What is the best order to watch the Shrek movies?

If you have clicked on this post then chance are you are looking for information on the viewing order for the Shrek movies – and that’s great, because you have come to the right place! In this post I am providing a rundown of the Shrek film series to offer up a list of what you need to watch.

Now in order to provide the best order for the Shrek films, I need to look at all of the components that make up the series. While Shrek is largely viewed as a series of films, there are also various shorts, specials and TV shows that are part of the Shrek world.

So, if you want to get the full Shrek experience then it is best to know what is available. Let’s start with the movies…

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The Shrek films

In 2001, DreamWorks Animation produced the first Shrek movie. Loosely based on a character created by author William Steig, the film was a huge hit with both critics and audiences and led to the sequels Shrek 2 (2004), Shrek The Third (2007) and Shrek Forever After (2010).

After four films, DreamWorks concluded Shrek’s story, however, the series was not quite over. In 2011 the studio released a Shrek prequel based around the character of Puss in Boots, with another entry following in 2022.

These are the films in the Shrek movie series:

• Shrek (2001)
• Shrek 2 (2004)
• Shrek The Third (2007)
• Shrek Forever After (2010)
• Puss in Boots (2011)
• Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)

In terms of the in-universe chronology, the timeline of the films is as follows:

• Puss in Boots (2011)
• Shrek (2001)
• Shrek 2 (2004)
• Shrek The Third (2007)
• Shrek Forever After (2010)
• Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)

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The Shrek shorts 

In addition to the movies, a collection of Shrek shorts were produced, either to accompany the home video releases of each film or to act as standalone tales. The shorts vary in length, with some running around five minutes.

The Shrek shorts include:

• Shrek in the Swamp Karaoke Dance Party (2001)
• Shrek 4-D (2003)
• Far, Far Away Idol (2004)
• Donkey’s Caroling Christmas-tacular (2010)
• Shrek’s Yule Log (2010)
• Thriller Night (2011)
• The Pig Who Cried Werewolf (2011)
• Puss in Boots: The Three Diablos (2012)

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The Shrek TV specials

While the Shrek film series was in production two TV specials were also produced. These specials sit within the movie timeline.

The Shrek specials are as follows:

• Shrek the Halls (2007)
• Scared Shrekless (2010)

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The TV shows

And finally, after the film series concluded, two TV shows were produced about Puss in Boots. The shows include:

• The Adventures of Puss in Boots (2015-2018)
• Puss in Book: Trapped in an Epic Tale (2017)

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Shrek timeline order

OK, so those are the individual components; now let’s put everything together to create a timeline that combines the TV output alongside the feature-length pictures and the shorts. This will give you the full Shrek viewing experience.

How to watch Shrek in order: 

• The Adventures of Puss in Boots (2015-2018)*
• Puss in Book: Trapped in an Epic Tale (2017)*
• Puss in Boots (2011)**
• Puss in Boots: The Three Diablos (2012)***
• Shrek (2001)**
• Shrek in the Swamp Karaoke Dance Party (2001)***
• Shrek 4-D (2003)***
• Shrek 2 (2004)**
• Far, Far Away Idol (2004)***
• Shrek The Third (2007)**
• Shrek the Halls (2007)****
• Shrek Forever After (2010)**
• Scared Shrekless (2010)****
• Donkey’s Caroling Christmas-tacular (2010)***
• Shrek’s Yule Log (2010)***
• Thriller Night (2011)***
• The Pig Who Cried Werewolf (2011)***
• Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)**

*TV series / **Film / ***Shorts / ****TV special 

If you watch all of this Shrek content, in this order, you will be able to go beyond the movies to watch everything in the world of Shrek.

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I hope this post has proved helpful for you. Should you wish to know the best order for more movies then please check out one of the recommended reads below.

Alternatively, feel free to take a look around this blog for more film and television content.

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