Shrek is a beloved animated movie franchise that has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide. But just how many Shrek movies are there?
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: there are four Shrek movies in total.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at each of the Shrek movies and explore what makes them so special. From the original Shrek to the latest installment, we’ll cover it all.
Shrek
Shrek is a popular animated film franchise that has been enjoyed by audiences of all ages. The series follows the adventures of a grumpy ogre named Shrek and his loyal donkey sidekick, as they navigate through various challenges and obstacles.
Plot Summary
The first Shrek movie was released in 2001 and centers around Shrek’s attempts to regain his swamp after it is overrun by fairytale creatures. Along the way, he meets and rescues Princess Fiona, who is imprisoned in a tower guarded by a fire-breathing dragon. The subsequent movies follow the adventures of Shrek and his friends as they face new challenges and adventures.
Cast
The Shrek movies feature an all-star cast, including Mike Myers as Shrek, Eddie Murphy as Donkey, and Cameron Diaz as Princess Fiona. Other notable actors who have lent their voices to the series include Antonio Banderas, Julie Andrews, and John Lithgow.
Box Office Performance
The Shrek movies have been a massive commercial success, with the franchise grossing over $3.5 billion worldwide. The first movie alone grossed over $484 million, making it one of the highest-grossing films of 2001. The sequels, Shrek 2 and Shrek the Third, were also major hits, grossing $919 million and $799 million, respectively.
The franchise has also won numerous awards, including an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature for the first movie. The series has been praised for its humor, heart, and memorable characters, and remains a beloved classic of the animation genre.
Shrek 2
Shrek 2 is a 2004 animated comedy film directed by Andrew Adamson, Kelly Asbury, and Conrad Vernon. It is the second installment in the Shrek franchise and was produced by DreamWorks Animation. The film is based on William Steig’s book, Shrek!, and features the voices of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, and Antonio Banderas.
Plot Summary
The film follows Shrek and his wife Fiona as they return from their honeymoon to find a royal messenger inviting them to visit Fiona’s parents, who are unaware of their daughter’s transformation into an ogre. Along with Donkey, the trio embarks on a journey to the Kingdom of Far Far Away to meet Fiona’s parents. However, they soon discover that the Fairy Godmother has plans of her own for Fiona’s future, leading to a series of comical mishaps and adventures.
Cast
- Mike Myers as Shrek
- Eddie Murphy as Donkey
- Cameron Diaz as Fiona
- Antonio Banderas as Puss in Boots
- Julie Andrews as Queen Lillian
- John Cleese as King Harold
- Jennifer Saunders as Fairy Godmother
Box Office Performance
Shrek 2 was a massive commercial success, grossing over $919 million worldwide and becoming the highest-grossing animated film of all time at the time of its release. It was also critically acclaimed, receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature and winning the award for Best Original Song for “Accidentally in Love” by Counting Crows.
| Film | Box Office Gross |
|---|---|
| Shrek | $484.4 million |
| $919.8 million | |
| Shrek the Third | $798 million |
| Shrek Forever After | $752.6 million |
As of 2021, the Shrek franchise has grossed over $3.5 billion worldwide, making it one of the most successful animated film franchises of all time.
Shrek the Third
Released in 2007, “Shrek the Third” is the third installment of the Shrek franchise. The movie was directed by Chris Miller and Raman Hui, and produced by DreamWorks Animation. It was a commercial success, grossing over $798 million worldwide.
Plot Summary
The plot of “Shrek the Third” revolves around Shrek’s journey to find a suitable heir to the throne of Far Far Away after the death of the king. Shrek, Donkey, and Puss in Boots set out to find the only other heir, Arthur Pendragon, while Prince Charming leads a group of villains in an attempt to take over the kingdom. Along the way, Shrek also deals with his own self-doubt and fear of fatherhood.
Cast
The movie features an all-star cast, with Mike Myers reprising his role as Shrek, Eddie Murphy as Donkey, Antonio Banderas as Puss in Boots, and Cameron Diaz as Princess Fiona. Other notable cast members include Julie Andrews as Queen Lillian, John Cleese as King Harold, and Justin Timberlake as Arthur Pendragon.
Box Office Performance
“Shrek the Third” was a box office hit, grossing over $121 million in its opening weekend in the United States and Canada. It went on to gross over $322 million in the US and Canada, and over $475 million in other territories. Its worldwide gross of $798 million made it the third highest-grossing film of 2007, and the second highest-grossing animated film of all time at the time of its release.
Shrek Forever After
Shrek Forever After is the fourth and final installment in the Shrek film series. It was released in 2010 and directed by Mike Mitchell. The movie is also known as Shrek: The Final Chapter or Shrek 4.
Plot Summary
In this movie, Shrek is feeling bored and trapped in his domestic life with Fiona and their three children. He longs for the days when he was a “real ogre” and people were afraid of him. Rumpelstiltskin, a deceitful little man, offers Shrek a chance to relive one day as a “real ogre” in exchange for one day from Shrek’s childhood. Shrek agrees, but Rumpelstiltskin tricks him and takes away the day he was born, causing Shrek to disappear from existence.
Shrek must then find a way to reverse the curse and save his friends and family from a world where he never existed.
Cast
The voice cast includes:
- Mike Myers as Shrek
- Eddie Murphy as Donkey
- Cameron Diaz as Princess Fiona
- Antonio Banderas as Puss in Boots
- Julie Andrews as Queen Lillian
- John Cleese as King Harold
Box Office Performance
Shrek Forever After grossed over $752 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film in the Shrek series and the 12th highest-grossing animated film of all time. However, it received mixed reviews from critics and fans alike, with some feeling that the movie was a disappointing end to the beloved franchise.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Shrek franchise has produced four incredible movies that have entertained audiences of all ages. With its unique blend of humor, heart, and unforgettable characters, it’s no wonder that the Shrek movies are some of the most beloved animated films of all time.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer to the series, there’s never been a better time to revisit the world of Shrek. So grab some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the magic of these timeless movies.
