Official Release Date Announced for ‘Donkey’ Solo Animated Movie (Shrek Spin-off) in 2028
According to the CinemaDrame News Agency, Shrek’s beloved, fast-talking, and fiercely loyal sidekick, Donkey, is finally stepping into the spotlight as the main star of his very own standalone animated feature, titled Donkey.
Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation have officially set June 30, 2028, as the theatrical release date for the spin-off, with Eddie Murphy returning to lend his iconic voice to the legendary character. The film is slated to be an origin story, exploring how he grew into the unforgettable Donkey audiences know and love today.
The project will be helmed by Charlie Bean (director of The Lego Ninjago Movie and the live-action Lady and the Tramp), with Rebecca Huntley (producer of Kung Fu Panda 4 and The Bad Guys) serving as producer. Additionally, Matt Flynn, whose animation credits include The Wild Robot, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, and The Bad Guys 2, has boarded the project as co-director.
One year prior to the solo film’s arrival in theaters, Universal and DreamWorks will debut Shrek 5 in the summer of 2027. Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz are all set to reprise their iconic roles as Shrek, Donkey, and Fiona in the fairy-tale kingdom of Far Far Away, with Zendaya officially joining the ensemble cast. Shrek 5 is being directed by franchise veterans Conrad Vernon and Walt Dohrn.
The Shrek cinematic universe, which kicked off with its original installment in 2001, became one of the most successful and enduring franchises in film history by delivering a satirical, subverted twist on classic fairy tales. The original film grossed nearly $500 million worldwide and made history by winning the first-ever Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. That legacy expanded through three sequels—Shrek 2, Shrek the Third, and Shrek Forever After—alongside two Puss in Boots spin-offs, collectively amassing over $3 billion at the global box office.
