One of the most beloved animated franchises in cinema history is making its long-awaited return. The first official trailer for Shrek 5 has arrived, and it confirms that the green ogre, his princess, and his endlessly talkative donkey companion are ready to cause chaos once again.

Universal Pictures released the first trailer on Tuesday, more than a year ahead of the film's scheduled June 30, 2027, theatrical debut. The clip instantly sent fans of the franchise into a frenzy, offering the first real look at what the fifth chapter of this iconic fairy-tale world will bring. 

Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, and Eddie Murphy return to their signature roles as Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey — the trio that turned a swamp-dwelling ogre into one of the most recognizable animated characters in pop culture history. 

Joining the franchise is Emmy Award-winning superstar Zendaya, who voices Felicia, the grown-up daughter of Shrek and Fiona. Marcello Hernandez, known for Saturday Night Live and Happy Gilmore 2, and Skyler Gisondo, known for Superman and Booksmart, join as Felicia's brothers, Fergus and Farkle. The addition of three beloved children to the family dynamic opens up a whole new layer of storytelling possibilities for the franchise. 

The destination this time is Further Further Away, a new setting that gives the sequel plenty of room to throw its characters into fresh trouble and take a few swings at the modern fairy-tale landscape. The trailer opens in classic Shrek fashion — with a storybook narrator recapping the original tale before Donkey cheerfully interrupts to announce it is time for a makeover. 

The new trailer also hints at a refreshed visual style. Shrek's face now shows more wrinkles and texture, and Donkey's fur appears more detailed than in any previous film. The animation upgrade is subtle but noticeable, suggesting the production team has worked to modernize the look while preserving the warmth and charm that fans fell in love with over two decades ago. 

Among the highlights of the trailer is the return of Gingy, the beloved Gingerbread Man, who gets a hilarious upgrade by attaching gumdrop candies to his backside and declaring himself "caked up like a friggin' bakery." The film also features a creepy snowman character who appears to be a parody of Olaf from Disney's Frozen, leaning into the franchise's long tradition of poking fun at rival animated properties and popular culture. 

The trailer closes with a scene that has already become a fan favourite moment online. Shrek, Fiona, their three kids, and Donkey all find themselves locked together in a jail cell. Rather than accepting the situation quietly, Donkey launches into an enthusiastic performance, belting out classic songs much to the visible frustration of Shrek. It is precisely the kind of absurd, layered humour that has made the franchise a multigenerational phenomenon.

Shrek 5 is set for release in theaters on June 30, 2027 — 17 years since the last main installment, Shrek Forever After, arrived in 2010. The gap between films is one of the longest in major animation franchise history, and anticipation has been building steadily ever since the project was officially confirmed. 

The film is directed by Conrad Vernon and Walt Dohrn, both seasoned veterans of the Shrek universe. Vernon voiced the Gingerbread Man across the entire franchise and was part of the directing team on the Academy Award-nominated Shrek 2. Dohrn served as Head of Story on Shrek Forever After and voiced the villain Rumpelstiltskin in that film. Co-directing alongside them is Brad Ableson, whose credits include Minions: The Rise of Gru and The Simpsons. 

On the production side, Gina Shay returns as producer, having previously produced Shrek Forever After and the Trolls franchise. Joining her is Chris Meledandri, the Illumination CEO and Academy Award nominee behind the Super Mario, Despicable Me, and Minions franchises. The combination of franchise insiders and fresh production talent signals a serious investment in getting this long-awaited sequel right. 

In the years since the last Shrek film, the franchise has continued through spinoffs. Puss in Boots arrived in 2011, followed by its critically acclaimed sequel Puss in Boots: The Last Wish in 2022, which was praised for its animation style and emotional depth and helped reignite mainstream interest in the broader Shrek universe.

A standalone Donkey film is also in development at DreamWorks, with Eddie Murphy confirmed to lead the project. Production on the Donkey spinoff is expected to begin following the completion of Shrek 5. 

With its star-studded returning cast, a new generation of characters, a fresh setting, and the unmistakable brand of irreverent humour that defined an era of animated filmmaking, Shrek 5 is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated animated films in years. The swamp may have been quiet for nearly two decades, but it is clear the story is far from over.