Once more, the initial three Shrek films have climbed back into Netflix‘s global Top 10 list. Currently, Shrek is ranked second, Shrek 2 is fourth, and Shrek the Third is eighth. Although none of them have managed to break into the U.S. top 10 yet, this demonstrates that these animated classics continue to capture the hearts of viewers across the globe.
In 2001, when Shrek premiered, it marked one of the earliest ventures into animation for DreamWorks SKG, a studio founded in 1994 by the influential figures Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg, and David Geffen – heavyweights in both Hollywood and music. This establishment was groundbreaking, being the first significant studio in many years, and it was led by three of the most powerful players in entertainment. Following the successes of Schindler’s List and Jurassic Park, Spielberg was at the helm, Katzenberg had revitalized Disney’s animated film division, and Geffen was a titan in the music industry.
Under Katzenberg’s supervision, the initial animated films were “The Prince of Egypt,” featuring Val Kilmer, and “Antz,” starring Woody Allen and Sylvester Stallone, both debuting in 1998. Despite facing the might of Disney (and Pixar), “The Prince of Egypt” raked in a substantial $218.6 million worldwide, while “Antz” grossed $171.7 million globally.
Katzenberg oversaw the making of his first animated movies which included “The Prince of Egypt,” with Val Kilmer, and “Antz,” featuring Woody Allen and Sylvester Stallone. These films were released in 1998. Despite strong competition from Disney (and Pixar), “The Prince of Egypt” garnered a solid $218.6 million worldwide, while “Antz” made $171.7 million globally.
The movie, partially produced by Pacific Data Images (PDI), which DreamWorks had a stake in, was what truly established DreamWorks Animation. Known for Shrek’s voice by Mike Myers, Princess Fiona by Cameron Diaz, Donkey by Eddie Murphy, and Lord Farquaad by John Lithgow, this film became an enormous success, earning approximately $490 million worldwide on a reported budget of just $60 million. This massive profit helped transform DreamWorks Animation into a dominant force in the industry. Unlike Disney or Pixar films, it was edgy and unafraid to challenge conventions, yet still managed to maintain a PG rating due to its humor rather than explicit content.
Three installments came after, such as Shrek 2 in 2004, Shrek the Third in 2007, and Shrek Ever After in 2010. These movies were massive successes worldwide, and Universal Studios has a dedicated Shrek attraction at its Florida amusement park too.
‘Shrek 5’ Will Open 25 Years After the First Film
For more than twenty years, Shrek movies, special episodes, and side projects have been in production. The idea of Shrek 5 had been in development for just as long, until Katzenberg and the producers decided that Shrek Forever After, released in 2010, would be the last movie. There were whispers about it potentially going into production a decade ago, but it wasn’t until last July that the film was officially announced, following Murphy’s unintentional revelation while promoting Beverly Hills Cop IV.
It’s reasonable to assume that Shrek 5 will eventually be released; in fact, Inside Out 2 was the highest-grossing movie of 2024, and sequels for iconic films have been performing exceptionally well (Top Gun: Maverick broke box office records). Originally, Shrek 5 was slated to premiere 25 years after the first film on July 1, 2026, but it has since been delayed until December 23, 2026. The latest Minions sequel will take over its original release date instead. Exciting updates about the cast include the return of the original actors and a surprise comeback by Lithgow as Lord Farquaad.
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2025-02-13 02:06