Shrek may be heading toward its fifth movie, but Universal is not done with the one that started it all.
DreamWorks Animation released Shrek in 2001, with Mike Myers voicing the antisocial ogre whose swamp is overrun by fairy tale creatures banished there by Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow).
With Donkey (Eddie Murphy) at his side, Shrek agrees to rescue Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) in exchange for getting his home back. The mission ultimately turns into a romance, setting up the relationship at the center of the franchise.
The movie earned nearly $485 million worldwide during its original theatrical run and became the first winner of the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. It eventually spawned three direct sequels, two Puss in Boots films, television projects, a Broadway musical, and theme park attractions.
25 years later, Universal is returning to the original movie for another version.
Universal Is Rebuilding the World of the Original ‘Shrek’
Universal Film has signed a multi-year, multi-film deal with immersive entertainment company Cosm, with a reimagined presentation of the first Shrek serving as the partnership’s first release.
The project is not a conventional remake with new actors, animation, or a rewritten story.
Instead, the original 2001 film will be adapted for Cosm’s Shared Reality format, which presents movies across enormous 87-foot domed LED screens rather than a traditional movie theater screen.
The movie itself will remain visible in its original frame while newly created visuals extend beyond it and across the surrounding dome.
That means familiar locations from Shrek will effectively expand around the audience. Universal has confirmed that Shrek’s Swamp, Duloc’s Arena, and Dragon’s Keep will all feature in the new presentation.
Universal Film, DreamWorks Animation, Cosm, and visual effects company Reel FX are collaborating on the project.
The adaptation will also make Shrek the first animated movie transformed into a Shared Reality cinematic experience at Cosm.
Cosm previously entered the movie business through a partnership with Warner Bros. Pictures. Its existing slate includes an immersive version of The Matrix, where additional visuals surround the original film across the venue’s 87-foot dome.
The company currently operates venues in Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlanta, and Detroit.
Tickets for the new Shrek experience are expected to go on sale later this fall, although Universal and Cosm have not yet announced exactly when the movie will premiere.
It will be the first title released under Universal and Cosm’s wider agreement, meaning more Universal movies are expected to receive similar treatments in the future.
Universal Is Putting the Original ‘Shrek’ Back in the Spotlight
The Cosm project arrives during a wider revival of the movie that launched DreamWorks’ biggest fairy tale franchise.
The original Shrek returned to theaters for its 25th anniversary earlier this year, adding another theatrical run to a movie first released in May 2001.
Universal is also releasing a newly remastered 4K version on November 3, 2026.
The anniversary edition includes Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos alongside 30 minutes of new bonus material looking back at how the original movie was created.
All of that arrives while DreamWorks prepares for Shrek’s next proper big-screen adventure.
Shrek 5 is currently scheduled for June 30, 2027, bringing Myers, Murphy, and Diaz back as Shrek, Donkey, and Fiona (although not everyone is happy about the film's new character designs).
The sequel will also expand the next generation of the family. Zendaya voices Shrek and Fiona’s daughter Felicia, while Marcello Hernández and Skyler Gisondo voice their sons Fergus and Farkle.
The movie marks the first mainline installment since Shrek Forever After arrived in 2010.
Are you excited for Shrek 5?
