Universal Pictures shuffles its release schedule, pushing back Shrek 5 to December 23, 2026, while Minions 3, a Despicable Me spin-off, retains its original July 1, 2026, premiere.

Variety reports this scheduling change. The Minions sequel will thus capitalize on the lucrative Independence Day box office, a tradition for the Despicable Me franchise. Shrek 5, conversely, aims for the lucrative holiday season, marking its return after a 16-year hiatus.

Initially announced in 2016, Shrek 5 remained dormant for years until 2023 when Chris Meledandri, Illumination CEO, confirmed its development and hinted at a potential Donkey spin-off.

Eddie Murphy, the voice of Donkey, corroborated the project's progress in 2024, further fueling speculation about the Donkey spin-off. "We started working on [Shrek 5] months ago," he stated. "I recorded the first act, and we'll finish it this year. Shrek is coming out, and Donkey's getting his own movie."

Shrek 5's release will coincide with the 25th anniversary of the original Shrek film, which debuted in 2001. Subsequent installments, Shrek 2, Shrek the Third, and Shrek Forever After, were released in 2004, 2007, and 2010 respectively.

The popular Puss in Boots spin-off series has also seen success, with the first film in 2011 and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish receiving critical acclaim in 2022. IGN awarded the latter a 9/10, praising its "stunning animation" and "poignant, surprisingly mature story," calling it "the Shrek franchise's answer to Logan we didn't know we needed."