Milestone Years
- 25th Anniversary: May 18, 2026
- 30th Anniversary: May 18, 2031
- 40th Anniversary: May 18, 2041
- 50th Anniversary: May 18, 2051
Inspiration Behind the Movie
Based on William Steig’s 1990 children’s book Shrek!, the film was brought to life by DreamWorks Animation. The creators wanted to subvert traditional fairy tales with edgy humor, pop culture references, and heart—making a film that appealed to both kids and adults.
You Might Not Know
- Nicolas Cage turned down the role of Shrek because he didn’t want to be seen as ugly.
- Chris Farley originally voiced Shrek and had recorded most of his lines before his passing.
- The animation team created over 36 different layers just for Shrek’s skin.
- “All Star” by Smash Mouth gained renewed popularity thanks to the movie.
- Shrek won the first-ever Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
Food Ideas
- Food Ideas:
- Swamp punch (green lime soda with sherbet)
- Ogre ears (green apple slices dipped in chocolate)
- “Donkey Waffles” with syrup and whipped cream
- Fiona’s fairy tale fruit skewers
- Shrek-shaped sugar cookies with green frosting
Release Date: May 18, 2001
Summary:
Grumpy ogre Shrek’s swampy solitude is disrupted by a flood of fairy tale creatures. To reclaim his peace, he strikes a deal to rescue Princess Fiona for the scheming Lord Farquaad—only to discover that love and friendship can blossom in the most unexpected places.
Genre(s) and MPAA Rating: Animation, Comedy, Fantasy, PG
Key Cast Members:
- Mike Myers
- Eddie Murphy
- Cameron Diaz
- John Lithgow
Ways to Celebrate
- Host a Shrek costume night (ogres, donkeys, dragons welcome!)
- Create your own fairy tale swamp with fun decorations
- Sing along to the iconic soundtrack
- Play “spot the fairy tale reference” throughout the movie
- Watch the entire Shrek series for a full fairy tale marathon
Filming Locations
- As an animated film, Shrek was created entirely within DreamWorks Animation studios
- Visual inspirations came from European castles, forests, and fairy tale illustrations
- The design of Duloc was based on theme parks and overly perfect medieval towns