“Shrek” is a 2001 American computer-animated fantasy film that draws inspiration from William Steig’s 1990 fairy tale picture book of the same name. Directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson in their directorial debut, the movie features the voices of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, and John Lithgow. It cleverly parodies various children’s fantasy films, particularly those by Disney. The story follows Shrek, an ogre voiced by Myers, as he embarks on a quest to reclaim his swamp, which has been invaded by fairy tale creatures banished there by the villainous Lord Farquaad, voiced by Lithgow. Shrek strikes a deal with Farquaad to bring him a queen in exchange for his swamp’s deed.

Accompanied by the chatty Donkey, voiced by Murphy, Shrek comes across Princess Fiona, voiced by Diaz. As they journey to bring Fiona to Farquaad for marriage, Shrek begins to develop feelings for her. Along the way, he uncovers a surprising secret about the princess. “Shrek” was a major milestone for DreamWorks Animation, establishing the studio as a formidable competitor to Pixar in the realm of computer-animated feature films. The movie exceeded expectations by grossing $484.4 million worldwide against a $60 million production budget.

This film catered to a broad audience, featuring humor and themes that appealed to both adults and children. “Shrek” won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and received praise for its inventive storytelling. The success of the film led to the creation of sequels, as well as holiday specials and a spin-off. The franchise’s popularity extended to merchandise, video games, a stage musical, and a comic book adaptation. In recognition of its impact, the character of Shrek was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2010.