How do you watch the Shrek movies in order? Shrek, you know him, you love him, but do you know the best order to watch the adventures of Dreamwork's biggest character?
The Shrek franchise includes some of the best family movies around — accessible and entertaining for all. Previously, it was pretty easy to figure out how to watch the best movies in the series because of their number-based titles (Shrek 2, Shrek 3, etc.). Remember when movies used to do that? Thanks, Fast and Furious.
But now that there are new movies in the form of spin-offs, things are getting more muddled. So, we've taken it upon ourselves to do what's right and put together a guide on how to watch the Shrek movies in order — chronologically and by release date.
How to watch all the Shrek movies in chronological order:
- Puss in Boots (2011)
- Shrek (2001)
- Shrek 2 (2004)
- Shrek the Third (2007)
- Shrek Forever After (2010)
- Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)
Puss in Boots (2011)
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime (rent or purchase), and Apple TV
Puss in Boots is the first chronological installment in the SCU (the Shrek Cinematic Universe), and it tells the tale of Antonio Banderas' Puss prior to his introduction to the main story in Shrek 2. The film follows Puss as he tries to clear his name of a bank robbery that he did not commit.
In doing so, he has to bring his town a golden egg from a magical goose, with help from his friend — and sometimes more than a friend — Kitty Softpaws along the way. It works as a standalone movie and doesn't directly lead into the next Shrek movie, which is…
Shrek (2001)
Where to watch: Peacock, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV
Arguably the green GOAT, Shrek is the movie that kicked it all off with a bang. It introduced the world to Shrek (Mike Myers) and his crew and is the perfect example of one of the best kids movies that can also be watched and enjoyed by adults. In fact, we'd argue most people pressing play on it now are indeed not children.
Shrek charted the romance between the lonely swamp ogre and Fiona (Cameron Diaz) as they fight for their growing love in the face of the villainous Lord Farquaad. Endlessly quotable, there are only two other Shrek movies that challenge the original for the crown of the best Shrek movie.
Shrek 2 (2004)
Where to watch: Peacock, Amazon Prime and Apple TV
One of those is Shrek 2. Shrek 2 is every bit as good as Shrek, bringing some of the best cartoon characters (including Puss in Boots) into the story, which focused on Shrek using a magic wish to turn himself and Fiona into humans so that they could be better accepted by Fiona's family. It takes place shortly after the events of the first Shrek.
This all leads up to a brilliant climax set against Jennifer Saunders' rendition of Holding Out for a Hero involving a siege with a gigantic gingerbread man. It's just as dramatic as it sounds, and it's great.
Shrek the Third (2007)
Where to watch: Peacock, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV
This is where things started to go downhill, but Shrek 3 is still a serviceable movie, even if it doesn't live up to what preceded it. It largely centers on Prince Charming's (Rupert Everett) revenge after the events of Shrek 2, as the death of Fiona's father leaves a space for a new king.
The truth is, though, it's just not that memorable, with far fewer iconic, quotable, or riotously entertaining moments than the previous Shrek installments. If you skipped this one, you wouldn't miss too much.
Shrek Forever After (2010)
Where to watch: Amazon Prime and Apple TV
Shrek Forever After is an unfortunately named movie because it's the Shrek movie that pretty much put an end to the main Shrek movies. And there haven't been any Shrek movies… after. Sigh.
This one follows Shrek's descent into domesticity and his struggles with raising a family and being torn away from his previous life. He ends up signing a contract with the devious Rumpelstiltskin (Conrad Vernon), which leads to unintended consequences which he must deal with.
It's not awful, but it's far away from the quality of the first two Shrek movies. In fact, the Shrek movies have never fully recovered.
Puss and Boots: The Last Wish (2022)
Where to watch: Netflix, Amazon Prime and Apple TV
Or so we thought! Puss and Boots: The Last Wish could be the best Shrek movie ever. It was even nominated for an Oscar; no, you're not dreaming.
Puss and Boots The Last Wish brings the audience up to date with the adventures of the titular character post-Shrek 4. He finds that his nine lives are quickly running out, leading him toward a confrontation with death. Literally.
It's better than anyone could have ever expected, with some exceptional animation (which has never been the series' strong point), and it reinvigorated the Shrek Cinematic Universe. Yes, that is the term we're going to use. Check out our Puss In Boots: The Last Wish review for more.
How to watch all the Shrek movies in release order:
- Shrek (2001)
- Shrek 2 (2004)
- Shrek the Third (2007)
- Shrek Forever After (2010)
- Spin-offs
- Puss in Boots (2011)
- Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)
A new Shrek movie recently got an exciting update, so take a look at our guide to the Shrek 5 release date. Or read our feature on what Puss in Boots The Last Wish taught us about anxiety. And for more animation, we've got lists of the best animated movies, best animated series, and the best kids movies.