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Shrek: Here's how to watch the movies, the shorts, the TV show and more (Puss N Boots included!)

Somebody once told me the world was gonna roll me...

Shrek opening screenshot
Image credit: Dreamworks
Trent Cannon avatar
Guide by Trent Cannon Contributor
Published on

Anyone who thought the Shrek franchise was over shouldn’t have counted out the enduring power of Puss in Boots. His latest outing, 2022’s Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, has breathed new life into the main series, with rumors stirring that a fifth Shrek movie is in the works because there is nothing that Hollywood loves more than a sequel.

If you want to rewatch every movie in the Shrek series in order, there are two ways to do it – chronological or release order. Both have their merits, so it really depends on how you want to relive your journey to Far, Far Away.

How to watch the Shrek films in chronological order

Shrek 1 screenshot
Image credit: Dreamworks

Most of the Shrek movies take place in the order they were released, with the notable exception of Puss in Boots, which is a prequel that takes place before Shrek and Donkey ever meet. Otherwise, the chronological order is the same as the release order for the Shrek franchise.

Here is every movie in the Shrek franchise in chronological order:

How to watch the Shrek films in release order

Cover image for YouTube videoShrek (2001) Trailer #1 | Movieclips Classic Trailers
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The main benefit to watching the Shrek movies in release order is that you get to watch Dreamworks’ animation become better and better as the movies go. Don’t get us wrong, the first movie is great by the standard of the day, but it can’t hold a candle to the animation techniques on display in Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.

While it has been over a decade since we've seen Shrek, Donkey, and Princess Fiona, the success of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish has prompted plenty of talk about future films. Even Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri has added to the speculation, noting that talks were underway early in 2023 for a fifth Shrek movie - which may or may not be a reboot - and a Donkey spin-off film. We've added these to the release order but, because we have no other details than rampant speculation, we haven't added them to the chronological order.

Here is every Shrek movie in release order:

  • Shrek (2001)
  • Shrek in the Swamp Karaoke Dance Party (2001)
  • Scared 4-D (2003)
  • Shrek 2 (2004)
  • Far Far Away Idol (2004)
  • Shrek the Third (2007)
  • Shrek the Halls (2007)
  • Shrek Forever After (2010)
  • Scared Shrekless (2010)
  • Donkey's Caroling Christmas-tacular (2010)
  • Shrek's Yule Log (2010)
  • Thriller Night (2011)
  • The Pig Who Cried Werewolf (2011)
  • Puss in Boots (2011)
  • Puss in Boots: The Three Diablos (2011)
  • The Adventures of Puss in Boots Seasons 1-4(2015-2017)
  • Puss in Book: Trapped in an Epic Tale (2017)
  • The Adventures of Puss in Boots Seasons 5-6(2017-2018)
  • Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)
  • Puss in Boots: The Trident (2023)
  • Shrek 5 (TBD)
  • Untitled Donkey Spin-off (TBD)

What’s next for the Shrek franchise?

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish screenshot
Image credit: Dreamworks

The short answer is that we don’t know what the future holds for Shrek. There are rumors that we’ll be getting a fifth movie in the future, but nothing has been confirmed so far by either the studio or the cast. Until it is, it is best to take that chatter with a grain of salt and wait for something more substantial to be announced. However, considering the surprise success of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, we'd be surprised if conversations weren't happening about the next chapter of the Shrek story.

Where to watch the Shrek franchise

Shrek covered in babies
Image credit: Dreamworks

Unfortunately, there isn’t a single site that has the rights to every Shrek movie. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is currently on Netflix, while the first Puss in Boots movie comes with an Amazon Prime subscription. However, to watch the Shrek movies, you’ll need either a Hulu or Peacock subscription, making it difficult to have a Shrek movie marathon without spending a bit of money.

Making matters more complicated is that most of the holiday specials like Scared Shrekless and Thriller Night were included as DVD bonus features and never got a stand-alone release, so tracking them down can be difficult. The most bizarre release of all, however, has to be 2011's The Pig Who Cried Werewolf, which was released as a 3D video on the Nintendo 3DS.

Want to know what's coming up next in pop culture? Check out our guides to upcoming movies, upcoming TV shows, upcoming comics, and upcoming comic conventions. If you're looking for specific franchises or genres, we have all the upcoming MCU, upcoming Star Wars, upcoming Star Trek, and upcoming DC movies & TV for you. If you're a fan of superheroes and not specific to just Marvel or DC, we have overall guides to all the upcoming superhero movies and upcoming superhero TV shows (and new seasons) as well.

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