Shrek 2

Shrek, now settled into married life with Fiona, leaves his swamp with Donkey to meet Fiona's royal parents in Far Far Away. He expects formalities, but clashes with King Harold quickly turn awkward as royal manners collide with ogre bluntness. When the Fairy Godmother learns Fiona married Shrek instead of her son Prince Charming, she launches a scheme to overturn their union and place Charming on the throne. Magic, mistaken identities, and unlikely alliances follow, with Shrek wrestling with jealousy and self-doubt while Donkey and a new swashbuckling cat stir up chaos, laughter, and unexpected tests ahead, and the stakes grow personal as secrets resurface.

Released in 2004, Shrek 2 was directed by Andrew Adamson, Kelly Asbury, and Conrad Vernon, adapting characters from William Steig with a screenplay by Joe Stillman and J. David Stem, continuing DreamWorks Animation's fairy tale riff and a pop-savvy tone.

The sequel was a major commercial success, drawing family audiences worldwide, topping box offices in multiple markets and becoming one of DreamWorks Animation's most profitable releases, which secured the franchise's future and paved the way for additional sequels and merchandise.

Shrek 2 introduced Puss in Boots to the franchise, and that swashbuckling cat quickly became a fan favorite, inspiring toys, costumes, and a later spin-off film. Several scenes and comedic beats from this installment entered wider pop culture and family entertainment references, and its soundtrack and cameos boosted its visibility.

Critics generally praised Shrek 2 for its sharp humor, vocal performances by Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz, and richer worldbuilding. The film balances jokes for adults with family-friendly gags while touching on themes of acceptance, self-worth, and the awkward compromises of married life, and it still has fans.