Shrek (2001) – The Green Ogre That Changed Animation Forever

Once upon a time, in a swamp far, far away, a grumpy green ogre taught us that beauty is more than skin deep. That fairy tales don't need perfect princesses and handsome princes. And that a donkey, a dragon, and a talking gingerbread man could make us laugh, cry, and believe in something different.

Shrek is the reason I fell in love with modern animation. Before 2001, we had those classic cartoon-style Disney films—beautiful in their own way, but traditional. Then came this ogre. And nothing was the same. I've watched Shrek more times than I can count over the years, and it has never disappointed me. I can still rewatch it and enjoy it like it's my first time. That's magic. That's cinema.

And now, for its 25th anniversary, Shrek is returning to theaters for a limited engagement run lasting three days—May 15 through May 17, 2026—in most regions, with some theaters possibly extending depending on their programming . This is our chance to see the ogre on the big screen again. The way he was meant to be seen.

My rating? After saying all these things, for me Shrek is a 10/10. Nothing has passed this animation for me until now. Only a few have even reached its level.

The Plot: A Fairy Tale Gone Hilariously Wrong

The story begins in a swamp. Shrek (Mike Myers) , a grumpy, solitary ogre, just wants to be left alone. He bathes in mud, brushes his teeth with caterpillar slime, and enjoys the quiet. But his peaceful solitude is shattered when an invasion of annoying fairy tale characters—Pinocchio, the Three Little Pigs, the Big Bad Wolf, and even Snow White—are banished from their kingdom and dumped onto his land.

The culprit? The evil, diminutive Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow) , a ruler obsessed with perfection. To rid his kingdom of "undesirables," he's exiled all fairy tale creatures. Shrek, furious, confronts Farquaad. They make a deal: Shrek will rescue Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) from a dragon-guarded castle. In return, Farquaad will give Shrek back his swamp.

Shrek reluctantly teams up with Donkey (Eddie Murphy) , a motor-mouthed, eternally optimistic donkey who talks his way into becoming Shrek's companion. Together, they journey to the castle, battle a fire-breathing dragon (who develops an unexpected crush on Donkey), and rescue Fiona.

But here's the twist. Fiona has a secret. At night, she transforms into an ogre herself—a curse placed on her that can only be broken by true love's kiss. She expects Farquaad to be her prince charming. But the more time she spends with Shrek, the more she realizes that love doesn't look the way fairy tales taught her.

The climax is a brilliant send-up of traditional Disney endings. No glass slipper. No perfect kiss under moonlight. Just two ogres, a swamp, and a message that being yourself is the most beautiful thing of all.

What I Loved: Everything

Let me be honest. I love everything about this movie.

The Animation: In 2001, Shrek was a technological marvel. The team at DreamWorks Animation and Pacific Data Images pushed computer-generated imagery to new heights. We're talking freckles, skin pores, stubble, pupil dilation, and amazing light-and-shade effects that made characters feel alive . The fire-breathing dragon sequence, the swamp's murky water, the intricate castle interiors—all of it was state-of-the-art.

The Story: This is not a typical fairy tale. It's an anti-fairy tale. It takes every Disney trope you grew up with and turns it upside down. The princess doesn't need saving in the traditional sense. The ogre isn't the villain. The prince is the bad guy. And the donkey steals the show. The film is a non-stop send-up of all things Disney. If predictability and saccharine sweetness are your cup of tea, you might not like it. But if you're cynical about theme parks and love the idea of classic stories getting the Monty Python treatment, you'll adore it .

The Characters: Shrek is ugly, smelly, and grumpy. But beneath all that fungus, he's a swell guy. Donkey is annoying but lovable. Fiona is a feisty princess who can fight dragons in her sleep. And Lord Farquaad? One of the best animated villains ever created—obsessed with his own height (or lack thereof) and modeled after Al Pacino's Scarface .

The Voice Cast: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, John Lithgow—everyone is perfect. Myers gives Shrek a Scottish accent (he reportedly recorded the role twice, once in his natural voice and once in Scottish, after hearing a rough cut). Murphy is a revelation as Donkey, delivering most of the film's funniest lines . Diaz brings heart and toughness to Fiona. And Lithgow is deliciously evil as Farquaad.

The Humor: Yes, there are fart jokes. Yes, there is burp humor. Yes, the film literally opens on the toilet . But beneath the gross-out gags lies a sharp, witty, sophisticated script that skewers everything from Disney's business practices to fairy tale logic. Adults laugh at the pop culture references. Kids laugh at the slapstick. Everyone wins.

The Message: The most beautiful part of Shrek is its message. Imagine we all fell in love with an ogre—green skin, fat belly, big tummy. That's why this film is different and beautiful. It teaches us that beauty can be different than what traditional media or culture tells us. Fiona doesn't need to be a perfect princess. Shrek doesn't need to be a handsome prince. They need to be themselves. And that's enough.

The Themes: Beyond the Fairy Tale

Shrek works on multiple levels. Here's what it's really about:

Subverting Fairy Tale Tropes: Disney built an empire on beautiful princesses, handsome princes, and true love's kiss. Shrek tears that empire down—lovingly, but firmly. Princess Fiona doesn't wait to be rescued; she fights dragons. Shrek isn't the villain; he's the hero. And Farquaad, the "prince," is actually a tyrant. The film asks: why do we accept these tropes without question?

Beauty and Acceptance: The central message is clear: true beauty comes from within. Shrek is ugly on the outside but kind on the inside. Farquaad is handsome (in a cartoonish way) but rotten. Fiona's journey is about accepting herself—ogre form and all. It's a powerful lesson for children and adults alike.

Friendship and Loyalty: Donkey is annoying, loud, and constantly getting into trouble. But he's also fiercely loyal. He sticks with Shrek even when Shrek tries to push him away. Their friendship is the emotional anchor of the film.

Questioning Authority: Farquaad represents blind authoritarianism. He banishes anyone who doesn't fit his narrow definition of "normal." The film encourages audiences to question such leaders and stand up for outsiders .

Love Without Conditions: Shrek and Fiona fall in love not because of how they look, but because of who they are. Their love story is messy, complicated, and real. And that's more powerful than any fairy tale.

How Shrek Changed Animation Forever

Before Shrek, DreamWorks Animation was still finding its footing. The studio had released Antz in 1998—a solid but overshadowed CGI debut. The Prince of Egypt (1998) and The Road to El Dorado (2000) were traditional animated musicals that struggled to compete with Disney's Renaissance.

Then came Shrek.

It was the film that established DreamWorks Animation as a serious competitor to Pixar . It proved that computer-animated films could be edgy, irreverent, and aimed at adults as much as children. It popularized the "celebrity voice cast" marketing strategy—putting stars like Myers, Murphy, and Diaz front and center in the advertising campaign in ways never seen before . And it paved the way for a whole generation of animated films that embraced pop culture references, satire, and sophisticated humor—from Megamind to How to Train Your Dragon to The Lego Movie.

Critics noted that the film's "ironic distance, scornful approach to its fairy tale subject matter, smattering of literary and film references, as well as its broader pop culture literacy, have all since impacted the tone of several blockbuster animated features" . In other words, Shrek changed the way animated movies were written.

The Iconic Soundtrack

Let's talk about the music. "All Star" by Smash Mouth became the unofficial anthem of the early 2000s, thanks to Shrek. The song plays during the film's opening sequence—Shrek brushing his teeth with caterpillar guts, bathing in mud, and generally being disgusting. It's a perfect, ironic counterpoint .

The soundtrack also featured:

• "I'm a Believer" by Smash Mouth (a cover of The Monkees' classic, played during the end credits)
• "Hallelujah" by Rufus Wainwright (the emotional song that plays during the montage of Shrek and Fiona falling in love)
• "It Is You (I Have Loved)" by Dana Glover
• A score by Harry Gregson-Williams and John Powell

The music is as much a part of the film's identity as the characters themselves.

The Cast and Performances

• Mike Myers as Shrek: Myers reportedly recorded his lines twice. The first time, he used his natural Canadian accent. After seeing a rough cut, he decided Shrek needed to sound Scottish—like his mother's stories, he said. He flew back to the studio and re-recorded every single line. It took weeks. It cost millions. But it made the character iconic.
• Eddie Murphy as Donkey: Murphy improvised many of his lines. The animators then matched the animation to his delivery. His energy, timing, and charisma are why Donkey became a breakout character. Murphy became the first actor to ever receive a BAFTA nomination for a voice-over performance .
• Cameron Diaz as Princess Fiona: Diaz brought toughness and warmth to Fiona. She wasn't just a damsel in distress; she was a warrior princess who could hold her own against Shrek in a fight.
• John Lithgow as Lord Farquaad: Lithgow modeled Farquaad on Al Pacino's Tony Montana from Scarface—a short man with a huge ego . The animators reportedly used Lithgow's physical performance as reference, capturing his facial expressions and body language.

The Ratings: Critics and Audiences Agreed

• IMDb: 7.9/10 (from 811,000+ users)
• Rotten Tomatoes: 88% Critics (214 reviews) / 90% Audience (250,000+ ratings)

Critics loved it. Audiences loved it even more. The film was praised for its animation, voice performances, soundtrack, writing, and humor—which catered to both adults and children . Some critics, like Roger Ebert, were more reserved (he gave it 3/4 stars, calling it "a lot of fun but not a classic"). But most recognized something special happening.

One early reviewer wrote: "We went to catch the matinee preview of 'Shrek.' We were still giggling by the time we got home. Two hours later, we dragged a friend out and went back for the evening show. This is a very funny movie... The dialogue and main action quips are mainly aimed at adults and sophisticated kids".

Another noted: "The film does something that few other movies will likely do this year: It entertains kids and adults... It has a sophistication rarely seen in animation outside 'The Simpsons'" .

Not everyone was convinced. One critic called the film "Disney-envy" and criticized its pop culture references . But these voices were in the minority.

The Awards: Making History

Shrek was not just a commercial hit; it was an awards juggernaut.

• Academy Award for Best Animated Feature (2002): This was the first year this category existed, and Shrek won it. It beat Pixar's Monsters, Inc. and Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius. The Oscar went to producer Aron Warner .
• BAFTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay: Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio, Joe Stillman, and Roger S.H. Schulman won this prestigious award—beating films like A Beautiful Mind and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
• BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film: Also won.
• BAFTA Nominations (6 total): Including Best Film—an almost unheard-of nomination for an animated film. Eddie Murphy was nominated for Best Supporting Actor, the first time a voice-over performance received a BAFTA nomination .
• Annie Awards (8 wins): Shrek dominated the Annie Awards, winning Best Animated Feature Film, Best Directing for Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson, Best Screenplay, Best Voice Acting for Eddie Murphy, Best Music, Best Art Direction, and more .
• Cannes Film Festival Nomination: Shrek was entered into the main competition at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival, the first animated film since Disney's Peter Pan (1953) to receive that honor .
• American Film Institute: Shrek was named one of the top 10 films of 2001, the first animated film to be listed .
• People's Choice Award: Favorite Movie.

National Film Registry: A 21st-Century Classic

In 2020, the United States Library of Congress selected Shrek for preservation in the National Film Registry, which recognizes films that are "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" . This made Shrek the first animated film of the 21st century to be preserved .

It now sits alongside such classics as A Clockwork Orange, The Dark Knight, Grease, and The Blues Brothers. As one commentator noted: "It will never not be funny to see it listed along with classics like A Clockwork Orange or The Joy Luck Club. This is a movie that literally opens with fart and poop jokes. Oh, cinema" .

The Box Office: A Smash Hit

• Budget: $60 million
• Box Office: $492 million worldwide

Shrek was the fourth-highest-grossing film of 2001, behind Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, and Monsters, Inc. . But its impact went far beyond the numbers. It became the highest-grossing animated film ever released in Australia at the time, surpassing The Lion King . And it helped establish DreamWorks Animation as a legitimate competitor to Disney and Pixar.

The Legacy: A Franchise and a Cultural Phenomenon

Shrek launched a massive franchise:

• Shrek 2 (2004) – Even more successful than the original, grossing over $950 million
• Shrek the Third (2007) – The weakest of the sequels, but still a hit
• Shrek Forever After (2010) – Billed as the "final chapter"
• Puss in Boots (2011) – Antonio Banderas' spin-off about the swashbuckling feline
• Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022) – A surprise critical and commercial success
• Shrek 5 – Currently in development
• A Broadway musical adaptation
• Halloween and Christmas TV specials
• Video games, theme park rides, and endless merchandise

But beyond the sequels and spin-offs, Shrek became a cultural touchstone. The memes—"Shrek is love, Shrek is life," "Somebody once told me"—have taken on a life of their own. The film is referenced constantly in other media. It's taught in university courses about animation, satire, and post-modernism.

The 25th Anniversary Re-Release (May 15-17, 2026)

For three days only—May 15 through May 17, 2026—Shrek is back in theaters nationwide to celebrate its 25th anniversary . This is not just a streaming re-watch. This is the big screen. The way the film was meant to be experienced.

Tickets are available now on Fandango. Some theaters may extend the run depending on local programming, but the official engagement is three days. Don't miss it.

Final Verdict: A Perfect 10/10

My rating is 10 out of 10. Shrek is not just a great animated film. It's a great film, period. It changed the animation industry. It changed the way we tell stories. It taught a generation that being different is okay. It made us laugh at fart jokes and cry at "Hallelujah." It gave us an ogre, a donkey, a dragon, and a princess who didn't need saving.

I've watched it dozens of times. I'll watch it dozens more. And it never gets old.

Recommendation: See it in theaters for the 25th anniversary. Take your kids if you have them. Take your parents. Take yourself. Sit in the dark and let the swamp wash over you. And when Smash Mouth starts playing, smile.

Have you seen Shrek in theaters? Are you planning to catch the 25th anniversary re-release? And what's your favorite moment—Donkey and the dragon, the "Hallelujah" montage, or something else? Let me know in the comments!

And suggest a movie for my next review! I'm in the mood for another animated classic that changed the game.

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See also My full list of 2026 movie reviews →