Summary
In a film industry of often unnecessary reboots, sequels, and spinoffs, makingShrek 5after sixteen years would be far more alarming if a certain recent movie didn’t instill hope for the franchise. Whenranking theShrekmovies, the original two are generally the standout films, with the subsequent sequels falling off.2010’sShrek Forever Aftermissed the mark, with a 57% score on Rotten Tomatoesand an even worse 54% from audiences. With that in mind, adding another sequel risks piling onto a lousy streak and tarnishing the franchise’s name.
TheShrek 5release dateis currently planned as July 2026, which is still a long way off. In terms of recent animated films, there’s quite a mixed bag.Inside Out 2was a massive success, whileDespicable Me 4andKung Fu Panda 4were met with more mixed reviews. Theselate animation sequels have an enormous amount of pressure because they’re dealing with such beloved materialthat’s already experienced multiple rehashes. Eventually, it becomes redundant, but there are reasons to believeShrek 5could be more of a reinvention.
Puss In Boots: The Last Wish Elevated The Franchise After A Big Gap Between Movies
The Last Wish Arrived 11 Years After 2011’s Puss In Boots
Over a decade after the failed 2011Puss in Bootsspinoff attempt, Dreamworks took a different approach to the feline hero, resulting in one of the most artistically impressive, narratively engaging, and thematically moving animated movies of the decade.Puss in Boots: The Last Wishproves that theShrekfranchise not only has more to give but that there’s a possibility for reinventionthat could make it even better than ever.
A newPuss in Bootsmovie, eleven years after the previous attempt and twelve years afterShrek Forever After,was a pretty big risk, and it’s unlikely thatShrek 5would be possible without it. TheThe Last Wishendingteased the return ofShrekwith Puss sailing off and declaring he’s going to visit old friends. However, had the movie been a critical and commercial disaster, it’s possible the franchise could have remained untouched. But Dreamworks has proven they’re still in the game and that theShreksaga has more to offer.
Shrek 5 Can Benefit From Puss In Boots: The Last Wish
The Last Wish Offers A Blueprint For Future Movies In The Franchise
Now thatPuss in Boots: The Last Wishhas revitalized the franchise,Shrek 5can utilize it as a reference. Of course, the movie has a different tone from what audiences have come to expect from theShreksaga, but similar elements can be incorporated. For example,using the art style ofThe Last Wishis an instant method to giveShrek 5a fresh, appealing lookthat could still capture the physical humor of the original animation while utilizingThe Last Wish’smore vibrant aesthetic.
In terms of narrative, there are plenty of directions for futureShrekmovies to go that can have similarly meaningful storytelling. Rivaling the likes of Lord Farquadd, Fairy Godmother, and Prince Charming with a new antagonist will be tough, but the Wolf fromPuss in Bootsoffers a different, compelling villain type that future installments can model after.IfShrek 5comes back with a fun new story, fresh art, and a killer soundtrack, it could definitely be the start of a new chapterfor the film series. There’s certainly still an interest in moreShrekmovies.
Puss In Boots' Shrek 5 Absence Is Only Good If DreamWorks Is Going To Make This Sequel Too
The upcoming Shrek 5 anticipated sequel may or may not feature Puss in Boots to resume his journey from Puss In Boots: The Last Wish
Shrek 5 Learning From The Last Wish Can Get The Main Franchise Back On Track
Puss In Boots Proves That The Long Gap Between Shrek 4 & 5 Isn’t Necessarily A Problem
Shrek the ThirdandShrek Forever Afterhave less than desirable scores with critics and audiences, butthere’s still so much love and admiration for the first twoShrekmovies. Not only are they outstanding animation movies, but they’re simply some of the best family movies ever made and have proven so far to have a timeless appeal. Reviving any franchise is a daunting task that needs to be handled with respect and care, but there’s a genuine opportunity here for theShrekfranchise to come back better than ever.
The aspects that made the originalShrekmovies so successful are still applicable to making a solid movie today.Puss in Boots: The Last Wishproves that to be true. Not only wouldPuss in Boots 3, in the style ofThe Last Wish, be exciting, but the coreShrekseries being overhauled seems incredibly promising.Shrek 5may have to win back over audiences after such a long break between installments, but if done correctly, it could be the best one yet.
Shrek 5
Shrek 5 is the fifth installment in the popular animated film series.
