Shrek and Toy Story, the popular DreamWorks and Pixar animated franchises, will receive their fifth film entries in Summer 2026.
With a release date window that is extremely close to one another, this could represent the largest clash between two of the biggest animated series in the history of motion pictures.
Toy Story was the first film to be released by Disney Pixar Animation Studios in 1995, and told the story of a world in which toys come alive when humans aren’t around to look, captivating the imaginations of audiences of all ages. It set the standard for what the medium in general could become. It received three film sequels, including Toy Story 2 (1999), Toy Story 3 (2010), and Toy Story 4 (2019). It also saw the release of a spin-off film, Lightyear (2022).
Shrek was made by DreamWorks Animation, the first film released in 2001, delivering a blend of satire, humor, and heart to the fairy tale genre. The success of the original movie turned the brand into a major franchise, with three additional films including Shrek 2 (2003), Shrek the Third (2007), and Shrek Forever After (2010). What’s more, a spin-off franchise featuring the iconic Puss in Boots saw a feature film in 2011 and an episodic animated series called The Adventures of Puss in Boots (2015-2018).
DreamWorks Animation has confirmed that Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz will return for Shrek 5 to reprise the roles of Shrek, Donkey, and Fiona respectively.
Although we have yet to receive confirmation about the casting of Toy Story 5 from Pixar, the odds are good fans can expect the previous actors to reprise their roles.