Shrek Movies In Order

When PDI/Dreamworks first came out with their computer animated fairytale movie “Shrek” in 2001, they knew they had a hit on their hands but did not realize that the three sequel movies would become the highest grossing animated franchise ever. Working from a 60 million dollar budget, the first film alone raked in over 484 million, making it the 4th highest grossing film in 2001 behind only such megahits as the first Harry Potter movie, the first Peter Jackson “Lord of the Rings” movie and Disney’s “Monsters, Inc.”

While the original plan was to tell the Shrek story in a series of five movies, eventually Producer Jeffrey Katzenberg shortened the story cycle to four movies. Each movie has its own internal plot but you should watch the Shrek movies in order. Without seeing the first movie, you would miss the romantic development between Shrek and Princess Fiona and her ultimate transformation through the love Shrek has for her. As the series progresses, we encounter rivalry, children, and finally how to rise above one’s own upbringing to be a responsible adult and parent.

The original movie won an Academy Award for the best animated feature and the popularity of the franchise, sometimes more a parody of all fairy tales than a straight development of one, spawned a plethora of television specials, movie spin-offs, short films, video games, a television series, and a theme park. Culturally the Shrek movies began a trend in modern film making to include more pop culture references and how animated fairy tales in general are presented. Had not Shrek been so successful at parody, such movies as “Hoodwinked” and “Happily N’Ever After” would not exist.

Movies in Order	Trailers
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Shrek (2001)
Shrek 2 (2004)
Shrek the Third (2007)
Shrek Forever After (2010)

Shrek was adapted to comic format in 2003 by Dark Horse Comics. By 2008, it had become a Broadway musical which ran for 441 shows before closing In 2010. The beloved character of Puss-in Boots, who entered the Shrek universe in “Shrek 2” became a spin-off movie and a television series. At the 2001 Cannes Film Festival, “Shrek” became the first animated feature since 1953’s “Peter Pan” to be entered. As well as the five video games directly based on the movies, the title character was included as an unlockable character in “Tony Hawk’s Underground 2” in 2004, the same year “Shrek 2” was released.

The “Shrek” movies managed to enlist a huge crew of top actors to voice the movie’s characters. Shrek himself was voiced by Mike Myers. Cameron Diaz is Princess Fiona and Eddie Murphy is in stellar form as the irrepressible Donkey, the faithful sidekick and foil for Shrek in his adventures. Among the other headline performers to add their talents to this extraordinary franchise are Antonio Banderas as Puss in Boots, John Lithgow, Julie Andrews and even John Cleese. Other famous Brits on the roles include Rupert Everett and Jennifer Saunders.

If you want to write “Shrek” off as kid’s movie, you will be doing yourself a disservice. While the simple plots appeal to the younger set, the in-jokes and witty banter between the characters will appeal to any adult who loves a laugh with their entertainment.