Shrek fans can watch films for free this weekend (2025)

Donkey and 'Puss in Boots' sing Ricky Martin in Shrek 2

The Shrek films will be made available for free on a streaming service ahead of the release of the fifth movie. Production is in full swing on the new addition to the Shrek franchise, with DreamWorks Animation setting a release date of December 23, 2026.

Original stars Mike Myers (Shrek), Eddie Murphy (Donkey) and Cameron Diaz (Fiona) are all set to return for the eagerly awaited sequel, under the direction of Walt Dohrn. Dohrn has previously contributed as a writer and artist on the second and third films and served as Head of Story on the fourth film.

While fans may have another year to wait for the new film, they can watch the first three movies on BBC iPlayer. The Mirror reports Shrek, Shrek 2, and Shrek The Third will be released on BBC iPlayer on Sunday (February 16) for families and viewers to enjoy.

Shrek and Fiona at their wedding (Image: DreamWorks)

This comes as these films are due to be removed from Prime Video on Monday (February 17). The first Shrek film, released in 2001, follows the ogre (Mike Myers) as his swamp home is invaded by fairytale creatures banished by Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow).

Shrek was a massive box office success and became the fourth highest-grossing film of 2001. As a result, the film franchise established DreamWorks Animation as one of the leading animation studios, competing with the renowned Pixar.

The success of the first film led to the release of Shrek 2 in 2004, Shrek The Third in 2007 and Shrek Forever After in 2010.

Shrek 5 poster (Image: DreamWorks)

Moreover, the character of Puss in Boots, portrayed by Antonio Banderas, has been given two spin-off films: "Puss in Boots" released in 2011 and "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish" set to debut in 2022. Unfortunately, the fourth film in the series won't be accessible on BBC iPlayer but will be available on Apple TV+.

Shrek (MIKE MYERS) and Donkey (EDDIE MURPHY) don?t know what to make of the swashbuckling Puss In Boots in DreamWorks Pictures? computer-animated comedy SHREK 2. (Image: Unknown)

The films can also be purchased from the same platform or from Sky Store, Microsoft Store. In a recent announcement last month, Universal Pictures revealed that "Shrek 5" and "Minions 3" have swapped their release dates.

DreamWorks Animation's "Shrek 5" has been postponed from July 1, 2026, to December 23, 2026, while Illumination's "Minions 3" has been moved to the summer 2026 slot from its initially planned June 30, 2027 date.

Although the release date of December 2026 might seem distant, "Shrek 5" is scheduled to be released in time for the original film's 25th anniversary.