Minions 3 Swaps Release with Delayed Shrek 5

Universal Pictures shuffles its release schedule, pushing back Shrek 5 to December 23, 2026, while Minions 3, a Despicable Me spin-off, retains its original July 1, 2026, premiere.

Variety reports this scheduling adjustment. Minions 3 will thus continue the tradition of Despicable Me films capitalizing on the Independence Day box office. Shrek 5, conversely, aims for the lucrative holiday season of 2026, marking its return after a 16-year hiatus.

Initially announced in 2016, the sequel remained dormant for years until Chris Meledandri, Illumination CEO, confirmed its active development in 2023, along with plans for a Donkey spin-off.

Eddie Murphy, the voice of Donkey, corroborated the project's progress a year later, further fueling anticipation for the Donkey solo film. "We started working on [Shrek 5] months ago," he stated. "I recorded the first act, and we'll continue this year. We'll finish it. Shrek is coming out, and Donkey's getting his own movie. We're doing Donkey as well."

The release of Shrek 5 will coincide with the 25th anniversary of the Shrek franchise, the original film having debuted in 2001. This was followed by Shrek 2 (2004), Shrek the Third (2007), and Shrek Forever After (2010).

The Puss in Boots spin-off series has also proven successful, with the first installment released in 2011 and the critically acclaimed Puss in Boots: The Last Wish in 2022. The latter received glowing reviews, including a 9/10 rating from IGN, which praised its "stunning animation" and "poignant, surprisingly mature story," calling it "the Shrek franchise's answer to Logan we didn't know we needed."