Shrek (2001)

89% of critics liked it
(176 reviews)
87% of users liked it
(1,275,418 ratings)

In this fully computer-animated fantasy from the creators of Antz, we follow the travails of Shrek (Mike Myers), a green ogre who enjoys a life of solitude. Living in a far away swamp, he is suddenly invaded by a hoard of fairy tale characters, such as the Big Bad Wolf, the Three Little Pigs, and… More In this fully computer-animated fantasy from the creators of Antz, we follow the travails of Shrek (Mike Myers), a green ogre who enjoys a life of solitude. Living in a far away swamp, he is suddenly invaded by a hoard of fairy tale characters, such as the Big Bad Wolf, the Three Little Pigs, and Three Blind Mice, all refugees of their homes who have been shunned by the evil Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow). They want to save their homes from ruin, and enlist the help of Shrek, who is in the same situation. Shrek decides to offer Lord Farquaad a deal; he will rescue the beautiful Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz), who is intended to be Farquaad's bride. Accompanying Shrek on his adventure is the faithful but loquacious Donkey (Eddie Murphy), who has a penchant for crooning pop songs. The two must face various obstacles in order to locate the Princess, but they find their world challenged when she reveals a dark secret that will affect the group. Shrek is based on the children's book by William Steig, and features additional voice-work by Vincent Cassel, Cody Cameron, and Kathleen Freeman. ~ Jason Clark, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 29 min.
Directed By: Andrew Adamson, Vicky Jenson
Genres: Animation, Kids & Family, Comedy

In Theaters: May 18, 2001 Wide
On DVD: Nov 2, 2001
Studio: Dreamworks

Critic Reviews

Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine
No one has ever made a funnier jackass of himself than Murphy.
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer
What gives Shrek its special artistic distinction is its witty and knowingly sassy dialogue, delivered by vocally charismatic performers whose voices remind us of their stellar screen personae in live-action movies.
Peter Rainer, New York Magazine
The script, instead of being what we tolerate in order to savor the visuals, is a delight all by itself.
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
This is beautiful work.
Susan Wloszczyna, USA Today
An exuberant Eddie Murphy gives the comic performance of his career.
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee
Isn't so much a fractured spoof of everything Disney, but actually a Monty Python flick for kids -- kids of all ages.
John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews
animation is hardly groundbreaking
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Gross-out laughs meet a marvelous fairytale mix.
Nick Rogers, Suite101.com
Though imperfect, "Shrek" offers enough diversions from animation's go-go-go that it's been sad - after lackluster third and fourth installments - to see the lovable green guy turn the way of impersonal franchise cash-grabbing.
Kelly Vance, East Bay Express
The only things it takes seriously are the notions of true love and beauty-is-only-skin-deep, good things for kids to soak up after they've had their fill of flatulence.
Felix Vasquez Jr., Cinema Crazed
Kids will love the plot, parents will love the jokes.
Daniel Etherington, Film4
Hugely entertaining, sassy and great-looking...
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Unique brand of entertainment: Simple and straightforward in its textal surface, but sophisticated and witty in subtextual connotations, including racy barbs addressed at Disney, which until recently had monopoly on animation fare, but not anynmore.
Jordan Hiller, Bangitout.com
Shrek is amusing and charming and it stands on it's own, but it does not rival Disney's best and I'm not saying it needs to, but that simply is the bar.
, Time Out
Gag by gag -- and there's a stream -- it's merrily irreverent, visually and vocally. The bigger picture, though, is rather more conventional.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
I seem to be the only one in the world unimpressed by this so-so animated feature.
John Venable, Supercala.com
Absolute perfection!
Chris Gore, Film Threat
Bottom line: the story satisfies and the jokes avoid juvenile cliches.
Scott Nash, Three Movie Buffs
What saves this movie are the performances by the actors, particularly Murphy and Myers.
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Truth be told, it's damn enjoyable.

Read all 22 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Brad W

Shrek is up there with the greatest animated films ever. It is an animated film that was everything a comedy and animated film should be, but I am serious, never before has a movie spoofed fairy tales and princess stories so well and it actually has a great deal of heart to it that… More
Shrek is up there with the greatest animated films ever. It is an animated film that was everything a comedy and animated film should be, but I am serious, never before has a movie spoofed fairy tales and princess stories so well and it actually has a great deal of heart to it that made it just so better as well. Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz were incredible in voicing their roles and their characters are some of the most memorable and fun characters in animated film history. Shrek is hard to top in animatio because of how well they struck gold when making this masterpiece, it isn't the greatest animated film ever, but I swear on the name of God its one of the best.
Alexander D

SHREK is not just a family movie. It's a hilarious, wholesome take on the fairy tales that all of us have been familiar with since the age of three (or possibly even younger). And such a wonderful re-imagination became so beloved by both kids and grown-ups alike that three… More
SHREK is not just a family movie. It's a hilarious, wholesome take on the fairy tales that all of us have been familiar with since the age of three (or possibly even younger). And such a wonderful re-imagination became so beloved by both kids and grown-ups alike that three sequels were spawned to create a more in-depth continuum of the ridiculously funny story this one tells.
Michael M

Shrek is a film that never disappointed me. This humourous take on fairytale's provides a great message to its audience and is by far the best out of a series that unfortunately will NEVER end.
Bethany M

A great animated film!
Jennifer X

I used to LOVE Shrek, back when I watched an average of like 2 movies a year. I guess my standards were lower or something because I cannot watch this anymore without gagging at the barrage of cultural references I'm met with. For nostalgia purposes, though, yeah, why not. 3.5… More
I used to LOVE Shrek, back when I watched an average of like 2 movies a year. I guess my standards were lower or something because I cannot watch this anymore without gagging at the barrage of cultural references I'm met with. For nostalgia purposes, though, yeah, why not. 3.5 stars.
Drake T

This movie defines Dreamworks as a company. Accessible animated comedy, gag after gag to keep you laughing and munching popcorn happily with a hint of heart-warming drama to top it all off. Sure, it never seems to reach the levels of masterful storytelling as Pixar but damn, do they… More
This movie defines Dreamworks as a company. Accessible animated comedy, gag after gag to keep you laughing and munching popcorn happily with a hint of heart-warming drama to top it all off. Sure, it never seems to reach the levels of masterful storytelling as Pixar but damn, do they know how to deliver cheap laughs and fun.
Dean M

It's a traditional fairytale fractured boosted by clever animation - the first DreamWorks Animation and Oscar for Best Animated Film. The charm comes from the funny characters who are brought beautifully to life by Mike Myers as grumpy orge Shrek, Eddie Murphy as wise-cracking… More
It's a traditional fairytale fractured boosted by clever animation - the first DreamWorks Animation and Oscar for Best Animated Film. The charm comes from the funny characters who are brought beautifully to life by Mike Myers as grumpy orge Shrek, Eddie Murphy as wise-cracking Donkey and Cameron Diaz as the wistful princess. The scene with evil Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow) and defiant Gingerbread Man is just one highlight. Shrek and Donkey are hilarious in their adventure altogether to rescue Princess Fiona.
Jameson W

Classic! One of the best non-Pixar Studio animated films, if not the best! I love it!
Unknown H

It is hard to say that I am not a fan of Shrek because I am, but I find no compulsion to watch it over and over as I do with movies that I am truly a fan of. As funny as it however many times you see it, the originality has been broken by so many remakes that progressivly dissolved… More
It is hard to say that I am not a fan of Shrek because I am, but I find no compulsion to watch it over and over as I do with movies that I am truly a fan of. As funny as it however many times you see it, the originality has been broken by so many remakes that progressivly dissolved the first. A good movie that my daughter will always love and that I do not mind watching but far from my favorite from Dreamworks.
Dead A

The starting was pretty gross which made me think twice whether to watch the rest of it. But the rest was neat. I was expecting this to be mind blowing as I watched the 4th part at first. I happened to liked that one. But was it because I watched that one on the theater made it looked… More
The starting was pretty gross which made me think twice whether to watch the rest of it. But the rest was neat. I was expecting this to be mind blowing as I watched the 4th part at first. I happened to liked that one. But was it because I watched that one on the theater made it looked so awesome? Because I didn't think this was awesome. It was good. But for some unknown reasons I didn't liked it that much. The story was unique. The dialogues were laughable. But something was missing. I did enjoyed the dragon and the donkey falling in love part. But yeah, maybe my hopes were way too high.
Michael E

i loved it when i first saw it but the more i watched it, the more i started to dislike it
Cassie H

Hillariously FUNNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy & Cameron Diaz are incredibly awesome in this brilliant movie from Dream Works :)
Carlos M

A fantastic satirical fable that cleverly subverts fairy tales, providing endless fun for kids and pure delight for adults with its astonishing visuals and acid humor. An extremely funny animation that is also enchanting and sweet.
Richard C

B
Bently L

Shrek may be a crude and irreverant animated film but has charm and wit. Every character in this film is so funny especially the Gingerbread Man. He cracks me up everytime he's on screen. The film also knows how to decipt the characters well. Shrek starts off as a mean and… More
Shrek may be a crude and irreverant animated film but has charm and wit. Every character in this film is so funny especially the Gingerbread Man. He cracks me up everytime he's on screen. The film also knows how to decipt the characters well. Shrek starts off as a mean and heartless ogre but gets funny along the way., Princess Fiona looks like a sweet princess but proves she can be fiesty and butt-kicking, and Donkey he makes you smile once he says his first line. The ending of Shrek is one of the best I've seen in a movie. Shrek and Fiona have a happy ending and Donkey sings a great cover of "I'm a Believer." I don't like the fact that some other crappy animation studios try to make a comedy about fairytales because they just turn out being a ninety minute pile of SUCK! Except for Pixar. Their movie, "Brave", is a fairytale film that is expected to come out in 2012. I'm excited for that. I can never go wrong with Pixar! When you get around Shrek, sit your butt down and watch it!
Kyle F

Still the best in the franchise after 10 long years, despite some mean competition. The characters, the story, and the willingness to take chances that is so often lacking in Pixar films are all present. The movie gets funnier with every rewatching,with just the slightest facial… More
Still the best in the franchise after 10 long years, despite some mean competition. The characters, the story, and the willingness to take chances that is so often lacking in Pixar films are all present. The movie gets funnier with every rewatching,with just the slightest facial expressions giving giggles, not that facial expressions are needed with such fantastic dialogue. Eddie Murphy is explosively fun, and Mike Myers offers splendid depth. Two of the best animated voice jobs of the century.
Daniel P

A family-friendly classic. Shrek is heart-warming, fun, and the animation just jumps off the screen. I can't believe I nearly went 10 years without seeing it. Great jokes for kids and parents about all the other fairy tales, and yet, it is a fairly tale... but, on top of the… More
A family-friendly classic. Shrek is heart-warming, fun, and the animation just jumps off the screen. I can't believe I nearly went 10 years without seeing it. Great jokes for kids and parents about all the other fairy tales, and yet, it is a fairly tale... but, on top of the classic quest story, you've got Eddie Murphy riffing the whole way through. It was great to see many of his legendary standup themes recycled into the film. Beautiful film, exciting and unconventional and with a good moral. One that everyone should see. (Duh!)
Jeremy S

The Ultimate anti-fairytale.
KJ P

Shrek is amazing and couldn't have been doen any better than this!
Tony G

A lesson on how to produce an adult animated movie for children.