- Primary Subject: The upcoming Shrek spinoff film, Donkey
- Key Update: Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation have officially set a release date for the Shrek spinoff movie starring Donkey.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: June 26, 2026
- Quick Answer: Universal Pictures announced a June 30, 2028, release date for the Shrek spinoff Donkey, an origin story featuring the return of voice actor Eddie Murphy.
Universal Pictures has set a 2028 release date for the long-awaited Shrek spinoff movie centering on Eddie Murphy's Donkey.
Fans are looking forward to the release of the upcoming fifth Shrek movie, which is set to arrive in theaters next year. It will mark the return of Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, and the gang to the big screen after 17 years of absence. Aside from this installment, DreamWorks has also been working on a new spinoff that will focus on Donkey, a fan-favorite character in the franchise.
What to Expect in Donkey Spinoff Movie
Deadline confirmed that Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation have set a June 30, 2028, release date for Donkey, the spinoff movie that will focus on Eddie Murphy's character.
The plot details are currently under wraps, but it's been described as an origin story on "how a donkey became Donkey." Murphy will be reprising his iconic voice role.
The film is directed by Charlie Bean (known for his work in The Lego Ninjago Movie) and co-directed by Matt Flynn (who worked as a story artist on another Shrek spinoff, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish).
In an interview last year, Murphy confirmed that they were already working on the Donkey spinoff movie while production on Shrek 5 was also underway.
"We’re still in the booth, and literally, we’re still doing Shrek [5]. We start in September on Donkey — we’re doing a Donkey one, and that’ll [be released] three years from now. But we’re about two years into Shrek 5. Still in the booth and about to start Donkey in September," he said.
Murphy also teased that the Donkey spinoff movie is expected to take a similar path to the Puss in Boots films.
He added, "Donkey‘s going to be like how Puss in Boots had his own movie, Donkey’s going to have his own movie — [his] own little story with his dragon wife and his kids that are half-dragon and half-donkeys. They’ve written this funny story. We’re doing that, starting that in September."
What is Shrek 5 About?
For now, fans can look forward to the release of Shrek 5. It is currently slated for release in theaters on June 30, 2027.
Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz return to their signature roles as Shrek, Donkey, and Fiona. Zendaya joins the cast as Shrek and Fiona’s daughter Felicia, along with Marcello Hernandez and Skyler Gisondo as Felicia’s brothers, Fergus and Farkle.
The film is directed by acclaimed filmmakers and Shrek franchise veterans Conrad Vernon and Walt Dohrn, and produced by returning producer Gina Shay, who produced Shrek Forever After, and by Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri.
Stay tuned for news and updates regarding the film in the coming months.
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