DreamWorks Animation has whipped up a storm of excitement with the announcement that a fifth Shrek film is in the works, and production is already forging ahead.

The beloved animation studio took to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, to share the happy news, stating: "Not too Far, Far Away... @Shrek 5 is coming to theatres on July 1, 2026 with Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz."

Walt Dohrn, who lent his creative talents as a writer and artist to the second and third chapters of the Shrek saga and served as Head of Story for the fourth, will be at the helm as director for this latest adventure.

The buzz around Shrek's return was further fuelled by Eddie Murphy, the iconic voice behind Donkey, during an interview with Collider, where he divulged: "We started doing 'Shrek' four or five months ago. I recorded the first act, and we'll be doing it this year. We'll finish it up."

While fans may have to wait until 2026 to see their favourite ogre on the big screen again, those itching for a dose of Shrek can find solace in streaming the first four films, which are available across various platforms.

However, Netflix subscribers might be feeling a bit green with envy as the original Shrek movie is set to depart from the streaming service come July, clearing the way for a fresh selection of cinematic hits.

Currently, none of the Shrek films are available to stream for free, but for those keen on revisiting the magical world of Far Far Away, there are still ways to watch.

Where to stream the Shrek films in the UK

Shrek, Shrek 2, Shrek The Third and Shrek Forever After are all available to stream on NOW TV. Subscribers can access the entertainment package for a monthly fee of £9.99.

This package comes with a seven-day free trial, allowing users to cancel at any point within this period before being charged their first monthly payment.

Alternatively, Prime Video also offers all four films, available to rent for £3.49 each or to purchase for £5.99.

The original Shrek film, released in 2001, follows the story of an ogre named Shrek (voiced by Mike Myers) whose swamp home is invaded by fairytale creatures banished by Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow).

Following the success of the first film, sequels Shrek 2, Shrek The Third and Shrek Forever After were released in 2004, 2007 and 2010 respectively.

Additionally, the character Puss in Boots (voiced by Antonio Banderas) was given two spin-off films: Puss in Boots in 2011 and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish in 2022.

Shrek proved to be a box office sensation, becoming the fourth highest-grossing film of 2001. This success helped establish DreamWorks Animation as a major player in the animation industry, rivalling the likes of Pixar.