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As we wait for Shrek 5's 2026 release, Netflix steps in to satisfy our nostalgia

The first three Shrek movies are currently among the most streamed films on Netflix right now.

Shrek opening screenshot
Image credit: Dreamworks

For nearly 25 years, Shrek has been a pop culture powerhouse. The first movie won the very first Oscar for Best Animated Film and went on to spawn multiple sequels and spin-offs, and gave DreamWorks the formula to become a dominant force in animation for decades. Now, as we all wait for Shrek 5 to come in December 2026, we’re turning to Netflix for our nostalgia fix, driving the first three Shrek movies into the streamer’s charts.

It shouldn’t be much of a surprise considering that we’ve been teased with hints about Shrek 5 for years now. Now that the first three Shrek movies are on Netflix in most regions, the public has been gobbling them up with a fearsome appetite. The first two films were in the top five most streamed movies on Netflix this week – beating out another Cameron Diaz film, Back in Action, in the process – while Shrek the Third just made it into the top ten.

Interestingly, Eddie Murphy also had a film in the top ten of Netflix this week. No, we’re not talking about the recent Beverly Hills Cop sequel; Norbit was seemingly buoyed by the rise in Shrek nostalgia to crack the charts as people seemingly decided to chase a good Eddie Murphy movie with a terrible one.

With the recent announcement that Shrek 5 won’t be out until December 2026, we’re nearly two years away from seeing our favorite ogre back on the big screen. Hopefully, we can all get our Shrek fix on Netflix until then.


Trent Cannon

Trent Cannon: Trent is a freelance writer who has been covering anime, video games, and pop culture for a decade. (He/Him)

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