Shrek saga continues: Trailer drops for fifth installment after 16-year wait

Shrek 5: The first trailer stirs up nostalgia; the green ogre will return to theaters in 2027. The voice cast will include Zendaya, among others.

Some stories define an era in animated cinema, and among them, it’s impossible not to mention the grumpiest ogre—and the one most loved by children (and adults alike). Well, today—16 years after “Shrek 4: Happily Ever After” (a film that, back in 2010, seemed to have sealed the fate of its protagonists forever)— DreamWorks is once again setting the hearts of millennials and many others racing.

The studio has surprised everyone by unveiling the first trailer for Shrek 5, pointing audiences toward a date already marked in red on their calendar: the film will hit theaters on June 30, 2027. At the helm of this return are directors Walt Dohrn, Conrad Vernon, and Brad Ableson—three longtime veterans of the studio who know the saga’s true essence and original spirit inside and out.

A new visual style

The first glimpse of these never-before-seen images evokes a bittersweet feeling. While, on the one hand, the biting irony and irreverent atmosphere of the swamp have miraculously remained intact, on the other, the aesthetic style marks a clear break from the past. The production team has, in fact, introduced a visually striking change in animation that modernizes the saga’s visual style by adapting it to current digital technologies.

This transformation also extends to the first hints about the plot. Time has passed, even for fairy-tale monsters. The story, steeped in a strong family-friendly vibe, will see Shrek and Fiona join forces to save their eldest daughter, Princess Felicia. A journey that promises to bring back the iconic sidekick, Donkey, and the indomitable Little Cookie, both guardians of timeless humor.

Voices from the past meet the future

The true thrill of nostalgia, however, lies in the soundtrack. The film’s original version pulls off the miracle of reuniting the legendary 2001 cast: Mike Myers’ deep voice will roar once more as the protagonist, Cameron Diaz’s sweetness will breathe new life into Fiona, and Eddie Murphy’s inimitable rhythm will once again bring Donkey to life.

Alongside these giants of the screen, the future is knocking at the door with the arrival of global superstar Zendaya, chosen to play the adult version of Felicia, while Skyler Gisondo and Marcello Hernandez will lend their voices to Farkle and Fergus. The possible return of Antonio Banderas, the original voice of Puss in Boots, remains shrouded in mystery, as his name is currently absent from the credits.