Shrek is a 2001 American computer-animated fantasy film that draws inspiration from William Steig’s 1990 fairy tale picture book of the same title. Directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson in their directorial debut, the film features the voices of renowned actors such as Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, and John Lithgow. Serving as a playful parody of films adapted from various children’s fantasies, particularly animated Disney movies, Shrek narrates the tale of an ogre named Shrek (voiced by Myers). The story unfolds as Shrek’s swamp becomes inhabited by fairy tale creatures banished there by the malevolent Lord Farquaad (voiced by Lithgow). To reclaim his swamp, Shrek strikes a deal with Farquaad to retrieve a queen in exchange for ownership of his land.
Accompanied by a chatty Donkey (voiced by Murphy), Shrek encounters Princess Fiona (voiced by Diaz) who they are to deliver to Farquaad for marriage. During their journey, Shrek develops feelings for Fiona and uncovers a surprising secret about her. Initially, Steven Spielberg acquired the rights to Steig’s book in 1991 with the idea of creating a traditionally animated film. Nonetheless, the project was eventually brought to DreamWorks in 1994, where it swiftly entered active development under the guidance of Jeffrey Katzenberg.
As production progressed, Mike Myers replaced Chris Farley as the voice of Shrek, infusing the character with a Scottish accent. The film initially considered motion capture but ultimately enlisted Pacific Data Images to achieve its distinctive computer-animated style. Shrek’s commercial success solidified DreamWorks Animation as a standout rival to Pixar, garnering $484.4 million worldwide against a $60 million production budget. Acclaimed for its ability to captivate both adults and children, Shrek secured the inaugural Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and received several nominations at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.
The film’s triumph led to the creation of three sequels, two holiday specials, and a spin-off, alongside a range of merchandise and adaptations including video games, a stage musical, and a comic book series. In recognition of its impact, the beloved character Shrek was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in May 2010.
