Eddie Murphy's wisecracking Donkey character from the Shrek franchise is getting his own standalone animated feature, set to open in theatres on June 30, 2028. The film, described as an origin story exploring how a donkey became Donkey, will arrive one year after the release of Shrek 5 on June 30, 2027.
Donkey's Origin Story Confirmed
According to Deadline, the spinoff will be an origin story. Murphy first teased the project last summer in an interview with ScreenRant, stating, "Donkey's going to have his own movie, own little story with his dragon wife and his kids that are half-dragon and half-donkeys … They've written this funny story."
Murphy has voiced Donkey since the character's introduction in the original Shrek in 2001. He reprised the role in three sequels: Shrek 2 (2004), Shrek the Third (2007), and Shrek Forever After (2010). The Shrek film series has grossed over $2.9 billion globally at the box office.
Donkey vs. Puss in Boots
Donkey previously appeared in the 2022 spinoff Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, which featured Antonio Banderas as the titular character. Following that film's success, Murphy advocated for a Donkey-focused project. In a 2023 interview with ETalk, he said, "I was like, 'They should have done a Donkey movie.' Donkey is funnier than Puss in Boots. I mean, I love Puss in Boots, but he ain't funny as the Donkey."
Murphy elaborated on his upcoming projects in a 2025 interview with Postmedia, saying, "We've got Shrek 5, there's a Donkey cartoon we're doing with just the Donkey character. I'm getting ready to do a film about George Clinton and Funkadelic, it's the George Clinton story and I'm also the new Inspector Clouseau in The Pink Panther. I'm going to be in a new Pink Panther. These good things keep presenting themselves and keeping me out there."
Shrek 5 Cast and Plot
Shrek 5, scheduled for release on June 30, 2027, will feature the vocal talents of Murphy, Mike Myers as Shrek, and Cameron Diaz as Fiona. The story follows Shrek's family—now including two sons and a daughter—on "another whirlwind big-city adventure." New cast members include Zendaya, Saturday Night Live alum Marcello Hernandez, and Skyler Gisondo (Superman, Focker-in-Law) as Shrek and Fiona's children: Felicia, Fergus, and Farkle.
The Donkey spinoff marks the second character-focused film from the Shrek universe, following the Puss in Boots series. Murphy's return as Donkey ensures continuity for the beloved character, who has been a fan favorite since the franchise's debut.
