Shrek 5: Cast Revealed – Who’s Returning for the Next Adventure?

DreamWorks Animation has officially announced the return of the beloved “Shrek” franchise with its fifth installment, “Shrek 5,” slated for release on December 23, 2026. The film will see the return of original voice actors Mike Myers (Shrek), Cameron Diaz (Princess Fiona), and Eddie Murphy (Donkey). Joining the cast is Zendaya, who will voice Felicia, the teenage daughter of Shrek and Fiona.

A teaser released by Universal Pictures on February 27, 2025, offers a glimpse of the upcoming film. In the clip, Donkey consults the magic mirror, with Shrek, Fiona, and their daughter Felicia observing. The teaser also features familiar characters like Pinocchio. Zendaya’s character, Felicia, is depicted with red hair and a nose ring, embodying an edgy teenage persona. This casting aligns with Zendaya’s previous expression of her fondness for the “Shrek” series, as she tweeted in August 2017, “I watch Shrek too often in my adulthood.”

The film is directed by franchise veterans Walt Dohrn and Conrad Vernon. Dohrn has contributed to previous “Shrek” films as a writer and artist and voiced Rumpelstiltskin in “Shrek Forever After.” Vernon co-directed “Shrek 2” and has voiced various characters in the series, including the Gingerbread Man. Gina Shay and Chris Meledandri are producing the film.

While plot details remain under wraps, including the original cast alongside new talent like Zendaya has generated significant anticipation for the sequel. The “Shrek” franchise, which began in 2001, has grossed nearly $3 billion across its first four films and has expanded to include spinoffs, such as the “Puss in Boots” series. The upcoming release of “Shrek 5” coincides with the franchise’s 25th anniversary, marking a significant milestone for the series.

“Shrek 5” is scheduled to hit theaters on December 23, 2026.