Shrek
Movie, 2001, Shrek, Set in Far Far Away
Shrek is #5 of 51 in release order and #25 of 51 in chronological order in the DreamWorks Animation.
The story
It ain't easy bein' green -- especially if you're a likable (albeit smelly) ogre named Shrek. On a mission to retrieve a gorgeous princess from the clutches of a fire-breathing dragon, Shrek teams up with an unlikely compatriot -- a wisecracking donkey.
Shrek recap
Shrek is an ogre who wants only his swamp, until Lord Farquaad of Duloc exiles every fairy-tale creature into it. Shrek, followed by a talkative Donkey, goes to Duloc to complain, and Farquaad makes a deal: rescue Princess Fiona from her dragon-guarded tower so Farquaad can marry her and become a king, and Shrek gets his swamp back. Shrek and Donkey free Fiona, escaping the Dragon, who falls for Donkey. On the long walk back, Shrek and Fiona slowly fall for each other. Donkey discovers Fiona's secret: a curse turns her into an ogre every night, and only true love's kiss will give her love's true form. Shrek overhears half a conversation, believes Fiona finds him repulsive, and hands her over to Farquaad.
Shrek ending explained
Donkey tells Shrek the truth, and Shrek, riding the Dragon, interrupts the wedding to declare his love. The sun sets, Fiona turns into an ogre in front of everyone, Farquaad orders them seized, and the Dragon bursts in and swallows him. Shrek and Fiona kiss, the curse breaks, and her true form is an ogre. They marry in the swamp, and Shrek 2 picks up with their honeymoon.
Post-credits scenes
The cast performs "I'm a Believer" at the wedding party as the credits begin. There is no post-credits scene.
Where to watch Shrek
Shrek is streaming on Peacock in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 7.9/10, Rotten Tomatoes 89%
Where it fits
- Release order: after Chicken Run, before Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron.
- Chronological order: after Puss in Boots, before Shrek 2.
What to watch before Shrek
Nothing. Shrek (2001) doesn't continue an earlier version, so it stands on its own.
Cast
- Mike Myers as Shrek / Blind Mouse (voice)
- Eddie Murphy as Donkey (voice)
- Cameron Diaz as Princess Fiona (voice)
- John Lithgow as Lord Farquaad (voice)
- Vincent Cassel as Monsieur Hood (voice)
- Peter Dennis as Ogre Hunter (voice)
- Clive Pearse as Ogre Hunter (voice)
- Jim Cummings as Captain of the Guards (voice)
- Bobby Block as Baby Bear (voice)
- Chris Miller as Geppetto / Magic Mirror (voice)
- Cody Cameron as Pinnochio / Three Pigs (voice)
- Kathleen Freeman as Old Woman (voice)
Directed by Andrew Adamson, Vicky Jenson.