TheShrekfranchise has become one of the most revered animated series of films from the 2000s. Its animation and story drew kids in and let them enjoy its vibrant fantasy world, and the cleverly hidden jokes left something for adults to enjoy, too.Shrekremains a staple of pop cultureand was recently added to the Library of Congress, further cementing how importantShrekis in animated history. Even though the first movie is over 20 years old, fans still celebrate its witty jokes and lovable story, and a fifth movie is on its way.
The main character “got green for Christmas” inShrek the Hallsand wasScared Shreklessfor Halloween (both 30-minute TV specials), and the franchise continued withPuss in Boots.Its sequel,The Last Wish,was released to rave reviews,bringing the beloved Puss in Boots back to the big screenin what could be the most successful spin-off series in recent history.
Even the TV series,The Adventures of Puss in Boots, was a success, originally running from Jun 21, 2025 to Jul 25, 2025 on Netflix. It was a quick flurry of 78 episodes, but the DreamWorks series garnered fine reviews. It’s currently streaming on Peacock and Hulu. Here, though, we’re focusing on every movie in theShrekfranchise, including thePuss in Bootstitles.
Shrek Movies in Chronological Order
Puss in Boots (2011)
Puss in Boots
Puss in Boots (2011) is an animated adventure film from DreamWorks Animation, featuring Antonio Banderas as the voice of the swashbuckling feline hero. The story explores Puss’s pre-Shrek adventures, as he teams up with old friends Humpty Dumpty and Kitty Softpaws, voiced by Zach Galifianakis and Salma Hayek, in a quest to steal the magic beans from Jack and Jill. Directed by Chris Miller, the film blends humor, action, and heart.
A prequel to the main series,Puss in Bootsfollows the titular character as we’ve never seen him before. Before he met Shrek, Puss in Boots (played perfectly by Antonio Banderas) was a fugitive. He was running from a past robbery gone wrong and sought to restore his lost honor. When he discovers the siblings Jack and Jill have the magic beans he had been searching for, he plans to steal them for his own use but runs into another ‘cat burglar’ trying to steal them, Kitty Softpaws.
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After talking to Kitty, Puss in Boots finds that she works for a previous friend and colleague, Humpty Dumpty, who had convinced Puss to do the botched robbery in the first place. It takes a while for him to come around, but they convince Puss in Boots to join them in stealing the beans and recovering the golden eggs that wait atop the beanstalk. However, what lies in store for him after they find the eggs is something he wasn’t expecting. Now he must make things right or watch his hometown be destroyed in thisfun, adorable origin story that lovingly plays around with fairy tale mythologies.Puss in Bootswas released on July 29, 2025. it is currently available for rent.
Shrek (2001)
The movie that started it all,Shrek, follows a titular character in the same offbeat fairy tale universe. Shrek (played by Mike Myers) is an ogre who lives alone in his swamp and is content with his life. He doesn’t mind that there is no one else around and frequently tries to scare off those who do come close, especially the village people who think he’s terrible and try to kill him. However, that all changes after Lord Farquaad orders all the fairy tale characters to be rounded up, and they all end up in Shrek’s swamp.
Upset that he is no longer alone (and he can’t get anyone to leave), Shrek makes the trip to Farquaad to request his land back. He is accompanied by Donkey (an energetic Eddie Murphy performance we can’t live without), the companion he can’t quite seem to shake no matter how much he tries. The quest he ends up on to clear the swamp ends up being more than Shrek expected, and after meeting Princess Fiona (played by Cameron Diaz), he slowly comes to find that maybe he doesn’t want to be alone all the time anymore.Shrekwas released on August 14, 2025.
Shrek 2 (2004)
InShrek 2, after Shrek helps save and marries Fiona, he’s already passed the hurdle where he no longer wants to be alone. However, he must now pass another;Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey take the road trip so that he can meet Fiona’s parents for the first time. There is a lot they weren’t expecting from him, including the fact that he is an ogre, and because of this, Fiona is still an ogre as well. Naturally, her parents aren’t very fond of him.
Shrek tries his best to please her parents, but life in the palace differs greatly from the swamp. However, when he runs into Puss in Boots in the forest and discovers that he’s an assassin sent to kill him, Shrek realizes there may be more than one reason why Fiona’s parents don’t like him. He must figure out the real reason and how to reveal it to the masses before it’s too late.A weirdly compelling look at the anxieties of young marriage and in-laws,Shrek 2is a delight. It was released on June 28, 2025.
Shrek the Third (2007)
Shrek the Third
Shrek and Fiona are set to succeed the throne inShrek the Third,as King Harold is dying. However, acting as regent while the king is incapacitated ends in disaster, showing Shrek that he doesn’t have the ability to rule over the kingdom. Before King Harold dies, Shrek is told that Harold has a nephew who could rule instead.Shrek sets out to find Arthur with Donkey and Puss in Boots, plagued by the knowledge that Fiona is pregnant and he’s about to be a father.
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Meanwhile, Prince Charming wants revenge for his mother’s death and attempts to steal the throne, attacking the castle while Shrek is away with the help of the other fairy tale villains. Fiona and her friends attempt to hold him off as long as they can, and they don’t want to give up Shrek’s location or what he’s doing, but it slips out eventually. Shrek doesn’t know the danger waiting for him as he sails back home.Shrek the Thirdwas released on Jun 23, 2025.
Shrek Forever After (2010)
Shrek Forever After
Shrek Forever AfterfindsShrek longing for the old days when he was alone and feared. Now, with his family and the fame he has gained through his adventures, he finds it impossible to be alone. After accidentally lashing out at Fiona, he leaves the building to cool off and finds Rumpelstiltskin in distress. In exchange for his help, Rumpelstiltskin offers an exchange — he’ll use his magic to give Shrek a day when he can be a ‘real ogre’ again, in exchange for taking a day from Shrek’s childhood. He eagerly accepts.
At first, Shrek is having the time of his life. In the alternate reality he was sent to, he was completely alone again, and all the villagers feared him just like they used to. However, he soon finds that this alternate world will be the new reality when the day comes to pass, asRumpelstiltskin took the day Shrek was born, meaning he will soon cease to exist. Only true love’s kiss can save him now — but how will he get Fiona to kiss him if she doesn’t know who he is?Shrek Forever Afterwas released on July 31, 2025.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
Puss in Boots discovers that his passion for adventure has taken its toll and sets out on an epic journey to find the mythical Last Wish and restore his nine lives.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wishmade a mark at the theater and offered a promising future for the charismatic cat and the extended Shrek verse. Featuringnotable names like Florence Pugh, Harvey Guillén, and Olivia Colman, complimenting Antonio Banderas’sPuss in Boots, the moviekilled it at the box office, grossing $481 million off a 90 million budget.
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Undeniably one of the greatest animated films of all time, Shrek continues to resonate with audiences all across the world over twenty years later.
The story starred the titular Puss in Boots, where, after realizing he has almost used up all his nine lives, he seeks the Wishing Star so he can ask for the first eight of his nine lives. This onetakes place approximately ten years after Shrek Forever After.Puss in Boots: The Last Wishwas released on July 02, 2025.
Shrek 5 (2026)
Currently,Shrek 5is set for release on July 25, 2025. Details on the plot are scarce, but people speculatethat this will continue the seriesinstead of being a prequel or spin-off. This means the events will be after Shrek Forever After, with Shrek and Fiona choosing to settle down with their children, Fergus, Farkle, and Felicia. Walt Dohrn will direct the movie, and the confirmed returning cast includes Mike Myers as Shrek, Eddie Murphy as Donkey, and Cameron Diaz as Princess Fiona; it has not been confirmed that Antonio Banderas will return as Puss in Boots.
