DreamWorks Animation recently dropped the Shrek 5 teaser—and it’s an absolute stinker. The beloved ogre (voiced by Mike Myers) is back, alongside Fiona (Cameron Diaz), Donkey (Eddie Murphy), and a new face, Felicia (Zendaya). However, something else has stolen the show: the film’s drastic animation style shift.
Gone are the gritty textures and rugged charm of the original trilogy. Instead, Shrek and company have been given a sleek, ultra-polished makeover that’s split fans faster than an onion’s layers. Some call it a fresh take, but others see it as a betrayal of the franchise’s scrappy, anti-fairy-tale roots.
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Shrek’s rugged look has been smoothed out, while Fiona’s sharp features have been softened. Oh, and Donkey’s scruffy mane? Yeah, that’s now sporting trendy grey streaks. But who’s behind it all? As it turns out, DreamWorks’ MoonRay engine, which is the same tech behind Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, is responsible for this atrocity.
And I’m not the only one that isn’t sold. “It’s like they’re trying to make Shrek appealing when the whole point of his character is that he’s an ugly a** ogre,” one user complained. Another asked, “Can we please bully the f*** out of DreamWorks […] like they did for live action Sonic?.” A third said, “I feel bad for the kids […] everything they consume is a byproduct of [TikTok] in order to ‘play it as safe as possible’ for shareholders.”
So, where does this leave the Shrek franchise exactly? Well, DreamWorks could double down on the new look—or bow to the pressure of die-hard fans. Fortunately, there’s at least some hope. The film is set for release in December 2026, allowing time for tweaks or for audiences to warm up to the change.
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