Universal Pictures Announces New Release Dates for Shrek 5 and Minions 3

by Annika January 10, 2025

Universal Pictures is shaking up their animation franchises with new release dates. Shrek 5, directed by Walt Dohrn and Conrad Vernon, will hit theaters on December 23, 2026, starring the beloved voices of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz. Meanwhile, Minions 3 from Illumination, directed by Pierre Coffin, has moved to July 1, 2026, earlier than originally planned. Fans can expect the mischievous yellow creatures to continue their antics. An untitled event film from Illumination will take Minions 3’s previous release date of June 30, 2027. Get ready for more animated adventures coming your way!

Universal Pictures Announces New Release Dates for Shrek 5 and Minions 3

– Universal Pictures is adjusting its movie release calendar, moving up the release date for Minions 3 to July 1, 2026, and pushing back the release date for Shrek 5 to December 23, 2026.
– The Minions franchise has been successful, generating nearly billion at the worldwide box office.
– Shrek 5 is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the franchise and will bring back the original voice cast.

Universal Pictures has made some changes to its movie release calendar, specifically for two beloved animation franchises. The highly anticipated “Shrek 5” from DreamWorks Animation has had its release date moved from July 1, 2026, to December 23, 2026. The film, directed by Walt Dohrn and Conrad Vernon with co-director Brad Ableson, sees the return of voice stars Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz. In addition, “Minions 3” from Illumination has been moved up to July 1, 2026, from its previous release date of June 30, 2027. Pierre Coffin, who directed the previous films in the “Despicable Me” series, is helming “Minions 3.” The Minions were last seen on the big screen in 2024’s “Despicable Me 4” and have been a major factor in the franchise’s massive box office success, earning nearly billion worldwide. The upcoming “Shrek 5” will coincide with the celebration of 25 years since the release of the first film in 2001 and has grossed over .9 billion globally. Shrek has also spawned two spinoff films centered around Puss in Boots.

In addition to these changes, Universal announced that an untitled event film from Illumination will now take over the previous release date of “Minions 3” on June 30, 2027. The untitled film was initially planned to hit theaters on March 19, 2027.

The Shrek and Minions franchises have been incredibly successful, captivating audiences of all ages with their humor, heart, and memorable characters. Shrek, the misunderstood ogre with his fairytale friends, has become an icon since his first appearance in 2001. The films have not only delighted audiences but have also been significant box office hits, contributing to the franchise’s impressive over .9 billion in global earnings. The Minions, originally introduced as sidekicks to former supervillain Gru, have become a cultural phenomenon. Their solo films and appearances in the “Despicable Me” series have helped propel the franchise’s worldwide box office earnings to nearly billion.

With the new release dates, fans of both franchises can look forward to more adventures with their favorite characters. “Shrek 5” will provide a nostalgic celebration of 25 years of ogre-filled fun, while “Minions 3” will continue to explore the mischievous antics of these lovable yellow creatures. The untitled event film from Illumination adds another exciting prospect to Universal’s animation lineup, promising more entertainment in the years to come.