After plenty of rumors and speculation, Shrek 5 has finally received a release date, and it will come out alongside Toy Story 5 and Frozen III in 2026. Having first been released back in 2001, the Shrek franchise became a huge deal in the animation world, but its last mainline film came in 2010, meaning everyone’s favorite ogre will have been away from the big screen for 16 years when he finally makes his return. Shrek 5‘s release date announcement, with the movie confirmed for July 1, 2026, is a huge relief. I’m super excited about the next installment, but it has some huge competition in 2026.

Toy Story 5‘s release date was also confirmed earlier this year and will drop just a few weeks before Shrek 5 releases (Pixar’s sequel comes out July 19, 2026), pitting these iconic animated franchises against one another. In addition, Frozen III will be released towards the end of 2026, making it an absolutely massive year for animated movies. While Frozen and Toy Story‘s last outings were big financial hits, Shrek‘s long absence leaves its performance a little more uncertain. However, Puss in Boots 2‘s incredible box office haul makes Shrek 5 look destined for success, and I can’t wait to see just how well these massive franchises perform.

2026 Can Break 2019’s Box Office Record As The Highest-Grossing Year For Animated Movies

2026’s Exciting Release Slate Means It Could Surpass 2019’s Record Breaking Box Office

2019’s animated box office haul totaled over $3 billion, but I’m optimistic that 2026 can surpass this and become the highest-grossing year ever for animated movies. With Toy Story 4 and Frozen 2 both coming out in 2019, their sequels instantly make 2026 competitive. While 2019 also provided the likes of How to Train Your Dragon 3, The LEGO Movie 2, and Pokémon Detective Pikachu, Shrek 5 offers 2026 a huge franchise to help grow the year’s box office total. These three franchises alone should make it a massive year, but other animated films could help.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2‘s latest update revealed that it is also set for a 2026 release date, adding another big sequel to the calendar. The first movie grossed over $1 billion, which means there could potentially be four animated hits that cross this threshold in 2026. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2, The Cat in the Hat, and the Avatar: The Last Airbender movie are also set to drop in the same year, adding some more big projects to this already stacked schedule.

All these exciting films mean 2026 is lining up to be one of the biggest years yet for animated movies. While having so many releases in one year could end up hurting some films’ box office, the theatrical longevity of these projects gives them strong box office potential as animated hits tend to have longer cycles in theaters, meaning they should still find financial success. This makes me full of belief that 2026 will break this incredible box office record, with Shrek 5‘s announcement only adding to my enthusiasm.

2026 Could Provide The Highest-Grossing Animated Movie Of All Time

There Are Several Movies That Could Overtake Frozen II’s Incredible Record

Although Frozen II is currently the highest-grossing animated movie of all time, 2026 provides a perfect opportunity for a new film to take the crown. Frozen 2‘s $1.45 billion triumph remains the benchmark, but if its sequel can continue the franchise’s trajectory, it will overtake its predecessor and make cinematic history. Each Toy Story film has also out-grossed the previous entry, making Toy Story 5 a potential threat. The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2 could also follow up the original’s $1.36 billion success and potentially surpass this milestone, meaning 2026 has plenty of candidates to break this record.

Shrek 5 remains an outside shot as none of the previous films have made more than $1 billion, but the franchise’s long-awaited return may give it more box office appeal than ever. Inside Out 2‘s impressive trajectory means it could potentially break this record before 2026, but this only proves how big animated films are at the moment, giving these massive upcoming films a chance at making history. With so many huge animated films coming out in 2026, I can’t wait to see how they perform, and I look forward to seeing if any can surpass this box office record.