Characters Confirmed To Be Returning In Shrek 5

It finally happened: Universal Pictures and Dreamworks Animation published the first teaser for Shrek 5, the sequel that fans have been waiting for more than fifteen years. Unfortunately, they will have to wait almost two more years to finally watch it in theaters (seeing as it comes out in December 2026), but this initial trailer has already revealed a lot of promising things about this upcoming film.

Related

10 Best Couples In DreamWorks Movies, Ranked

Though romance may not be the main focus of these animated movies, these couples’ relationships are still highlights of their stories.

While the Shrek 5 teaser features a completely new art style that has been getting a mixed reception, fans around the world are still excited about the return of everyone’s favorite ogre. The best part is that he’s not alone, because many of his friends will join him on a new adventure, and many of them are already confirmed to return.

1

Shrek

The Long-Awaited Return Of Cinema’s Most Iconic Animated Ogre

• First Appearance: Shrek (2001)
• Voiced By: Mike Myers

Of course, Shrek will finally return to the big screen in Shrek 5 since, after all, both the movie itself and the entire franchise are named after him. What’s especially exciting is that he will be voiced by the one and only Mike Myers, a talented comedic actor who disappeared from acting a long while ago, but has been seemingly making a big comeback in recent years.

Shrek is the biggest example of how surprisingly different the art style for this new movie is going to be, as he looks less plump and way uglier (in a good way, since he’s an ogre). His new appearance is admittedly a bit uncanny, but it also makes him seem a lot more expressive, so it may look a lot better in the final release.

2

Donkey

Shrek Can’t Go On A New Adventure Without His Trusty Friend And Sidekick

• First Appearance: Shrek (2001)
• Voiced By: Eddie Murphy

Shrek wouldn’t be Shrek without Donkey, so he’s back for the fifth film. Many fans were worried that he was going to get a smaller role this time around, but, since he’s in the forefront of the new teaser, and it was revealed that the legendary Eddie Murphy will voice him once again, he will most likely be one of the movie’s protagonists.

Donkey has had a major redesign in Shrek 5: he now looks a lot more cartoony, not to mention that his mane has gotten significantly spikier. Since the teaser has revealed that time has passed and Shrek’s children are teenagers now, there’s one burning question left. What about Donkey’s kids? Are they going to make an appearance as fully grown donkey/dragon hybrids?

3

Fiona

Shrek’s Lovely Wife Will Most Likely Have A Bigger Role

• First Appearance: Shrek (2001)
• Voiced By: Cameron Diaz

It may be easy to miss for some fans, but the relationship between Shrek and his wife, Fiona, is pretty much the heart and soul of the franchise. The original series ended with them assuming the role of loving and responsible parents, so Shrek 5 will finally show audiences how they have been dealing with that, especially now that their kids are teenagers.

Related

8 Strongest DreamWorks Animation Characters, Ranked

These DreamWorks characters attain extreme levels of strength throughout their movies.

So far, it seems that Fiona has had the least drastic redesign, since she looks as good as always, but with a few small differences that help her fit the new art style. Fortunately, it has been confirmed that Cameron Diaz – who retired from acting a few years ago – will return to voice her once again.

4

Felicia

Shrek’s And Fiona’s Daughter Is Not A Baby Anymore

• First Appearance: Shrek The Third (2007)
• Voiced By: Zendaya

The biggest surprise of the Shrek 5 teaser (aside from the new art style) is the revelation that Felicia, Shrek’s and Fiona’s daughter, is now a teenager. This makes a lot of sense since it has been almost fifteen years since the last movie, in which she and her brothers turned one year old.

Just like her parents, Felicia will be voiced by a celebrity: Zendaya, known for her roles in Dune, Euphoria and the MCU Spider-Man movies. The prospect of a teenage ogre dealing with her origins and physical appearance will most likely make for a really fun and interesting plot, but many fans are also wondering if Shrek’s other two children, Fergus and Farkle, will also appear in Shrek 5.

5

Pinocchio

The Return Of One Of The Most Hilarious Fairy Tale Creatures In The Series

• First Appearance: Shrek (2001)
• Voiced By: Cody Cameron

At the very last second, the Shrek 5 teaser reveals that Pinocchio will also be making a return, as he has seemingly been making meme edits of Shrek for their universe’s parody of TikTok. He was always one of the funniest and whackiest fantasy characters in the franchise, so it’s great to see him come back for the fifth film, especially since it seems he will be voiced by Cody Cameron once again.

Pinocchio’s appearance in Shrek 5 may also hint at something even bigger: all the other parodies of classic fairy tale icons – like the Three Blind Mice, The Three Little Pigs, the Big Bad Wolf or the Gingerbread Man – may also be making a return alongside him. They will most likely all have a minor, comic relief role, but that would be enough to satisfy longtime fans of the franchise.

6

Magic Mirror

A Minor But Important Character Who’s Getting A Modern Update

• First Appearance: Shrek (2001)
• Voiced By: Chris Miller

The Magic Mirror first debuted in the original film, and basically served as both a television and a host for Lord Farquaad in one of the movie’s most memorable comedic scenes. After that, he made a few minor appearances in the sequels, and it seems that Shrek 5 is no exception.

Related

Best Voice Acting Performances In DreamWorks’ Animated Movies, Ranked

From Shrek to Kung Fu Panda, these voice actors bring iconic animated characters to life in DreamWorks movies.

While the Magic Mirror initially worked more like a TV, it seems Shrek 5 will give him a much-needed update by turning him into an analog for a smartphone, with an app that works similarly to TikTok. It’s currently unknown if the Magic Mirror will have any importance in the actual plot of the film, or if he will just be used for small jokes like the one seen in the teaser. Curiously enough, he also got a major redesign, with a much more defined jawline.

Shrek 5

Release Date

December 25, 2026

Director

Walt Dohrn, Brad Ableson

Writers

Michael McCullers, Christopher Meledandri, William Steig

• 
• 

  Cameron Diaz

  Princess Fiona

• 
•