Shrek Movies in Order: Release Order and Chronological Order
The Shrek movies in order of release are Shrek (2001), Shrek 2 (2004), Shrek the Third (2007), Shrek Forever After (2010), Puss in Boots (2011) and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022). That is four main films plus two spin-offs. In chronological order, Puss in Boots (2011) comes first, followed by Shrek (2001) and the remaining films in release order. Shrek 5 is dated for June 30, 2027 in the US and sits outside both lists until it opens.
Shrek Movies in Order of Release
Shrek (2001)Directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson
Shrek 2 (2004)Directed by Andrew Adamson and Kelly Asbury and Conrad Vernon
Shrek the Third (2007)Directed by Chris Miller
Shrek Forever After (2010)Directed by Mike Mitchell
Puss in Boots (2011)Spin-off
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)Spin-off
Shrek Movies in Chronological Order
- Puss in Boots (2011)Released as film 5
- Shrek (2001)Released as film 1
- Shrek 2 (2004)Released as film 2
- Shrek the Third (2007)Released as film 3
- Shrek Forever After (2010)Released as film 4
- Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)Spin-off
About the Release Order
The Shrek movies in order of release start with Shrek in 2001 and end, so far, with Puss in Boots: The Last Wish in 2022. The series is four main films plus two spin-offs, and all six carry a PG rating in the US.
- Shrek (2001), directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson, 90 minutes (main film)
- Shrek 2 (2004), directed by Andrew Adamson, Kelly Asbury and Conrad Vernon, 92 minutes (main film)
- Shrek the Third (2007), directed by Chris Miller, 93 minutes (main film)
- Shrek Forever After (2010), directed by Mike Mitchell, 93 minutes (main film, often called Shrek 4)
- Puss in Boots (2011), directed by Chris Miller, 90 minutes (spin-off)
- Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022), directed by Joel Crawford, 103 minutes (spin-off)
Release order works because each main film hands something to the next. Shrek 2 brings in Antonio Banderas as Puss in Boots, alongside Prince Charming and Fairy Godmother, and Shrek the Third sends Shrek, Donkey and Puss off to find Fiona's cousin Artie so that Shrek can avoid the throne. Shrek Forever After then opens on a family man who misses the days when people feared him. The two spin-offs follow, built around the cat who first appeared in Shrek 2.
Shrek 5 is not part of either order yet because it has not been released; Variety reports a US release date of June 30, 2027. The film will join the end of the release order when it opens. The latest details sit on the Shrek 5 page, and the full Shrek movies overview covers every film in one place.
About the Chronological Order
The Shrek movies in chronological order begin with Puss in Boots (2011) and then follow release order, so only one film changes seat. The story order is as follows.
- Puss in Boots (2011)
- Shrek (2001)
- Shrek 2 (2004)
- Shrek the Third (2007)
- Shrek Forever After (2010)
- Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)
Puss in Boots goes first because its story belongs to the cat's earlier life, before he appears in Shrek 2. He is a wanted outlaw who has been on the run since leaving his hometown of San Ricardo, and he hears about magic beans that grow a beanstalk to a giant's castle. There he crosses paths with the cat burglar Kitty Softpaws and with Humpty Dumpty, his closest friend from their orphan days. Anyone following this order therefore meets Puss before Shrek, and then sees him again in the second film.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish stays last in both orders. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022) finds Puss with only one of his nine lives left, with a hooded wolf stalking him. For a fuller account of how the stories connect, the Shrek timeline goes through them era by era.
Where to Start: Which Shrek Order Should You Pick?
Watch the Shrek movies in release order, starting with Shrek (2001), because the sequels build on the bond between Shrek, Donkey and Princess Fiona that the first film sets up. Think of it like a television series: start late and you will spend the first twenty minutes catching up.
If you have already seen the main films, chronological order makes a fresh rewatch. Puss in Boots (2011) works as an introduction to the cat, with Banderas voicing him from the start, before Shrek 2 puts him in the same room as an ogre. Newcomers should avoid this order, because their first film would be a spin-off.
All six Shrek films are rated PG in the US and Australia, and in the UK every film is a U except Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, which is PG. That film is also the longest at 103 minutes, and a hooded wolf stalks Puss, so we recommend it for older children, while the other five suit younger viewers.
As of November 3, 2026, five of the six Shrek films stream on Peacock in the US and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish streams on Netflix. That comes from JustWatch data on TMDB, and availability changes often, so check where to watch Shrek before you plan the evening. If you want a verdict on which film is best, see Shrek movies ranked. Tonight, press play on Shrek (2001), and keep The Last Wish for a weekend when the whole family can sit through it together.
Facts
- Shrek (2001) opened in the US on May 18, 2001. The Numbers, checked 2026-11-03
- Shrek 2 (2004) opened in the US on May 19, 2004. Box Office Mojo, checked 2026-11-03
- Shrek the Third (2007) opened nationwide in the US on May 18, 2007. Screen Daily, checked 2026-11-03
- Shrek Forever After (2010) opened in the US on May 21, 2010. TheWrap, checked 2026-11-03
- Puss in Boots (2011) opened in the US on October 28, 2011. The Numbers, checked 2026-11-03
- Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022) opened in the US on December 21, 2022. Box Office Mojo, checked 2026-11-03
- Puss in Boots: The Last Wish runs 103 minutes. TMDB, checked 2026-11-03
FAQs
In what order should I watch the Shrek movies?
Watch them in release order: Shrek (2001), Shrek 2 (2004), Shrek the Third (2007), Shrek Forever After (2010), Puss in Boots (2011) and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022). That sequence introduces each character when the sequels expect you to know them.
What is the Shrek chronological order?
Puss in Boots (2011), Shrek (2001), Shrek 2 (2004), Shrek the Third (2007), Shrek Forever After (2010), then Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022).
Is Shrek 5 officially confirmed?
Yes. Shrek 5 is in production at Universal and DreamWorks Animation, and its US release date of June 30, 2027 is confirmed, according to Variety, which reported the delay on August 11, 2025. The date has not changed since then. It moved twice before that: from July 1, 2026 to December 23, 2026, and then to June 30, 2027. A first teaser came out on June 16, 2026, and voice recording was reported complete in August 2026. The cast and directors are reported by Variety Australia rather than announced in a full official credit list: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz return as Shrek, Donkey and Fiona, joined by Zendaya as Felicia, Marcello Hernández as Fergus and Skyler Gisondo as Farkle. Walt Dohrn, Conrad Vernon and Brad Ableson are reported as directors. No UK or Australian release date has been found.
Is there a fifth Shrek movie?
Yes. Shrek 5 is the fifth main Shrek film, following Shrek, Shrek 2, Shrek the Third and Shrek Forever After. It has not been released yet and is dated for June 30, 2027 in the US. Counting the two Puss in Boots spin-offs, it would be the seventh film in the series overall.
Do I need to watch Shrek before Puss in Boots: The Last Wish?
No, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish works as a standalone film, so you can start there. The first film, Shrek (2001), adds context for the characters, but you do not have to watch the Shrek movies in order to follow it.
How many Shrek films are there?
There are four main Shrek films plus two spin-offs, six in total. The main films are Shrek, Shrek 2, Shrek the Third and Shrek Forever After, which is commonly called Shrek 4. It was directed by Mike Mitchell, and in it Shrek makes a deal with Rumpelstiltskin to be a frightening ogre for one day. The spin-offs are Puss in Boots (2011) and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022).