For a movie about an ogre who just wants to be left alone, Shrek has done a remarkably poor job of scaring off visitors. Twenty-five years after Mike Myers' grumpy swamp dweller reluctantly teamed up with Eddie Murphy's chatterbox Donkey, fans are still quoting their bickering and belting out Smash Mouth's "All Star" like it's 2001. Somewhere, Shrek is probably rolling his eyes at all the fuss.
But returning to the original also reminds us why it endures: the quiet beats between the jokes. Donkey decides he's found a friend long before Shrek agrees, while Fiona slowly reveals how exhausting it is to play the perfect princess. The fairy-tale satire still lands, but it's these three characters who make the trip to Duloc worth taking.
Collider can exclusively debut "Origin of an Ogre," a new retrospective included in Shrek's 25th-anniversary release on November 3. The feature explores how Myers' casting brought the character to life. Arriving on 4K Ultra HD and a limited-edition Steelbook from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, this edition boasts a fresh remaster with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, plus 30 minutes of new bonus content diving into the animated classic's creation. Filmmakers revisit finding the voice behind an unlikely hero whose determination to keep everyone at arm's length gets harder with every mile he travels alongside Donkey.
What's in the 25th-Anniversary Edition?
Beyond "Origin of an Ogre," the release includes commentary from directors Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson and producer Aron Warner, along with deleted scenes that offer a peek into the story's evolution. There's plenty more: ten shorts like Shrek in the Swamp Karaoke Dance Party, Far Far Away Idol, Scared Shrekless, and Shrek the Halls, plus five episodes of The Adventures of Puss in Boots. Music videos for Smash Mouth's "I'm a Believer" and the Baha Men's "Best Years of Our Lives" round out the collection.
The original movie remains a fan favorite because its cast makes the relationships feel genuine, even amid jokes about exploding birds and Lord Farquaad's height. Cameron Diaz's Fiona gives Shrek as good as she gets, while Murphy turns Donkey's refusal to take a hint into something oddly endearing. Myers gives both performances something to push against, then lets Shrek soften enough for their persistence to matter.
If you're craving more animated nostalgia, you might also check out Brendan Fraser's The Mummy returning to Netflix for a different kind of throwback. And for those keeping an eye on upcoming releases, Fantastic Four: First Steps gets an ABC premiere date ahead of its big-screen debut.
Shrek's 25th-anniversary edition hits 4K Ultra HD and limited-edition Steelbook on November 3.
