The fifth ‘Shrek’ installment will now hit theaters December 23, 2026, while the third ‘Despicable Me’ spinoff film moves up one year to take the vacated July 1, 2026 spot.
Universal Pictures has shaken up their upcoming film slate, moving the release of DreamWorks Animation’s Shrek 5 from July 1, 2026 to December 23, 2026. Illumination’s Minions 3 will take over the vacated slot, pivoting up an entire year from the previously announced June 30, 2027 date. An “Untitled Illumination Event Film” will shift from March 19, 2027 to the June 30, 2027 spot.
Longtime DreamWorks Animation collaborator and animation veteran Conrad Vernon (Shrek 2, The Addams Family animated film franchise) has returned to direct Shrek 5 alongside Walt Dohrn (Trolls Band Together, Trolls World Tour). Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz will return to their signature roles as Shrek, Donkey and Fiona.
Minions 3 will be directed by Pierre Coffin, (first three Despicable Me films, Minions) from a script by Brian Lynch (Minions, The Secret Life of Pets films). Coffin has lent his voice to the Minions since their film debut in 2010.
Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri (Despicable Me and Minions franchise, Secret Life of Pets films) will produce both films alongside Gina Shay (Trolls franchise, Shrek Forever After) for Shrek 5 and Bill Ryan (The Super Mario Bros. Movie) for Minions 3.
Source: NBCUniversal
Journalist, antique shop owner, aspiring gemologist—L'Wren brings a diverse perspective to animation, where every frame reflects her varied passions.
