DreamWorks Animation has released the first glimpse at the highly anticipated film movie in the Shrek franchise and comes more than 15 years after Shrek Forever After. A lot has changed in Hollywood since then. So, it makes sense why DreamWorks' production studio would make some alterations and updates to the franchise's animation style.

Shrek 5 is scheduled to be released in theaters on December 23, 2026 — 16 years after Shrek Forever After's premiere and four years following the debut of the franchise's last film, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.

As previously announced, Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz will all reprise their roles as Shrek, Donkey, and Fiona, respectively, in the cast of Shrek 5. However, not much else was known about the 2026 sequel before the release of the aforementioned video in February 2025. Thanks to Shrek 5's teaser trailer, though, a new cast member has been announced, and we now know what the movie will look like.

Shrek 5 Has A Different Visual Style From The Previous Movies

The Film's Teaser Footage Previews Shrek's New Look

The first Shrek 5 trailer reveals that the franchise's animation style has changed drastically since Shrek Forever After in 2010. It's slightly more photorealistic, falling more in line with visuals in modern movies. Animation styles have been altered and reformed in the years since Shrek last graced the big screen, and DreamWorks Animation is seemingly keeping up with the times while developing Shrek 5. Technology has simply improved since the 2010s, resulting in Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey's new look.

In the first glimpse at Shrek 5's updated animation style, Shrek, Donkey, Fiona, and Shrek and Fiona's daughter, Felicia (voiced by new Shrek cast member Zendaya), stand in front of the Magic Mirror. Donkey asks the enchanted object who the fairest of them all is. The Magic Mirror responds, "Why, Shrek, of course," and starts showing them memes of Mike Myers' popular character. One is a photoshopped picture of Shrek's head on a muscular body, which grosses out Felicia and entices Fiona. When Shrek ponders who would make these images, Pinocchio appears and says, "Not me," resulting in his nose growing.

The Shrek Movies Have Had A Uniform Style Until Now (With One Exception)

Puss In Boots: The Last Wish Is The Only Outlier

The first four Shrek movies — Shrek, Shrek 2, Shrek the Third, and Shrek Forever After — all shared the same animation style. However, the uniform appearance ends in the fifth film. At least, in the main series as opposed to spinoffs. The animated fantasy comedy isn't the only installment in the Shrek franchise that leans more into photorealism. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, which premiered in December 2022, also utilized the "3D that looks like 2D" method.

Shrek 5 doesn't appear to be completely copying Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, but it will be inspired by it. According to Shrek 5 trailer uses MoonRay, a newer animation engine designed by Dreamworks that was introduced in Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. The 2022 movie received praise for its animation style (along with many other qualities). So, it's understandable why the production studio would want to take what was successful in Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and apply it to Shrek 5. The sixth installment in the Shrek franchise was nominated for an Oscar and was a box office success, after all.

It Might Take A While For Us To Get Used To Shrek 5's New Look

The Change From Shrek Forever After To Shrek 5 Is Jarring

Given that DreamWorks released four films featuring Shrek, Donkey, Fiona, and the other Shrek characters in the same animation style, watching the Shrek 5 teaser trailer is a bit jarring. We are used to seeing this fictional world in one light, and that old interpretation will be abandoned going forward. It's understandable why DreamWorks is altering Shrek's design, though.

Nevertheless, the premiere of Shrek 5 is still more than a year away, and we have only seen a 30-second glimpse at the movie, meaning things (like animation styles) can change.

The film industry has changed and adapted to new technologies, resulting in more realistic animation. Still, it will be an adjustment. Nevertheless, the premiere of Shrek 5 is still more than a year away, and we have only seen a 30-second glimpse at the movie, meaning things (like animation styles) can change.

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Shrek 5

Animation

Family

Comedy

Fantasy

Release Date

December 23, 2026

Director

Walt Dohrn, Conrad Vernon, Brad Ableson

Writers

Michael McCullers, Christopher Meledandri, William Steig

Producers

Chris Meledandri, Gina Shay

Cast

See All

• 
  Zendaya

  Felicia
• 
  Eddie Murphy

  Donkey (voice)
• 
  Cameron Diaz

  Princess Fiona (voice)
• 
  Mike Myers

  Shrek (voice)

Shrek 5 is the fifth installment in the popular animated film series.

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Source: Forbes