Shrek in 2001’s ‘Shrek’; Shrek in 2025’s ‘Shrek 5’.Photo:Pictorial Press Ltd/Alamy Stock Photo; Universal Pictures/YouTube
Pictorial Press Ltd/Alamy Stock Photo; Universal Pictures/YouTube
Shrek is back — and his new look has all of Duloc, and the internet, talking.After a lengthy hiatus for theShrekfranchise, a new trailer forShrek 5dropped on Feb. 27, showing the return ofMike Meyer’s Shrek andCameron Diaz’s Fiona as well as their pal Donkey (Eddie Murphy). Despite the reveal thatZendayawill voice Shrek and Fiona’s daughter Felicia, many fans on social media have been more focused on how the characters from the magical land of Far Far Away have aged.In the trailer, Shrek and Fiona return as middle-aged parents, watching as the Magic Mirror plays a “Shrek” montage (even including a viral TikTok gif of Shrek dancing in black leather).Since the trailer dropped, fans have taken to social media to make memes from the trailer or express surprise over the ogre and his family’s new looks.On X, one userwrote“What did they do to him” along with crying face emojis.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Another user shared an image fromThe Simpsonsof Lisa and Bart Simpson’s doppelgangers Brandon and Eliza along with thecaption“The Shrek 5 trailer.”One fan defended the apparent changes, notingPuss in Boots: The Last Wish, a spin-off from theShrekfilms, featured well-received animation.Some others disagreed, though, referencingThe Last Wishas a good change andShrek 5’s animation style as a not-so-welcomed shift.There have even been suggestions to encourage Dreamworks and Universal, who produce and distribute the film respectively, to make changes toShrek 5’s animation.Anything is possible, as fan criticism over the firstSonicmovie and its original design for the blue hedgehog actually got aresponse from director Jeff Fowler. That movie was delayed for three months while “design changes” were made, as Fowler shared.TheSonicmovies' TikTok accounthas even reacted toShrek 5’s backlash, posting a video saying “Any green ogres looking for advice, take notes” while showing a transition from the highly-criticized original design for Sonic tothe revised designof the speedy blue hedgehog that made it to theaters.While there are not many details about the plot ofShrek 5, given the franchise’s history, audiences can expect a continuation of Shrek’s adventures paired with humor and plenty of pop culture puns.Shrek 5hits theaters Dec. 23, 2026.
Shrek is back — and his new look has all of Duloc, and the internet, talking.
After a lengthy hiatus for theShrekfranchise, a new trailer forShrek 5dropped on Feb. 27, showing the return ofMike Meyer’s Shrek andCameron Diaz’s Fiona as well as their pal Donkey (Eddie Murphy). Despite the reveal thatZendayawill voice Shrek and Fiona’s daughter Felicia, many fans on social media have been more focused on how the characters from the magical land of Far Far Away have aged.
In the trailer, Shrek and Fiona return as middle-aged parents, watching as the Magic Mirror plays a “Shrek” montage (even including a viral TikTok gif of Shrek dancing in black leather).
Since the trailer dropped, fans have taken to social media to make memes from the trailer or express surprise over the ogre and his family’s new looks.
On X, one userwrote“What did they do to him” along with crying face emojis.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Another user shared an image fromThe Simpsonsof Lisa and Bart Simpson’s doppelgangers Brandon and Eliza along with thecaption“The Shrek 5 trailer.”
One fan defended the apparent changes, notingPuss in Boots: The Last Wish, a spin-off from theShrekfilms, featured well-received animation.
Some others disagreed, though, referencingThe Last Wishas a good change andShrek 5’s animation style as a not-so-welcomed shift.
There have even been suggestions to encourage Dreamworks and Universal, who produce and distribute the film respectively, to make changes toShrek 5’s animation.
Anything is possible, as fan criticism over the firstSonicmovie and its original design for the blue hedgehog actually got aresponse from director Jeff Fowler. That movie was delayed for three months while “design changes” were made, as Fowler shared.
TheSonicmovies' TikTok accounthas even reacted toShrek 5’s backlash, posting a video saying “Any green ogres looking for advice, take notes” while showing a transition from the highly-criticized original design for Sonic tothe revised designof the speedy blue hedgehog that made it to theaters.
While there are not many details about the plot ofShrek 5, given the franchise’s history, audiences can expect a continuation of Shrek’s adventures paired with humor and plenty of pop culture puns.
Shrek 5hits theaters Dec. 23, 2026.
source: people.com
