The Shrek franchise is coming back in December 2026, and audiences are both excited and skeptical. Many fans are thrilled to see the return of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz, while others wonder if the series should have ended with its satisfying conclusion. The internet’s reaction to the trailer for “Shrek 5” has also been explosive, surfacing two pressing questions: why are we getting another Shrek movie after 16 years, and why does it look so different?
Hollywood loves bringing back old favorites. “The Incredibles 2” arrived 14 years after its predecessor, and “Toy Story 4” came nine years after “Toy Story 3.” DreamWorks knows there is money in Shrek as a character because meme culture has kept him culturally relevant, and “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” (2022) proved there is an existing audience, pulling in over $480 million globally. From a financial standpoint, “Shrek 5” was inevitable. The real question is whether audiences will accept and enjoy it.
But just because you can make another film, doesn’t mean you should. “Shrek Forever After (2010)” wrapped up the Shrek story nicely, with Shrek finally embracing family life and overcoming his self-doubt about belonging and commitment. Bringing him back now raises concerns about whether the story has something meaningful to add, or if DreamWorks is simply cashing in on nostalgia. If the film doesn’t offer something new, it won’t just be a bad movie; it risks undoing the satisfying conclusion fans have already accepted.
One of the biggest shocks for audience is the animation overhaul. DreamWorks has shifted toward an updated, stylized look, as seen in “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” — which took inspiration from “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.” While that approach worked for Puss, applying it to Shrek has sparked debate. Some fans have called it “Shrek on Ozempic,” and many are concerned about Donkey’s and Fiona’s designs as well.
Shrek was never meant to be visually charming. His original design was clunky, exaggerated and imperfect. His world was muddy and rough, not polished and smooth. If Shrek looks different, will audiences see him as the same lovable ogre? Or will this new version of Shrek feel like a stranger wearing his tough ogre skin?
Animation isn’t just a visual choice; it’s part of the storytelling. Changing the art style can alter how the characters and the film feel. “The Incredibles 2” managed to update its CGI while staying true to the original look, and “Toy Story 4” updated textures but stayed loyal to Woody and Buzz’s classic designs. The “Shrek 5” redesign, however, feels more like a departure than an upgrade. The animation style doesn’t need to be justified, but it does need to support the story. If the visuals feel uncharacteristic with Shrek’s world, the movie risks feeling disconnected from what made the series work in the first place. A visually pristine version of Shrek strips away the exaggerated features and charm that made the movie and character unique.
Another major concern is what “Shrek 5” will be about. The first Shrek film reimagined fairy tale tropes and challenged traditional notions of heroism. Its sequels explored self-acceptance, family and identity. If “Shrek 5” revisits old themes without adding anything new, it will feel redundant and pointless.
A potential saving grace for the film is Eddie Murphy, who recently stated that Donkey will have a more prominent role in “Shrek 5.” But if “Shrek 5” follows through the same motions without evolving its characters, it risks feeling like a shallow copy of what made the series great in the first place.
Sequels that are nostalgia-reliant are hit or miss. “Top Gun: Maverick” expanded on their original themes in a way that felt organic. People wondered if “The Matrix: Resurrections” needed to be made because it didn’t add much to the story. “Shrek 5” will have the same problem; it needs to bring back old characters in a way that feels new. But if it keeps what fans loved about the originals while adding something fresh, it could work.
At the end of the day, “Shrek 5” must prove that it’s not just another nostalgic cash grab. If it has a riveting plot, fans may overlook the redesign. If it relies too much on nostalgia, it could risk feeling out of place and be labeled as a failure, an addition to a finished series.
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