Summary

  • DreamWorks needs the Shrek 5 to be a massive success to save face after recent box office disappointments like Ruby Gillman.
  • The success of previous Shrek films puts pressure on Shrek 5 to reach or exceed the $750 million benchmark set by its predecessors.
  • While DreamWorks has had success with sequels like The Croods and Boss Baby, the Shrek franchise far sures them in of popularity and financial success, making Shrek 5 the studio's saving grace.

The recent box office disappointment released by DreamWorks pressures the company's growing Shrek 5 plans to hit or exceed its $750 million benchmark set by the other Shrek films. The ogre-centered animation, counterbalanced by a motley group of whimsical fairytale characters, has a narrative appropriate for both children and adults and a cult obsession strong enough to carry the classic franchise into further lucrative success. However, right now, a surefire hit from DreamWorks is no longer guaranteed, as proven by Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken.

Details about Shrek 5 are sparse but have garnered anticipation after being teased in development announcements since 2016. In addition to the franchise wave DreamWorks is riding after Puss in Boots: The Last Wish's success, the seven-year wait alone will bring moviegoers and Shrek enthusiasts in droves to Shrek 5's premiere. It's not a case of whether Shrek 5 will do well once it's finally available to audiences, but the pressure on DreamWorks to save face after misses like Ruby Gillman makes it important for Shrek 5 to deliver an exceptional win.

Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken's Box Office Is Exactly Why DreamWorks Needs Shrek 5

Ruby in Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken

The road for DreamWorks has been extraordinarily rocky with a succession of films that have teetered in critical and profitable acclaim. It has been some time since DreamWorks has come across a massive original hit. Aside from certain sequels like The Boss Baby: A Family Business and The Croods: A New Age, DreamWorks made an effort with 2022's original The Bad Guys. According to Box Office Mojo, The Bad Guys grossed $250 million worldwide but was still a far cry from the massive success of the lowest-performing Shrek movie, the original Shrek, which grossed $491.8 million worldwide.

The studio's most recent animation attempt, Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken, turned out to be DreamWorks' worst opening to date. The dismaying performance of Ruby Gillman suggests the trend of DreamWorks' fluctuating animation catalog is sinking downward, especially when it comes to original movies. Ruby Gillman's lack of accomplishment and the need for DreamWorks to pick up a victory means Shrek 5 is exactly the film DreamWorks needs to take the pressure off the studio's recent history. Another Shrek guarantees a $750 million haul at the very least, as the average of the previous Shrek films adheres to that baseline, the last film even exceeding it.

DreamWorks' Next Movies Are Big Sequels, But Won't Match Shrek 5

Shrek and Fiona in Shrek the Third

Although original movies haven't rescued DreamWorks from its less-than-stellar success streak, the studio's recent sequels have made a valiant effort. Alongside The Croods and Boss Baby, DreamWorks' impressive Puss in Boots sequel made enough headway to prove why the animation studio should pursue the film follow-up route over the production of original movies, at least for now. The near future of DreamWorks is actually fulfilling that sentiment with heavyweight sequels like Trolls Band Together and Kung Fu Panda 4.

Trolls and Kung Fu Panda have inherent fan bases that will undoubtedly make for big releases, but neither franchise is on the level as Shrek and its following. Deadline reported that Trolls is an estimated $700 million film franchise, and CBS revealed that the Kung Fu Panda franchise has reached $1.8 billion. Despite the two ranking as important projects for DreamWorks, the Shrek franchise far sures Trolls and Kung Fu Panda at a whopping estimate of around $3.9 billion, according to a report from MovieWeb. This further shows beyond a doubt that Shrek is DreamWorks' saving grace.

Is Shrek 5 Actually Happening? What We Know

Donkey and Puss in Shrek the Third

With the knowledge of how critical Shrek and its hoards of adoring fans are to DreamWorks, it feels like another installment should be released as soon as possible. In fact, it verges on weird that Shrek 5 hasn't happened yet. The studio has teased production statuses on the film since 2016 and has even purported to have a finished script for the newest addition to the Shrek catalog. Even more to the point, Head of Illumination Chris Meledandri, a creative partner in DreamWorks Animation, confirmed Shrek 5's current development and has stressed his efforts to round up the voice actors of the original cast.

Still, a confirmed release date or the official start of production for Shrek 5 eludes the general population. What can be relied on is Shrek 5's confirmed development, the prospect of the reprisal of characters voiced by Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, and more, and a film that has the most potential to bring in the big bucks for DreamWorks. Shrek 5 had an original release date of 2020, and while that deadline is well past, maybe the extended period of time is being used in order to perfect the movie for an unprecedented release.

Source: Box Office Mojo, Deadline, CBS, MovieWeb