Film · in order
Shrek Movies in Order
The four main Shrek films (2001-2010) play as one continuous story in release order, followed by the two Puss in Boots spinoffs. A chronological view slots the 2011 prequel earlier.
Shrek Movies in Order: complete list
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Why this order?
The good news for Shrek is that the simplest plan is also the right one. The four core films, Shrek (2001), Shrek 2 (2004), Shrek the Third (2007) and Shrek Forever After (2010), were made as a continuous saga, and each picks up roughly where the last left off. Watch them in release order and you watch them in story order, with no detours or fixes required. That is why release order is the default here.
The two Puss in Boots films are the only thing that complicates the picture, and only a little. Puss in Boots (2011) is a spinoff prequel that follows the swashbuckling cat before he ever meets Shrek, while Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022) is set after the main saga and continues his solo adventures. In release order they simply sit at the end, which keeps the DreamWorks tone building from the original gross-out fairy-tale satire toward the more grown-up, beautifully animated Last Wish.
The chronological order is offered for completists who want events in their internal timeline. Here the 2011 Puss in Boots prequel moves ahead of the main quartet, since it predates Donkey, Fiona and the swamp, while The Last Wish stays at the very end. It is a fun way to view the spinoffs but not the recommended first watch, because the prequel works best once you already love the character.
If you enjoy this corner of DreamWorks, the Madagascar and Kung Fu Panda series share its studio comedy DNA. For Shrek specifically, though, release order is all you need.
Timeline 2001-2022
Every entry by release year: rows that share a year are a cluster, and the long droughts are called out on the rail.
- 2001 Shrek
- 2004 2
- 2007 the Third
- 2010 Forever After
- 2011 Puss in Boots
- 11-year gap
- 2022 Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
Where to play it today
Availability changes often and varies by region - links search each platform for Shrek.
Frequently asked questions
How many Shrek movies are there?
There are four main Shrek films released between 2001 and 2010, plus two Puss in Boots spinoff films (2011 and 2022), for six in total. A fifth main Shrek film is in development.
What order should I watch Shrek in?
Watch in release order: Shrek (2001), Shrek 2 (2004), Shrek the Third (2007) and Shrek Forever After (2010), then the two Puss in Boots films. Release order is the story order for the main films.
Do I need to watch the Puss in Boots movies?
No, they are optional spinoffs. Puss in Boots (2011) is a standalone prequel and The Last Wish (2022) is a sequel. Both are enjoyable on their own but are not required to follow the main Shrek story.
Is Puss in Boots a prequel or a sequel?
The 2011 Puss in Boots is a prequel, set before Puss meets Shrek. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022) is a sequel set after the events of the main Shrek saga.
Is there a Shrek 5?
A fifth Shrek film is in development at DreamWorks, with the original voice cast attached. It has not been released yet, so it is not included in this watch order.
Are the Shrek movies connected to Puss in Boots?
Yes. Puss in Boots first appears in Shrek 2 and becomes a core character. The two Puss in Boots films expand his story before and after the main Shrek saga within the same DreamWorks universe.
Last verified · Sources: en.wikipedia.org, Wikidata
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