DreamWorks Animation has officially set a release date for Donkey, an origin story spinoff starring Eddie Murphy’s beloved Shrek sidekick. The film is slated for June 30, 2028.
The movie will serve as a prequel, tracing how a donkey became Donkey. Murphy returns to voice the role he has played since the original Shrek in 2001. Charlie Bean, who previously directed The Lego Batman Movie and the live-action Lady and the Tramp, will direct, with Matt Flynn co-directing. Flynn’s story artist credits at DreamWorks include The Wild Robot, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and The Bad Guys 2. Rebecca Huntley, producer of Kung Fu Panda 4 and The Bad Guys, produces.
Murphy had been hinting at the project for some time. During the press tour for Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley, he told ScreenRant that Donkey would get “his own little story with his dragon wife and his kids that are half-dragon and half-donkeys,” adding that “they’ve written this funny story.”
The film will be the eighth entry in the Shrek franchise, which has grossed more than $3.5 billion globally across six films and two Puss in Boots spinoffs, with that number expected to cross $4 billion when Shrek 5 arrives in summer 2027. The franchise also spawned a Broadway musical, a global live touring show and attractions across Universal Studios parks worldwide.
Donkey lands on June 30, 2028, a date it will share with Warner Bros.’ Dynamic Duo animated film and Paramount’s untitled Call of Duty tentpole.