Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation’s Shrek 5 will now be released on Wednesday, December 23, 2026, instead of its previously scheduled date of July 1, 2025.
In a related move, the studio announced on Friday that Illumination’s Minions 3 will be moved up from June 30, 2027, to take the July 2026 release slot that was originally allocated for Shrek 5.
This shift comes as the Minions and Despicable Me franchise, led by Gru and his yellow sidekicks, has long dominated the Independence Day weekend, most recently with Despicable Me 4, which earned a global opening of $230 million last summer.
Alongside these changes, Universal is also rescheduling an untitled event movie from Illumination. The film will now open on Wednesday, June 30, 2027, instead of its previous release date of March 19, 2027.
Shrek 5 is set to celebrate DreamWorks Animation’s 25th anniversary. The beloved cast, including Mike Myers as Shrek, Eddie Murphy as Donkey, and Cameron Diaz as Fiona, are all reportedly returning for their iconic roles.
The film is being helmed by Shrek franchise veterans Walt Dohrn and Conrad Vernon. Dohrn, known for his work on the Trolls franchise, contributed to the second and third Shrek films as a writer and artist, and served as Head of Story on the fourth installment.
Additionally, Dohrn voiced the character of Rumpelstiltskin in Shrek Forever After. Vernon, who directed Shrek 2 and Madagascar 2, also voiced the character of Gingerbread Man (aka Gingy).
The film is produced by returning producer Gina Shay, who also worked on the Trolls films and Shrek Forever After, along with Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri, the force behind the Despicable Me, Minions, Super Mario Bros. Movie, Sing, and Secret Life of Pets franchises.
The film will also be co-directed by Brad Ableson, known for his work on Minions: The Rise of Gru and The Simpsons.
The Shrek series, with its four films, has earned over $2.9 billion worldwide, leading to a host of spin-offs, including a live-touring show, a Broadway musical that garnered eight Tony nominations and 12 Drama Desk nominations, as well as an immersive attraction at Universal Studios in London and other Universal Studios Parks around the world.
Minions 3, which will now debut in 2026, is written by Brian Lynch, who worked on the Minions and Secret Life of Pets films. The film is directed by Oscar nominee Pierre Coffin, who directed the first three Despicable Me films and the original Minions film.
Coffin has also voiced the Minions since their debut in 2010. The movie is produced by Meledandri and Bill Ryan, who served as an executive producer for the Super Mario Bros. Movie.
The Despicable Me and Minions franchises, which together have grossed over $5 billion worldwide, continue to be major players in the global film industry.
