After nearly two decades away from cinemas, one of animation’s most iconic franchises is finally back — but the internet isn’t exactly rolling out the red carpet.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Universal Pictures has released the latest teaser trailer for Shrek 5, confirming the long-awaited return of the green ogre and his chaotic crew, with the film set to hit cinemas in summer 2027. For many fans, it’s the comeback they’ve been waiting years for. But if the reaction online is anything to go by, excitement is being drowned out by one major complaint.
The animation.
Seventeen years since Shrek last appeared on screen, and after months of anticipation following early talks in 2024, fans finally got a proper look at the fifth instalment this week. Mike Myers returns as Shrek, alongside Eddie Murphy as Donkey and Cameron Diaz as Fiona, with Zendaya joining the cast as Shrek’s daughter Felicia.
And while the trailer gives viewers their first glimpse at a fresh adventure, many were immediately distracted by how different everything looks.
The new teaser — running just under 90 seconds — follows Shrek, Fiona, Donkey and their children as they leave behind familiar territory and head into unfamiliar city surroundings before eventually ending up behind bars.
Classic chaos.
But it’s not the plot that’s dominating the conversation.
Instead, fans have zeroed in on the franchise’s updated visual style, with many arguing the new polished aesthetic strips away what made the originals so memorable.
“We want the old Shrek back not this!” one Instagram user wrote under Universal’s official trailer post.
That sentiment has been echoed heavily across social media, with longtime fans criticising what they see as a slicker, more modern redesign of the beloved characters.
“Not discrediting the animators at all, but this is not the right style for Shrek at all,” another commented. “Looks pretty dull as well.”
Others were even harsher, with one person writing: “Years of waiting for this crappy animation that looks like AI?”
“Bring old animation back cause this isn’t it,” another added, with a third typing: “Why did they have to mess with the animation?! It’s what made Shrek so special and unique.”
Others have simply gone for the tagline: “This is not my Shrek.”
In fact the comments have become so hostile that Universal Pictures has actually disabled comments on the trailer post on YouTube.
The complaints aren’t entirely new either.
When the first teaser for Shrek 5 dropped back in February 2025, fans also slammed the updated designs, calling Shrek’s appearance “airbrushed” and “over-polished.”
And now, after this latest look, some are wondering why the studio didn’t make changes sooner.
“I thought they fixed it by now,” one fan commented.
“Do what they did with Sonic,” another added.
That comparison has become a recurring theme. Fans are pointing to Paramount’s infamous redesign of Sonic the Hedgehog after backlash over the original movie trailer, when director Jeff Fowler delayed the film to rework the character entirely.
Many are now hoping DreamWorks follows the same route.
But it’s not all negativity.
Plenty of fans are simply thrilled that Shrek is returning at all.
“2027 can’t come any faster,” one fan wrote, with another excited person typing: “Step aside kids this is for us adults.”
Others have also defended the updated look, arguing the backlash is overblown.
“I don’t think they’re as bad as people were initially making them out to be,” one TikTok user said.
“It’s really not that bad guys,” another fan added.
One supporter even praised the humour in the trailer, writing: “I love that everyone is only bothered by the actually good looking animation and hasn’t said a thing about the jokes being solid and funny.”
And there’s definitely still classic Shrek DNA in there.
The teaser includes a not-so-subtle swipe at Disney’s Frozen, featuring a shady snowman lurking in a dark alley asking strangers, “Wanna date a snowman?” — a clear parody of Elsa and Anna’s famous line.
Still, not everyone is convinced the story itself can carry the weight of the franchise’s return.
In fact, some people are certain they’ve already figured out what the plot is going to be:
And given that we don’t see Zendaya’s character in the trailer in certain family scenes, this is starting to look even more likely.
Whether fans love it or hate it, one thing is already clear — Shrek 5 has everyone talking.
And with another year still to go before release, DreamWorks has plenty of time to decide whether they double down on the new look… or head back to the swamp drawing board.
Featured image credit: YouTube/UniversalPictures (screenshots)
