Shrek the Third

After the ruler of Far Far Away dies, Shrek and Princess Fiona face the prospect of becoming king and queen. But Shrek, who cherishes his simple swamp life, is not thrilled about the crown or court life. When the search for a suitable heir begins, the couple decide to locate the next in line so the kingdom can continue to be ruled by someone who knows the land. Their quest takes them across kingdoms and into new challenges as they meet old friends and new foes. Through a mix of magic, mischief, and a growing sense of responsibility, Shrek weighs duty against the life he loves at home. Along the way they confront themes of identity and leadership costs too.

Released in 2007 and directed by Chris Miller, Shrek the Third builds on the Shrek universe created from William Steig's characters, with a screenplay by Peter S. Seaman, Jeffrey Price, and Roger S. H. Schulman, for fans worldwide and families.

Shrek the Third grossed 813,367,380 worldwide, a strong performance that helped recoup the 160,000,000 budget and kept the franchise moving toward more adventures.

Shrek the Third reinforced the franchise's playful parodies and warm heart approach, giving Puss in Boots a bigger spotlight that helped launch his own adventures later. It kept the trio of Shrek Fiona and Donkey central to pop culture chatter and family film discourse. Its humor echoes in later sequels.

Critics generally praised the film's humor and visual energy, while noting it doesn't reach the freshness of the first film. The story centers on duty versus personal happiness, leadership responsibilities, and the value of chosen family. The film also navigates the idea that leadership can require sacrifices and tough choices.