DREAMWORKS ANIMATION AND UNIVERSAL PICTURES ANNOUNCE THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY THEATRICAL RE-RELEASE OF THE OSCAR®-NOMINATED ANIMATED COMEDY ADVENTURE "SHREK 2"

THE BELOVED 2004 ANIMATED CLASSIC RETURNS TO THEATERS NATIONWIDE BEGINNING APRIL 12, 2024

DOWNLOAD NEW ARTWORK HERE AND WATCH THE NEW TRAILER HERE

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., March 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation today announced the U.S. theatrical re-release of the Academy Award^®-nominated comedy, Shrek 2, in celebration of the film's 20^th anniversary. The animated classic, directed by Andrew Adamson, Kelly Asbury and Conrad Vernon, will return to theaters nationwide on April 12, 2024.

Upon its original release in May 2004, Shrek 2 shattered box office records, becoming the highest-grossing U.S. opening weekend for an animated film of all time. To date, the film has earned a staggering $928 million worldwide. Its release solidified the Shrek franchise as a cultural phenomenon and one of the most beloved film series in animation history. Now, two decades later, audiences will have the chance to revisit the adventures and experience the joy of Shrek, Donkey and Princess Fiona's adventures all over again.

Tickets for the re-release of Shrek 2 will be available for purchase starting March 8^th on Fandango and through theater ticketing sites nationwide. Additionally, audiences can catch the new re-release trailer in theaters beginning March 8^th.

"The Shrek franchise has become a cultural touchstone and has brought joy to audiences around the world for more than two decades," said Jim Orr, president of domestic theatrical distribution for Universal Pictures. "Its impact on popular culture has been profound, transcending generations, and it continues to resonate with viewers long after its initial release. So, as we celebrate the 20^th anniversary of Shrek 2, we're excited to bring this iconic film back to the big screen."

"The enduring popularity of Shrek 2 and the Shrek franchise is a testament to its universal appeal and timeless storytelling," said Margie Cohn, president of DreamWorks Animation. "We are thrilled to partner with Universal in celebrating this milestone anniversary by inviting audiences to rediscover their love for Shrek and the fantastical world of Far Far Away."

Following the unprecedented success of Shrek and Shrek 2, DreamWorks Animation continued to expand the Shrek universe with several sequels and spin-offs, including Shrek the Third (2007), Shrek Forever After (2010), Oscar^®-nominated Puss in Boots (2011) and Oscar^®-nominated Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022). Each installment further cemented the franchise's status as an enduring cultural phenomenon and catapulted it to become the second-highest-grossing animated franchise of all time.

In addition to its commercial triumphs, Shrek 2 garnered critical acclaim, earning Academy Award^® nominations for Best Animated Feature Film of the Year and Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song. 

Featuring the stellar voice cast of Mike Myers, Academy Award^® nominee Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Academy Award^® winner Julie Andrews, Academy Award^® nominee John Cleese, Academy Award^® nominee Antonio Banderas, Rupert Everett and Jennifer Saunders, among others, the re-release of Shrek 2 invites audiences to rediscover the magic of the Shrek universe on the big screen.

About the Shrek Franchise
For the past two decades, children of all ages have been enchanted by the delightful, irreverent adventures of a misunderstood ogre and his ragtag group of roguish fairytale folk. Beginning with Shrek, the 2001 Academy Award^® winner for Best Animated Feature, Shrek (Mike Myers), Fiona (Cameron Diaz), Donkey (Eddie Murphy), Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) and their signature friends, family and tormentors have grown into an indelible part of pop culture, reminding audiences around the globe that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The four Shrek franchise films have earned more than $2.9 billion worldwide, spawning a global live-touring show, an award-winning Broadway musical that earned eight Tony nominations and 12 Drama Desk nominations, plus an immersive, top-tourist destination in London and a popular events and attractions across Universal Studios Parks worldwide. From an astonishing consumer-products campaign to imaginative digital extensions and a global animation exhibition tour, the iconic age of Shrek will soon enter a new, exciting era as DreamWorks Animation reimagines this wonderous tale for a new generation.

About DreamWorks Animation
DreamWorks Animation (DWA), a division of the Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, within NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation, is a global family entertainment company with feature film and television brands. The company's deep portfolio of intellectual property is supported by a robust, worldwide consumer products practice, which includes licensing, and location-based entertainment venues around the world. DWA's feature film heritage includes many of the world's most beloved characters and franchises, including Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon, Spirit, Trolls, The Boss Baby, The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and 2023's Trolls Band Together, have amassed more than $16 billion in global box office receipts. DreamWorks Animation's television studio is one of the world's leading producers of high-quality, animated family programming, reaching consumers in more than 190 countries with a diverse array of award-winning original content through streaming and linear broadcasters.

About Universal Pictures
Universal Pictures is a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com). Universal Studios is part of NBCUniversal. NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group and world-renowned theme parks. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

SOURCE Universal Pictures