TheShrekfranchise, having begun in 2001, is over 20 years old now and, even after all this time, has remained relevant through the consistent quality of its stories as they continue to be made. The franchise consists of four movies that make up the originalShrekfilms (even a potential fifth one being discussed), what will be twoPuss in Bootsspin-off films, eight short films, and four television or short series.
The immense success of the franchise came as a surprise to many, considering that the original film was treated asDreamWork’s low-budget sort of time-out projectthat animators were assigned to when their work was unsuccessful. There’s no arguing that theShrek’steam of animators took the lemons that life gave them and made lemonade.
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Of course, the adoring response to the first film was just the beginning of the franchise’s glory. In most cases, fans are skeptical when a franchise releases storyline after storyline in the same world, but in the case ofShrek, it’s never a worry. For as many spin-offs and sequels as the franchise has created, they have all been quality storylines that were consistent with the world andbroadened the audience’s understanding of the characters. The firstPuss in Bootsfilm, which was released over 10 years ago in 2011, was received just as well as the mainShrekfilms, so much so that it’s about to get its own sequel.
Before the new film arrives in theaters in December, it would be beneficial for fans of the franchise, or those that are new to the films, to watch all the movies in order. Not only will it remind viewers of why they fell in love with the stories and characters, but it will also serve as a refresher to the world.The additional shows connectedto the franchise could also be an enjoyable re-watch, though their content may be less reflective of the universe than the movies.
The world of Shrek is easily worthy of a refresher watch considering how much it contrasts the story structures of other fairytale stories. Rather than display the traditional and arguably problematic themes of many traditional children’s fantasy stories, the films of theShrekfranchise flip such themes on their heads. They instead reflect positive messages like accepting those that are different, rejecting sexist stereotypes, and showing what real friendship looks like.It is the purpose of theShrekmoviesto create a fantastical world where even the misfits can be the heroes, details that emphasize this are woven into the world. One notable reason that it’s helpful for fans to re-watch all the films is to ground themselves in this perspective of fairy tales: viewing them, in a way, critically.
Beginning with the firstShrekfilm, viewers will find that it best sets up the world, and understandably so, since it’s the introduction to it. In the first film, we recognize the themes of otherness and how creatures and beings thatdon’t conform to the perfect, traditional fairytalestereotypes are subject to mistreatment. This is a vital driving force for the story and characters in every film of the franchise. The remaining three movies that make up the mainShrekfilms, while still possessing that familiar themes, bring something new to the world through characters and new storyline. What allows the sequels to be so successful is their ability to focus on new storylines in the world, keeping the content fresh. Aside from the obvious introduction of new characters in each film, each movie also reveals new details about familiar character’s traits and pasts.
Puss, in particular,evolves a lot from the timethat viewers meet him inShrek 2,even just by the end of the story. His character, based on the story that inspired him, easily fits in with the misfit group, but his abilities and suave personality make him an instant star among the already beloved characters. As a result, it was no surprise at all that when each additionalShrekfilm came out, Puss was a staple character. It was even less surprising when it was then announced that there would be aPuss in Bootsspin-off film released.
While thePuss in Bootsfilm lacked the main charactersfrom theShrekmovies, it introduced enough new characters that fulfilled the same dynamics. Beyond that, it gave viewers a better idea of who Puss really is and where he came from. In the firstShrekmovie, audiences were introduced to what Shrek, Donkey, Fiona, and the others’ lives were like before they all found each other. This is a fundamental detail in the found-family structure of the story because it ultimately points out how much better their lives are together.
Because viewers don’t really get this moment in the secondShrekfilm when we meet Puss,the spin-off movies about himsort of serve that purpose. Thanks to of the complexity and popularity of his character, his storyline could be stretched across multiple films. Watching the firstPuss in Bootsmovie is a reminder of how lovable his character is, as well as a reminder of what his shortcomings are and who the fundamental characters from his story arc are.
While there is plenty of motivation to re-watch the five films in order to better understand the world and characters inPuss in Boots: The Last Wish, there are no shortage of reasons to watch them again. Betweenthe 2000s nostalgia of adultsthat grew up with the films, the message of acceptance in a time with so much hate, or simply the limitless laughs they offer, theShrekmovies offer viewers a timeless escape from a world that just needs a little more magic.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wishis set to premiere in theaters on July 26, 2025.
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