This article is on the franchise. For other uses, See Shrek (disambiguation)
Shrek is a computer animated film franchise created by Dreamworks Animation. It is based on William Steig's picture book with the same name and primarily focuses on Shrek, a reclusive but kindhearted ogre, who becomes a respected hero with an ever growing collection of friends and family in a fairy tale world in spite of himself. It consists of four computer-animated films: Shrek (released in 2001), Shrek 2 (released in 2004), Shrek the Third (released in 2007), and Shrek Forever After (released in 2010). A short 3D film, Shrek 4-D, which originally was a theme park ride, was released in 2003. A spin-off project, the Christmas television special Shrek the Halls, premiered on ABC in the USA and worldwide in 2007 to successful ratings as well as another spin-off project, the Halloween television special Scared Shrekless, which premiered on NBC in the USA in 2010. A spin-off film titled Puss in Boots was released in October 2011. A Broadway musical adaption was also released. The series In May 2010, The New York Times called the principal Shrek characters "brilliantly realized" and said “nearly a decade after the first Shrek film they remain as vital and engaging fusions of image, personality and voice as any characters in the history of animation.” The series was a great financial success, being the 10th highest-grossing franchise of all time, and the highest-grossing animated franchise.