After nearly two decades away from the swamp, Shrek is back, but his new look is not everyone’s happily ever after.
Universal Pictures dropped the first official teaser trailer for Shrek 5 on June 16, scheduled for release in 2027. While the announcement initially sparked a wave of nostalgia, the internet quickly fractured over the film’s modernized, hyper-detailed visual direction.
The brand-new teaser reintroduces the trio as they embark on a whirlwind adventure to a brand-new destination, Further Further Away. The footage leaves fans on a cliffhanger, showing Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, and their ogre children trapped inside a local jail cell. However, keen-eyed fans immediately noticed that one key family member was notably absent from the lockdown: their daughter, Felicia.
Stream ‘Shrek’ 1-4 on Peacock
What changed in the trailer?
Social media was filled with fans pointing out the updated animation look, claiming it seemed “AI-generated” or over-polished compared to the previous animation.
Because the characters are flesh-and-fur creatures, the 2026 animation upgrades mean every single pore, wrinkle, and hair is visible. Fans pointed out that Eddie Murphy’s Donkey looks very fluffy, while Shrek features significantly more prominent facial crevices. Critics argued that the gritty, hand-crafted charm of the original movies has been completely erased in favor of a hyper-realistic sheen.
Beyond the visuals, a section of the fanbase expressed concern over the trailer’s tone. Early reactions suggest the film may lean heavily into fast-paced internet culture and low-effort physical comedy rather than the satirical fairy-tale wit that made the original 2001 film an Oscar-winning classic.
Will there be a redo?
This isn’t the first time Shrek 5 has received mixed reviews for its updated aesthetic. When an initial teaser concept dropped back in February 2025, fans similarly criticized Shrek’s “airbrushed” face.
With this latest official look, some fans are holding out hope that Universal will go back to the drawing board. Drawing direct parallels to Paramount’s famous 2019 Sonic the Hedgehog controversy. After facing massive public outcry over Sonic’s hyper-realistic CGI design, Paramount and director Jeff Fowler ultimately delayed the movie’s release to completely redesign the character from scratch. Whether DreamWorks will heed the internet’s pleas to restore Shrek’s signature smooth, original complexion before next summer remains to be seen.
When is the ‘Shrek’ release date?
Shrek will release on June 30, 2027.
Who is in the cast?
Despite the visual division, the movie boasts a powerhouse cast of returning franchise legends and massive modern stars:
The film is being directed by franchise veterans Conrad Vernon (the voice of Gingy and co-director of Shrek 2) and Walt Dohrn.
Emmy Bailey is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: ‘Shrek 5’ trailer drops faces fan backlash over this change
Reporting by Emmy Bailey, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
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By Emmy Bailey, Palm Beach Post | USA TODAY Network
