Though the sequel is no longer set to hit theaters for a franchise anniversary, the release date for Shrek 5 has still been pushed back. Rumors of a fifth film from DreamWorks have circulated for over a decade.

Producer Chris Meledandri confirmed early in 2023 that “rumblings were building,” revealing that Cameron Diaz, Mike Myers, and Eddie Murphy were all discussions to return. The trio would officially be added to the cast of Shrek 5, which is set to be released to theaters in July 2024 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the franchise.

The Hollywood Reporter has revealed that Shrek 5’s release date is being postponed, a few months after the studio declared it was scheduled for a Summer 2026 release date. The animated follow-up starring Mike Myers will now be released on December 23, 2026, five months after its initial July 1 release date. Universal has also moved the already-titled Minions 3 to that date, moving it up almost a full year from its initial June 30, 2027 release date.

What The New Shrek 5 Release Date Means

The franchise’s 25th anniversary celebration is somewhat hampered by Shrek 5’s move to December 2026, even if it still opens in theaters that year. The series’ first film was released in theaters in May 2001, therefore even if its planned July 1 release date would have been postponed, it would have been near enough for the studio to think of holding special events before it came out.

The fact that Shrek 5 will now have to contend with some fierce rivals ahead of its revised release date, however, is more significant than the franchise celebration. The long-gestating Jumanji 4, the just revealed Ice Age 6, and an unidentified Denis Villeneuve event film will all be released in the weeks before the sequel, which is currently the only movie scheduled for Christmas 2026 weekend. See the following calendar for the December 2026 release dates:

The 10-year break between the fifth and sixth movies of the Ice Age franchise is probably going to help its chances at the box office, even though the previous installment, Collision Course, may have witnessed a sharp drop. In a similar vein, all three Jumanji films have emerged as fierce rivals at the December box office, with Welcome to the Jungle having to contend with both Star Wars: The Last Jedi and The Greatest Showman, outperforming both in its second through fourth weekends and taking the top spot in its eighth.

Our Opinion on the New Release Date for Shrek 5

Even while Jumanji 4 and Ice Age 6 will present some competition, Shrek 5 is still expected to win when it comes to its December 2026 release date. Given that it has been longer since a mainline installment in the former was released and that the most recent installment, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, was one of the best Shrek films to date, I believe that more people will flock to see those characters return. Fans of the franchise still have far more positive opinions of it than they did of the Ice Age series.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

More : News