziest iteration of the character yet, sort of a conventional Mad, yet Fun uncle. I’m very mixed on the full roster of redesigns, I must admit – this is nowhere near as bad as Ugly Sonic, though.
More than likely, Dreamworks would have needed to produce new models for the characters, and this “reinvention” has called for a new design style, to coincide with the recent Puss In Boots overhaul too. Puss In Boots looked great in that feel, and whilst the online overreaction might be comical and has made for several memes, the bottom line is – like it or not, this film is hitting cinemas in December 2026 and is poised to dominate the box office. Given the franchise’s legacy and its prime holiday release, Shrek 5 is all but guaranteed to cross the $1 billion mark at the global box office.
Shrek 5 releases in theaters on December 23, 2026.
