Shrek the Third (2007 animated film)

Main cast and characters

• Mike Myers as Shrek, the reluctant hero facing family and leadership questions.
• Cameron Diaz as Fiona, Shrek’s wife and equal partner in the story’s emotional core.
• Eddie Murphy as Donkey, comic sidekick and unabashed friend to Shrek.
• Antonio Banderas as Puss in Boots, the swashbuckling cat who adds charm and action.
• Julie Andrews and John Cleese as Fiona’s parents, whose roles broaden the fairy-tale world.
• Rupert Everett as Prince Charming, a returning antagonist.
• Eric Idle as Merlin, offering a comedic interpretation of a classic figure.
• Justin Timberlake as Arthur (Artie), the young heir Shrek seeks.
• Supporting cast and guest voices round out the fairy-tale ensemble and many small comic turns.

Plot and themes

The central plot follows Shrek after the death of King Harold: rather than assume the throne himself, Shrek must find the next legitimate ruler — Arthur — and bring him to the kingdom of Far Far Away. The story mixes a road-movie search with domestic questions about parenthood, identity and responsibility. As with the previous films, it deploys parody and modern cultural references to rework familiar fairy-tale tropes into contemporary comedic beats.

Production and release

Directed by Chris Miller and Raman Hui, the film was produced by DreamWorks Animation and completed using the studio’s established digital animation pipeline. The series’ musical and design team returned to create a look and score consistent with the earlier films while introducing some new visual jokes and action sequences. For production context and credits, see production notes.

Reception and legacy

Upon release the film was a significant commercial event and received mixed-to-positive reviews: critics praised the voice performances and humor but some noted it did not surpass the original installment. It nevertheless helped sustain the Shrek franchise and led to subsequent sequels and spin-offs. For contemporary reviews and box-office summaries, consult reviews and reception.

As the middle installment of a major animated series, Shrek the Third is often discussed in surveys of 2000s family cinema and of how mainstream animation balances satire, spectacle, and emotional storytelling.