The arrival of Shrek in 2001 symbolized the pinnacle of animated storytelling until that point, as well as demonstrating the existence of animation studios other than Disney and Pixar. The film made it a point to satirize and subvert the classic fairy tales depicted in earlier Disney movies. Over the years, fans have reflected on Shrek not only as a meme but as a genuinely enjoyable film.

Shrek is an excellent movie by itself, but its sequel, Shrek 2, was arguably even better than the first installment in the franchise. While many animated sequels these days are just retreading the same ground covered by their predecessors, Shrek 2 is one of the few that managed to tell an entirely new story. Shrek 2 added great characters to the franchise, dealt with more expansive themes and lore, and generally improved upon Shrek in every way.

Updated on February 25, 2025, by Ajay Aravind: Shrek earned kudos from critics,...