Released in 2001, Shrek is an American computer-animated fantasy film that draws inspiration from William Steig’s 1990 fairy tale picture book of the same name. It was directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson, marking their directorial debut. The cast includes the voices of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, and John Lithgow. The film cleverly parodies various children’s fantasy movies, particularly animated Disney films.
Shrek centers on an ogre named Shrek, voiced by Myers, whose peaceful swamp is invaded by fairy tale creatures banished there by the villainous Lord Farquaad, voiced by Lithgow. To reclaim his swamp, Shrek strikes a deal with Farquaad to find him a queen in exchange for his property deed. Accompanied by a talkative Donkey, voiced by Murphy, Shrek encounters Princess Fiona, voiced by Diaz. As they journey to deliver Fiona to Farquaad for marriage, Shrek develops feelings for the princess and uncovers a surprising secret about her.
Initially, Steven Spielberg acquired the rights to Steig’s book in 1991 with plans for a traditional animated adaptation. Eventually, the project transitioned to DreamWorks in 1994 and was fast-tracked for development under Jeffrey Katzenberg. Following the tragic passing of Chris Farley, who had begun recording as the titular character, Mike Myers took over and infused the role with a Scottish accent.
DreamWorks Animation’s Shrek solidified its place as a strong contender against Pixar in the realm of computer-animated feature films. It achieved global box office success, grossing $484.4 million against a $60 million budget. Noteworthy for blending adult-oriented humor with a kid-friendly storyline, Shrek won the inaugural Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and received praise for its screenplay adaptation.
The film’s triumph led to the creation of sequels, holiday specials, and spin-off projects, expanding the Shrek universe. The original film also inspired a range of merchandise, including video games, a stage musical, and a comic book adaptation. In recognition of its popularity, the character Shrek was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in May 2010.
