“Looks Too Different,” Debate Erupts Over Shrek 5’s Visual Redesign

Shrek 5 marks the return of the beloved ogre with a fresh look and new surprises. The teaser features Shrek, Donkey, and Princess Fiona, along with their now-teenage daughter, Felicia, voiced by Zendaya. However, it’s the noticeable changes in the animation style that have sparked debate, with some embracing the modern update in details while others long for the classic design.

Shrek and Fiona’s glow-up (or glow-down?)

In the teaser, the familiar characters gather around a golden magic mirror, engaging in their signature playful banter. Yet, fans were quick to point out that Shrek and Fiona’s appearances seem markedly different from previous films.

“They ruined Shrek 😭” said one passionate Facebook user. Observations include changes to their nose shapes, longer philtrums, and larger eyes, resulting in fans urging the studio to just “cancel the whole thing at this point.”

The backlash has been swift and vocal. Universal Pictures even disabled comments on the teaser’s YouTube release.

Discussions have been fervent all over social media. One Reddit user remarked, “I don’t see it. They look like they’re in an Illumination movie (derogatory).”

Donkey’s new do.

If fans were upset about Shrek and Fiona, Donkey’s redesign only fuelled the fire. His iconic, slightly wonky charm has been replaced with a sleeker, more expressive face that some say lacks the personality of the original. “Shrek isn’t even the worst of it, poor donkey barely got any hair now,” one Facebook user commented.

On Reddit, one fan stated, “I’m fine with Shrek and Fiona, they look like a natural age progression of the characters. Can’t really get behind Donkey though, he’s too iconic to change and he looks too different. Can’t even put my finger on what it is, he just looks like a different Donkey.”

Why Shrek 5’s animation changed?

Shrek 5’s animation looks different because DreamWorks has upgraded to modern technology after a 14-year gap since Shrek Forever After. The biggest change comes from using MoonRay, a high-tech rendering engine that enhances lighting, textures, and character details.

This shift makes the animation smoother and more polished, aligning with DreamWorks’ newer films. Some fans really dislike the updated look, comparing it to AI-generated art and calling for a return to the classic style.

Despite the backlash, DreamWorks has time before the film’s Christmas 2026 release — so changes could still happen.

With Shrek 5 set for 2026 release, the updated animation remains a hot topic among fans. Whether embraced or criticized, the film’s modern style ensures that Shrek’s comeback won’t go unnoticed.