‘Shrek 5’ Pushed to December 2026, ‘Minions 3’ Moves Up to July 2026

Shrek and the Minions will both be on the big screen in 2026.

Universal Pictures announced Friday that the highly-anticipated animated movies are swapping their theatrical release dates, with DreamWorks Animation’s “Shrek 5” pushing back from July 1, 2026 to Wednesday, Dec. 23, while Illumination’s “Minions 3” moves into that summer 2026 window from its planned June 30, 2027 date.

Universal has also shifted the release of an untitled Illumination event film from March 19, 2027 to the June date.

While December 2026 might seem far, far away, “Shrek 5” arrives in time for the franchise’s 25th anniversary and marks the grand return of original “Shrek” stars Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz to voice Shrek, Donkey and Fiona.

Beginning with 2001’s “Shrek” (which won the first Oscar for best animated feature), the four “Shrek” films have earned more than $2.9 billion worldwide, spawning a global live-touring show and an award-winning Broadway musical that earned eight Tony nominations and 12 Drama Desk nominations, as well as an immersive tourist destination in London and attractions across Universal Studios Parks.

“Shrek 5” will be directed by franchise veterans Walt Dohrn (who worked on the second and third films as a writer and artist; as Head of Story on the fourth film; and voiced Rumpelstilskin in “Shrek Forever After”) and Conrad Vernon (who directed “Shrek 2” and “Madagascar 2” and is the voice of Gingerbread Man aka Gingy).

Returning to produce are Gina Shay (who produced “Shrek Forever After” as well as the “Trolls” movies) and Illumination founder and CEO and Academy Award-nominee Chris Meledandri (who is also behind the “Despicable Me” and “Minions” franchises, as well as “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” “Sing” and “Secret Life of Pets” films). The film will be co-directed by Brad Ableson (“Minions: The Rise of Gru,” “The Simpsons”).

Meanwhile, “Minions 3” follows the blockbuster success of “Despicable Me 4,” which opened to $230 million worldwide over July 4 weekend as the franchise continues to dominate Independence Day weekend at the box office. More than 10 years since the highlighter-yellow critters and their supervillain boss Gru debuted, the “Despicable Me” and “Minions” movies have grossed nearly $5 billion at the global box office.

“Minions 3” is written by Brian Lynch (“Minions,” “The Secret Life of Pets” films) and will be directed by Academy Award-nominee Pierre Coffin (a director of the first three “Despicable Me” films and the first “Minions”). Coffin has also provided the voice for the Minions since their film debut in 2010. The film will be produced by Meledandri and by Bill Ryan (executive producer of “The Super Mario Bros. Movie”).