View source for Shrek the Third

{{Short description|2007 film by Chris Miller}}
{{pp|small=yes}}
{{About|the film|the video game based on the film|Shrek the Third (video game)}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = Shrek the Third
| image          = Shrek the Third (2007 animated feature film).jpg
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| director       = [[Chris Miller (animator)|Chris Miller]]
| producer       = Aron Warner
| story          = [[Andrew Adamson]]
| based_on       = {{Based on|''[[Shrek!]]''|[[William Steig]]}}
| screenplay     = {{Plainlist|
* [[Jeffrey Price and Peter S. Seaman|Jeffrey Price<br />Peter S. Seaman]]
* Chris Miller
* [[Aron Warner]]
}}
| starring       = {{Plainlist|<!--per single screen billing in end credits-->
* [[Mike Myers]]
* [[Eddie Murphy]]
* [[Cameron Diaz]]
* [[Antonio Banderas]]
* [[Julie Andrews]]
* [[John Cleese]]
* [[Rupert Everett]]
* [[Eric Idle]]
* [[Justin Timberlake]]
}}
| music          = [[Harry Gregson-Williams]]
| editing        = Michael Andrews
| studio         = {{Plainlist|
* [[DreamWorks Animation]]<ref name="Shrek3TN">{{Cite The Numbers |title=Shrek the Third (2007) |id=Shrek-the-Third |access-date=February 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107010004/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Shrek-the-Third |archive-date=November 7, 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref>
* [[Pacific Data Images|PDI/DreamWorks]]<ref name=afi>{{cite web|title=Shrek the Third|url=http://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/MovieDetails/64473|publisher=[[AFI Catalog of Feature Films]]|access-date=March 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903215413/http://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/MovieDetails/64473|archive-date=September 3, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}
| distributor    = {{Plainlist|
* [[Paramount Pictures]]<ref name=afi/>
* [[DreamWorks Animation]]<ref name=afi/>
}}
| released       = {{Film date|2007|5|6|[[Fox Theater, Westwood Village|Mann Village Theatre]]|2007|5|18|United States}}
| runtime        = 92 minutes<ref name="BOM">{{Cite Box Office Mojo |id=0413267 |title=Shrek the Third |access-date=February 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216023233/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0413267/ |archive-date=February 16, 2021 |url-status=live  }}</ref>
| country        = United States
| language       = English
| budget         = $160&nbsp;million<ref name="BOM"/>
| gross          = $813.4 million<ref name=BOM/>
}}

'''''Shrek the Third''''' (also known as '''''Shrek 3''''') is a 2007 American animated [[fantasy comedy film]] loosely based on the 1990 children's picture book ''[[Shrek!]]'' by [[William Steig]]. Directed by [[Chris Miller (animator)|Chris Miller]] and co-directed by [[Raman Hui]] from a screenplay by [[Jeffrey Price and Peter S. Seaman|Jeffrey Price, Peter S. Seaman]], Miller, and producer [[Aron Warner]], and a story conceived by [[Andrew Adamson]], co-director of the previous two installments, it is the sequel to ''[[Shrek 2]]'' (2004) and the third installment in the [[Shrek (franchise)|''Shrek'' film series]]. The film features [[Mike Myers]], [[Eddie Murphy]], [[Cameron Diaz]], [[Antonio Banderas]], [[Rupert Everett]], [[Julie Andrews]], and [[John Cleese]] reprising their voice roles from the previous films, along with new additions [[Justin Timberlake]] as [[List of Shrek characters#Arthur Pendragon|Arthur Pendragon]] and [[Eric Idle]] as [[List of Shrek (franchise) characters#Introduced in Shrek the Third|Merlin]]. In the film, Prince Charming is plotting to overthrow Shrek and Fiona, who have inherited the throne following King Harold's death. Shrek has no interest in ruling the kingdom and attempts to convince Fiona's underachieving 16-year-old cousin Artie to reign instead.

''Shrek the Third'' premiered at the [[Mann Village Theatre, Westwood]] in Los Angeles on May 6, 2007,<ref name=Reuters>{{cite web|last1=Tourtellotte|first1=Bob|title=Shrek box office record downplayed|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-cannes-shrek-idUKL1711636420070518|publisher=Reuters|access-date=September 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915165217/http://uk.reuters.com/article/2007/05/18/uk-cannes-shrek-idUKL1711636420070518|archive-date=September 15, 2015|date=May 18, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> and was theatrically released in the United States by [[Paramount Pictures]] on May 18, 2007. Despite mixed reviews, the film was a commercial success, grossing $813 million worldwide on a budget of $160 million, becoming the [[2007 in film#Highest-grossing films|fourth-highest-grossing film of 2007]]. It was nominated for the [[BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film|Best Animated Film]] at the [[61st British Academy Film Awards]]. The sequel, ''[[Shrek Forever After]]'', was released on May 21, 2010.

==Plot==
[[Shrek (character)|Shrek]] and [[Princess Fiona]] are to succeed King Harold, but Shrek's attempts to serve as the Regent during Harold's medical absence end in disaster, since he has no interest in being king of Far Far Away. With his dying breath, Harold tells Shrek of another heir: his nephew and Fiona's cousin, [[Arthur Pendragon (Shrek)|Arthur "Artie" Pendragon]]. Meanwhile, [[Prince Charming (Shrek)|Prince Charming]], vowing to avenge the death of his mother, the [[Fairy Godmother (Shrek)|Fairy Godmother]], and become king, goes to the Poison Apple tavern and persuades the fairy tale villains to fight for their "happily ever after", and help him take over Far Far Away.

Shrek and his friends, [[Donkey (Shrek)|Donkey]], and [[Puss in Boots (Shrek)|Puss in Boots]] set out to retrieve Artie. As they sail away, Fiona reveals to Shrek that she is pregnant, much to Shrek's horror, because he believes he is incapable of raising children. The trio journey to Worcestershire Academy, an elite magical boarding school, where they discover Artie is a scrawny, 16-year-old outcast. At the school pep rally, Shrek tells Artie he has been chosen to be king of Far Far Away. Artie is excited until Donkey and Puss inadvertently frighten him by discussing the king's responsibilities. Losing confidence, Artie tries to take control of the ship and steer it back to Worcestershire. Following a scuffle with Shrek, the ship crashes on a remote island where they encounter Artie's retired magic teacher, [[Merlin (Shrek)|Merlin]], who convinces the two to open up to each other.

Fiona and Queen Lillian host a baby shower when Charming and the villains attack the castle. Gingy, Pinocchio, the Big Bad Wolf, and the Three Little Pigs stall Charming's group long enough for the ladies to escape. When one of the pigs accidentally reveals that Shrek has gone to retrieve Artie, Charming sends Captain Hook and his pirates to track them down. Rapunzel, having fallen in love with Charming, betrays Fiona, and the ladies are locked in the castle dungeons.

[[Captain Hook]] and his pirates catch up to Shrek on Merlin's island. Shrek avoids capture, and Hook reveals Charming's takeover of Far Far Away. Shrek urges Artie to return to Worcestershire, but Artie cons Merlin into using his magic to send them to Far Far Away, and while the spell works, it accidentally causes Puss and Donkey to switch bodies. They find Pinocchio and learn that Charming plans to kill Shrek as part of a play. After breaking into the castle, they are caught and taken captive.

Charming prepares to kill Artie to retain the crown. To save Artie's life, Shrek lies, claiming that he was just using Artie to replace him as the next king. Charming believes Shrek and allows a disheartened Artie to leave. Donkey and Puss are imprisoned with Fiona, Lillian and the other princesses, where Fiona grows frustrated with their lack of initiative. Lillian smashes an opening in the stone wall of the prison with a headbutt. While the princesses launch a rescue mission for Shrek, Donkey and Puss free Gingy, Pinocchio, and the others along with [[Dragon (Shrek)|Dragon]] and Donkey's children. Puss and Donkey convince a leaving Artie that Shrek lied to save his life.

Charming stages a showdown in a musical theater in front of the kingdom. Just as Charming is about to kill Shrek, Fiona, Puss, and Donkey, the princesses and other fairy tale characters confront the villains but are quickly subdued. Artie shows up and gives a speech to the villains, convincing them that they can be accepted into society instead of being outcasts. Inspired by Artie's speech, the villains agree to give up their evil ways, while Charming refuses to listen and lunges at Artie with his sword. Shrek blocks the blow, and it appears that he has been stabbed. Charming decrees himself the new king, but Shrek reveals that the former misaimed his sword and pushes Charming aside, while Dragon knocks the stage tower down onto Charming, killing him instantly.

With Charming gone, Artie is crowned the new king of Far Far Away. While the kingdom celebrates, Merlin appears and reverts Puss and Donkey's body swap. Later, back at the swamp, Shrek and Fiona begin raising their new triplets, coping with parenthood with help from Donkey, Puss, Lillian, and Dragon.

==Voice cast==
{{multiple image|perrow = 2
| direction = horizontal
| width1    = 125
| width2    = 125
| width3    = 125
| width4    = 125
| image1    = MikeMyersJune07.jpg
| alt1      = Mike Myers
| image2    = CameronDiazJune07crop.jpg
| alt2      = Cameron Diaz
| image3    = AntonioBandaresJune07 (crop).jpg
| alt3      = Antonio Banderas
| image4    = JustinTimberlakeJune07 crop.jpg
| alt4      = Justin Timberlake
| footer    = [[Mike Myers]], [[Cameron Diaz]], [[Antonio Banderas]] and [[Justin Timberlake]] at the film's British premiere in London.
}}
{{See also|List of Shrek (franchise) characters}}
{{castlist|
* [[Mike Myers]] as [[Shrek (character)|Shrek]]
* [[Eddie Murphy]] as [[Donkey (Shrek)|Donkey]]
* [[Cameron Diaz]] as [[Princess Fiona]]
* [[Antonio Banderas]] as [[Puss in Boots (Shrek)|Puss in Boots]]
* [[Julie Andrews]] as [[Queen Lillian (Shrek)|Queen Lillian]]
* [[John Cleese]] as [[King Harold (Shrek)|King Harold]]
* [[Rupert Everett]] as [[Prince Charming (Shrek)|Prince Charming]]
* [[Eric Idle]] as [[Merlin (Shrek)|Merlin]]
* [[Justin Timberlake]] as Arthur "Artie" Pendragon
* [[Conrad Vernon]] as [[Gingerbread Man (Shrek)|Gingerbread Man]], [[Rumpelstiltskin (Shrek)|Rumpelstiltskin]], [[Headless Horseman (Legend of Sleepy Hollow)|Headless Horseman]]
* [[Cody Cameron]] as [[Pinocchio (Shrek)|Pinocchio]], the [[The Three Little Pigs (Shrek)|Three Pigs]], Fergus
* [[Larry King]] as Doris the Ugly Stepsister
* [[Christopher Knights]] as [[Three Blind Mice (Shrek)|The Three Blind Mice]]
* [[Amy Poehler]] as [[Snow White (Shrek)|Snow White]]
* [[Maya Rudolph]] as [[Rapunzel (Shrek)|Rapunzel]]
* [[Amy Sedaris]] as [[Cinderella (Shrek)|Cinderella]]
* [[Aron Warner]] as [[The Big Bad Wolf (Shrek)|Wolf]]
* [[Cheri Oteri]] as [[Sleeping Beauty (Shrek)|Sleeping Beauty]]
* [[Ian McShane]] as [[Captain Hook]]
* [[Susanne Blakeslee]] as Evil Queen
* [[Regis Philbin]] as Mabel the Ugly Stepsister
* [[Mark Valley]] as Cyclops
* [[Chris Miller (animator)|Chris Miller]] as the [[mangiafuoco|Puppet Master]]
* [[John Krasinski]] as [[Lancelot]]
* [[Seth Rogen]] as Ship Captain
* [[Tom Kane]] as Guard No. 1
* [[Kari Wahlgren]] as Old Lady
}}

{{Clear}}

== Production ==
Following the success of ''[[Shrek 2]]'', the third and fourth ''[[Shrek (franchise)|Shrek]]'' films, along with plans for a final, fifth film, were announced in May 2004 by [[DreamWorks Animation]] CEO [[Jeffrey Katzenberg]]: "''Shrek 3'' and ''4'' are going to reveal other unanswered questions and, finally, in the last chapter, we will understand how Shrek came to be in that swamp, when we meet him in the [[Shrek|first movie]]".<ref>{{cite news|last=Davies|first=Hugh|title=Money talks for cast of Shrek 2|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/1462103/Money-talks-for-cast-of-Shrek-2.html|access-date=April 15, 2012|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=May 17, 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527152753/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/1462103/Money-talks-for-cast-of-Shrek-2.html|archive-date=May 27, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

DreamWorks hired screenwriters [[Jeffrey Price and Peter S. Seaman]] (of ''[[Who Framed Roger Rabbit]]'', ''[[Doc Hollywood]]'' and ''[[How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000 film)|How the Grinch Stole Christmas]]'' fame) to write the screenplay of the film and Jon Zack, who wrote ''[[The Perfect Score]]'', came on board as a consultant.<ref>{{cite web|last=Linder|first=Brian|url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/520/520567p1.html|title=Shrek 3 Goes on Green|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=June 2, 2004|access-date=April 15, 2012|archive-date=June 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210618133858/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/06/03/shrek-3-goes-on-green|url-status=live}}</ref> Unlike the first two films, the film was not directed by [[Andrew Adamson]] due to his occupation with ''[[The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Otto|first=Jeff|url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/552/552008p1.html|title=Adamson Not Directing Shrek 3|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=September 28, 2004|access-date=April 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070904025147/http://movies.ign.com/articles/552/552008p1.html|archive-date=September 4, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> Adamson was still involved as an executive producer, and was giving advice approximately every four months on the state of the film.<ref name=AVDirectorsMillerHui /> ''Shrek the Third'' was instead directed by [[Chris Miller (animator)|Chris Miller]], a story artist on the first film and a head of story on the second, and co-directed by [[Raman Hui]], a supervising animator on the first two films, with Miller and producer [[Aron Warner]] also writing the script with Price and Seaman.<ref name=AVDirectorsMillerHui />

The film was developed under the [[working title]] of ''Shrek 3''. By March 2006, the title of the film was changed to ''Shrek the Third''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Shrek 3 becomes Shrek the Third|url=http://animatedviews.com/2006/shrek-3-becomes-shrek-the-third/|publisher=animatedviews.com|access-date=May 27, 2015|date=March 21, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527144031/http://animatedviews.com/2006/shrek-3-becomes-shrek-the-third/|archive-date=May 27, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> According to Miller, the reason behind the title change was because they "didn't want to just sort of title it like it was just a [[sequel]]," instead they wanted "something to make it stand on its own, give it its own personality and really try to treat it as a chapter in Shrek's life." Hui also remarked: "It's about Shrek becoming the new king of Far Far Away; the title sounds kind of royal as well."<ref name=AVDirectorsMillerHui>{{cite web|last1=Armstrong|first1=Josh|title=Directors Miller and Hui on Shrek the Third|url=http://animatedviews.com/2007/miller-hui-on-shrek-3/|publisher=Animated Views|access-date=September 27, 2015|date=May 21, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730204734/http://animatedviews.com/2007/miller-hui-on-shrek-3/|archive-date=July 30, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

The film was originally going to be released in November 2006; however, in December 2004, the date was changed to May 2007; "The sheer magnitude of the ''Shrek'' franchise has led us to conclude that a May release date, with a DVD release around the holiday season, will enable us to best maximize performance and increase profitability, thereby generating enhanced asset value and better returns for our shareholders." Katzenberg explained.<ref name=IGNShrek3Shifted>{{cite web|last=Linder|first=Brian|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/12/09/shrek-3-shifted|title=Shrek 3 Shifted|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=December 9, 2004|access-date=April 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919121413/http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/12/09/shrek-3-shifted|archive-date=September 19, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Flushed Away]]'', another film from DreamWorks Animation, was instead given the slot of November 2006.<ref name=IGNShrek3Shifted /> The release date change was also the day after [[Walt Disney Pictures|Disney]]/[[Pixar]] changed the release date of ''[[Cars (film)|Cars]]'', from November 4, 2005 to June 9, 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4078711.stm|title=Pixar-Disney delay Cars release|publisher=bbc.co.uk|date=December 8, 2004|access-date=May 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061218194411/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4078711.stm|archive-date=December 18, 2006|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=IGNShrek3Shifted />

== Reception ==
=== Box office ===
''Shrek the Third'' opened in 4,122 North American cinemas on May 18, 2007, grossing $38 million on its first day, which was the biggest opening day for an animated film at the time. It grossed a total of $121.6 million in its first weekend, the best opening weekend ever for an animated film, and the second-highest opening for a film in the United States in 2007, behind ''[[Spider-Man 3]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/id/18738219|title='Shrek the Third' Shatters U.S. Box Office Records|website=[[CNBC]] |date=May 20, 2007 }}</ref> It held the animated opening weekend record for nine years until it was surpassed by ''[[Finding Dory]]''{{'}}s $135.1 million debut in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://bigstory.ap.org/article/19bdc11b57a444f5aa7c996ee9a77fa9/finding-dory-breaks-record-opening-animated-film |title = "Finding Dory" breaks record for opening of animated film |agency = [[Associated Press]] |date = June 20, 2016 |access-date = July 11, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160621141505/http://www.bigstory.ap.org/article/19bdc11b57a444f5aa7c996ee9a77fa9/finding-dory-breaks-record-opening-animated-film |archive-date = June 21, 2016 |url-status = live |df = mdy-all }}</ref> At the time, its opening weekend was the third-highest of all time in these regions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2315&p=.htm|title='Shrek' Reclaims Crown with Third Movie|publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=October 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006074503/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2315&p=.htm|archive-date=October 6, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Shrek the Third'' grossed $322.7 million in the United States, and $490.7 million overseas, bringing its cumulative total to $813.4 million.<ref name=BOM/> The film was the fourth-highest-grossing film worldwide of 2007, and the second-highest-grossing film in the United States that year. In addition, it was the highest-grossing animated film of 2007, and the third-highest-grossing animated film ever, trailing only behind ''[[Finding Nemo]]'' and ''[[Shrek 2]]''.<ref>{{cite news|title=The Third 'Shrek' Helps Quadruple Profit at DreamWorks|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/31/business/media/31dream.html|access-date=November 14, 2015|work=The New York Times|agency=The Associated Press|date=October 31, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150605114517/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/31/business/media/31dream.html|archive-date=June 5, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The film sold an estimated 46,907,000 tickets in North America.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=July 13, 2016|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=shrek3.htm&adjust_yr=1&p=.htm|title=Shrek the Third (2007)|publisher=Box Office Mojo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817063650/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=shrek3.htm&adjust_yr=1&p=.htm|archive-date=August 17, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

The film was released in the United Kingdom on June 29, 2007, and topped the country's box office for the next two weekends, before being dethroned by ''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mtv.co.uk/news/jhe4fj/shrek-the-third-premiere|title=shrek the third premiere|access-date=December 19, 2016|date=June 12, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220181120/http://www.mtv.co.uk/shrek/news/shrek-the-third-premiere|archive-date=December 20, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Critical response ===
''Shrek the Third'' received mixed reviews.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 11, 2007 |title=Critics lukewarm on third Shrek |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6646499.stm |access-date=June 24, 2024 |work=[[BBC Online]] |quote=The third instalment of the successful Shrek movie series has received mixed reviews from critics in the US.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=May 20, 2007 |title=''Shrek the Third'' breaks records in first weekend |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/ishrek-the-thirdi-breaks-records-in-first-weekend/K5B3IG5SCSGI5FRWZKZVDX2LWI/ |access-date=June 24, 2024 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |quote=Critics gave mixed reviews to Shrek the Third}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Baertlein |first=Lisa |date=August 9, 2007 |title='Shrek the Third' breaks records in first weekend |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN20377407/ |access-date=June 24, 2024 |work=[[Reuters]] |quote=people of all ages flocked to "Shrek the Third" despite mixed reviews}}</ref> On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], ''Shrek the Third'' has an approval rating of {{RT data|score}} based on {{RT data|count}} reviews, with an average rating of {{RT data|average}}, making it the lowest-rated film in the ''Shrek'' franchise by the website to date. The site's critical consensus reads, "''Shrek the Third'' has pop culture potshots galore, but at the expense of the heart, charm, and wit that made the first two ''Shreks'' classics."<ref name="RTShrek3">{{Cite Rotten Tomatoes |id={{RT data|rtid|noprefix=y}} |type=m |title=Shrek the Third |access-date={{RT data|access date}} |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830135708/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/shrek_the_third |archive-date=August 30, 2017 |url-status=live  }}{{RT data|edit}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film has a weighted average score of 58 out of 100, based on 35 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".<ref>{{Cite Metacritic|id=shrek-the-third|type=movie|title=Shrek the Third|access-date=February 16, 2021}}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale, a step down from the first two films' "A".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2315&p=.htm|title='Shrek' Reclaims Crown with Third Movie – Box Office Mojo|website=www.boxofficemojo.com|access-date=January 21, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100924103626/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2315&p=.htm|archive-date=September 24, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref>

Some critics were confused as to the film's target demographic. Carina Chocano of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' felt themes about career and parenting anxieties, the lifestyle of celebrities, as well as its humor, would be above children: "Does a kids' movie really need, among other similar touches, a Hooters joke? I, for one, wouldn't want to have to explain it." Nonetheless, she also found certain moments to be funny: "Shrek's anxiety dream about procreating is fabulously surreal, and King Harold's deathbed scene, with its grimaces and false alarms, is pure kiddie comedy at its best."<ref>{{cite web|last=Chocano|first=Carina|date=May 18, 2007|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906224747/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-may-18-et-shrek18-story.html|archivedate=September 6, 2021|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-may-18-et-shrek18-story.html|title='Shrek' too big for its britches|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|accessdate=September 6, 2021}}</ref> David Ansen of ''[[Newsweek]]'' wrote that the film's "slightly snarky wit is aimed almost entirely at parents... this one never touched my heart or got under my skin. It's a movie at war with itself: a kiddie movie that doesn't really want to be one."<ref>{{cite news |author=David Ansen |title=Oh, Grow Up Already |work=[[Newsweek]] |date=May 21, 2007 |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18628579/site/newsweek/page/2/ |access-date=May 21, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070514040627/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18628579/site/newsweek/page/2/ <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = May 14, 2007}}</ref>

Peter Bradshaw of ''[[The Guardian]]'' gave the film 2 out of 5 stars, saying the film "wasn't awful, but it's bland, with a barrel-scraping averageness. There are no new ideas, no very funny new characters..." He called the character Merlin a "frankly unfunny new character" and considered the character to be a "[[rip-off]] of [[Albus Dumbledore]] from the ''[[Harry Potter]]'' franchise". He stated that the film contained "no decent musical numbers, incidentally, and the one cover version is bizarrely chosen. For Harold's funeral, we get a rendering of ... [[Paul McCartney]]'s "[[Live and Let Die (song)|Live and Let Die]]". Er ... huh? Because it's kind of sad and it has "die" in the title?"<ref>{{cite web|last=Bradshaw|first=Peter|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/jun/29/family.animation|title=Shrek The Third|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=June 28, 2007|access-date=April 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204052844/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/jun/29/family.animation|archive-date=February 4, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

''[[The Times]]'' of London rated it 2 out of 5.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/article1917686.ece | location=London | work=The Times | title=Shrek the Third | first1=Burhan | last1=Wazir | first2=Leicester | last2=Square | date=June 12, 2007 | access-date=July 17, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615123944/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/article1917686.ece | archive-date=June 15, 2011 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}</ref>

[[A. O. Scott]] from ''[[The New York Times]]'' described the film as "at once more energetic and more relaxed [than its predecessors], less desperate to prove its cleverness and therefore to some extent, smarter."<ref>{{cite news | url=https://movies.nytimes.com/2007/05/18/movies/18shre.html | work=The New York Times | title=A Grumpy Green Giant Who Would Not Be King | first=A. O. | last=Scott | date=May 18, 2007 | access-date=February 12, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130526035116/http://movies.nytimes.com/2007/05/18/movies/18shre.html | archive-date=May 26, 2013 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}</ref>

===Awards and nominations===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''Awards'''
! '''Category'''
! '''Recipient'''
! '''Result'''
|-
| [[35th Annie Awards|Annie Awards]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://annieawards.org/35thwinners.html |title=Legacy: 35th Annual Annie Award Nominees and Winners (2007) |work=The Annie Awards |access-date=August 13, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411111537/http://annieawards.org/35thwinners.html |archive-date=April 11, 2008 }}</ref>
| Directing in an Animated Feature Production
| Chris Miller, Raman Hui
| rowspan=5 {{nom}}
|-
| [[61st British Academy Film Awards|BAFTA Awards]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.bafta.org/awards/film/nominations/?year=2007 | title=Film Nominations 2007 | work=British Academy of Film and Television Arts | access-date=August 13, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111118095253/http://www.bafta.org/awards/film/nominations/?year=2007 | archive-date=November 18, 2011 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}</ref>
|  Best Animated Film
| [[Chris Miller (animator)|Chris Miller]]
|-
| [[Golden Reel Award (Motion Picture Sound Editors)|Golden Reel Award]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.mpse.org/goldenreels/2008awards/2008featurenominees.html | title=2008 Golden Reel Award Nominees: Feature Films | work=Motion Picture Sound Editors | access-date=August 13, 2011 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080128173811/http://www.mpse.org/goldenreels/2008awards/2008featurenominees.html | archive-date=January 28, 2008 | df=mdy-all }}</ref>
| Best Sound Editing in Feature Film: Animated
|
|-
| rowspan="4" | [[2008 Kids' Choice Awards|Kids Choice Awards]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.nickkcapress.com/2008KCA/nominees.php | title=2008 Host & Nominees Release | work=Nickelodeon | access-date=August 13, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120427021724/http://www.nickkcapress.com/2008KCA/nominees.php | archive-date=April 27, 2012 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.nickkcapress.com/2008KCA/index.php | title=Nickelodeon's 2008 Kids' Choice Awards Ratings Release | work=Nickelodeon | access-date=August 13, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110817020335/http://www.nickkcapress.com/2008KCA/index.php | archive-date=August 17, 2011 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}</ref>
| Favorite Animated Movie
|
|-
| rowspan="3" | Favorite Voice From an Animated Movie
| Cameron Diaz
|-
| Eddie Murphy
| {{won}}
|-
| Mike Myers
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[34th People's Choice Awards|People's Choice Awards]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.peopleschoice.com/pca/awards/nominees/index.jsp?year=2008 | title=People's Choice Awards 2008 Nominees | work=People's Choice | access-date=August 13, 2011 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20120911231249/http://www.peopleschoice.com/pca/awards/nominees/index.jsp?year=2008 | archive-date=September 11, 2012 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}</ref>
| Favorite Family Movie
|
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[VES Awards]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.visualeffectssociety.com/ves-awards/previous/6th-annual | title=6th Annual VES Awards | work=Visual Effects Society | access-date=August 13, 2011 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614045533/http://www.visualeffectssociety.com/ves-awards/previous/6th-annual | archive-date=June 14, 2011 | df=mdy-all }}</ref>
| Outstanding Effects in an Animated Motion Picture
| Matt Baer, Greg Hart, Krzysztof Rost, Anthony Field
| rowspan=2 {{nom}}
|-
| Outstanding Performance by an Animated Character in an Animated Motion Picture
| John Cleese, Guillaume Aretos, Tim Cheung, Sean Mahoney
|}

==Soundtrack==
{{Main|List of songs featured in Shrek|Shrek the Third: Original Motion Picture Score}}

==Home media==
The film was released on both [[DVD]] and [[HD DVD]] on November 13, 2007.<ref name=IGNDVDHD>{{cite web|last1=McCutcheon|first1=David|title=Shrek's 3rd on DVD and HD|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/09/28/shreks-3rd-on-dvd-and-hd|publisher=IGN|access-date=March 12, 2015|date=September 28, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403124330/http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/09/28/shreks-3rd-on-dvd-and-hd|archive-date=April 3, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=BWBiggestComedy>{{cite press release|author1=Paramount Home Entertainment|title=The Year's Biggest Comedy Premieres on DVD and HD DVD Tuesday, November 13th|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20070927005367/en/Years-Biggest-Comedy-Premieres-DVD-HD-DVD|publisher=Business Wire|access-date=March 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150312133528/http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20070927005367/en/Years-Biggest-Comedy-Premieres-DVD-HD-DVD#.VQGWJcJVhBc|archive-date=March 12, 2015|url-status=live|date=September 27, 2007}}</ref> The DVD was released in separate [[pan and scan]] and [[widescreen]] formats.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Telsch|first1=Rafe|title=Shrek The Third on DVD November 13th|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/dvdnews/Shrek-The-Third-On-DVD-November-13th-5678.html|publisher=CinemaBlend.com|access-date=March 12, 2015|date=August 7, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402114401/http://www.cinemablend.com/dvdnews/Shrek-The-Third-On-DVD-November-13th-5678.html|archive-date=April 2, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The film and special features on the HD DVD version were presented in [[16:9|1.78:1]] widescreen high-definition [[1080p]] and feature a [[Dolby Digital Plus]] 5.1 audio soundtrack,<ref>{{cite web |last=Bracke |first=Peter |url=http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/1139/shrekthethird.html |title=Shrek the Third HD DVD Review |publisher=High-Def Digest |date=November 14, 2007 |access-date=June 18, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100910120740/http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/1139/shrekthethird.html |archive-date=September 10, 2010 |url-status=live  }}</ref> and special features for both formats include several deleted scenes, features, trailers, commentary, music videos,<ref name=IGNDVDHD /><ref name=BWBiggestComedy /> and exclusively on the HD DVD version, some web-enabled and [[HDi Interactive Format]] features such as a special trivia track, a film guide, and an interactive coloring book which can be downloaded as of street date.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/DreamWorks/Exclusive_HD_Content/New_Shrek_Specs_Promise_Several_HD_DVD_Firsts/1016 |title=New 'Shrek' Specs Promise Several HD DVD Firsts |publisher=High-Def Digest |date=September 28, 2007 |access-date=June 18, 2010 |archive-date=November 22, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081122153956/http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/DreamWorks/Exclusive_HD_Content/New_Shrek_Specs_Promise_Several_HD_DVD_Firsts/1016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Following Paramount's decision to discontinue HD DVD production (making ''Shrek the Third'' the only DreamWorks Animation film to be released on that format), the film was subsequently released on [[Blu-ray|Blu-ray Disc]] on September 16, 2008.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Bracke|first1=Peter|title='Shrek the Third' Headed to Blu-ray This September|url=http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Paramount/Disc_Announcements/Shrek_the_Third_Headed_to_Blu-ray_This_September/1783|publisher=High-Def Digest|access-date=March 12, 2015|date=May 30, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403014652/http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Paramount/Disc_Announcements/Shrek_the_Third_Headed_to_Blu-ray_This_September/1783|archive-date=April 3, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> It was re-released on Blu-ray as part of the ''Shrek'': The Whole Story boxset on December 7, 2010<ref>{{cite news |last1=Calonge |first1=Juan |title=Shrek Forever After and Collection Blu-ray in December |url=https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=5273 |access-date=September 4, 2020 |work=Blu-ray.com |date=October 8, 2010 |archive-date=February 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190219020040/https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=5273 |url-status=live }}</ref> before receiving another separate release on August 30, 2011,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Zyber|first1=Josh|title=Blu-ray Highlights for 8/30/11 – Look in Your Heart!|url=http://www.highdefdigest.com/blog/bluray-highlights-aug-30-2011/|publisher=High-Def Digest|access-date=March 12, 2015|date=August 30, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403010321/http://www.highdefdigest.com/blog/bluray-highlights-aug-30-2011/|archive-date=April 3, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> and on Blu-ray 3D on November 1, 2011 as a [[Best Buy]] exclusive.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hettrick|first=Scott|url=http://hollywoodinhidef.com/2010/03/samsung-brings-shrek-to-3d-blu-ray/|title=Samsung brings "Shrek" to 3D Blu-ray|publisher=Hollywood in HiDef|date=March 9, 2010|access-date=March 10, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100313141435/http://hollywoodinhidef.com/2010/03/samsung-brings-shrek-to-3d-blu-ray/|archive-date=March 13, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Shrek the Third'' was released on [[Ultra HD Blu-ray]] on September 12, 2023, by [[Universal Pictures Home Entertainment]].<ref>{{cite web |date=September 12, 2023 |title=Shrek the Third |url=https://www.amazon.com/Shrek-Third-Ultra-Blu-ray-Digital/dp/B0CC6B6HKB/ref=sr_1_5?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.KhWH8_iu_L_0QQpdBiz7_dOPdMOF4jyGMzoEKmBrbSZq9O6JsNktxJ4kN4YxCA2oKFBZ4FAEvQVsvtF-kq2rhiHk9qDGR-XyaJGjUH43FbLuVdYKphdB67dyasXB5VUB2K-YoXlNU3Oy_FLwECLWLYKhOnoy_8nH6yp6tpqVLWO4vUvpgQwvmI-0HVe1XflR4SE-v1qhOPFDZJ6jvZSwGRZ-r2lzugmP2yNbw2wmzZk.fEBlwO51SfKHkHgpHFM_cX-PSS1co767mmFjJ34uQHU&dib_tag=se&keywords=shrek+4k&qid=1715368692&sr=8-5&language=en_US |website=Amazon}}</ref>

DVD and Blu-ray sales gathered revenue of $179.1 million.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shrek the Third (2007) - Financial Information |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Shrek-the-Third |access-date=2023-01-29 |website=The Numbers}}</ref>

==Marketing==
{{Main|Shrek the Third (video game)}}
''Shrek the Third'' was widely anticipated and DreamWorks backed the film with a large marketing campaign, with toys, books, games, clothes, and many other items becoming available throughout 2007. [[Shrek the Third (video game)|A video game]] based on the film has been released for the [[Wii]], [[PlayStation 2]], [[Xbox 360]], [[Game Boy Advance]], [[PlayStation Portable]], [[Microsoft Windows|PC]], and [[Nintendo DS]].

In May 2007, ''Shrek the Third'' was made into a mobile [[video game]], developed by [[Gameloft]].<ref>[http://wireless.ign.com/articles/787/787829p1.html Shrek the Third Review] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081118061704/http://wireless.ign.com/articles/787/787829p1.html |date=November 18, 2008 }} IGN.com. Retrieved October 17, 2008.</ref> Shrek n' Roll, an action puzzle game based on the film, was released for the Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Arcade on November 14, 2007.
A pinball machine based on the film has also been produced by [[Stern Pinball]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Shrek|url=http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?gid=5301|work=The Internet Pinball Database|access-date=October 25, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207070808/http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?gid=5301|archive-date=December 7, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Satirical marketing effort===
[[Adult Swim]] comedy team [[Tim & Eric|Tim and Eric]], annoyed by the amount of advertisement they had witnessed in the months approaching the release of the film, decided to independently "promote"<ref>{{cite news |title=Tim and Eric Love Shrek gag |url=http://www.tvsquad.com/2007/05/19/tim-and-eric-love-shrek-video/ |publisher=Tvsquad.com |date=May 19, 2007 |access-date=June 14, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222203116/http://www.tvsquad.com/2007/05/19/tim-and-eric-love-shrek-video/ |archive-date=December 22, 2008 |url-status=live  }}</ref> ''Shrek the Third'' in a series of internet videos<ref>{{cite news |title=Shrek 3 is One Awesome Ogre |url=http://www.boingboing.net/2007/05/17/shrek-3-is-one-aweso.html |publisher=BoingBoing |date=May 17, 2007 |access-date=June 14, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420111003/http://www.boingboing.net/2007/05/17/shrek-3-is-one-aweso.html |archive-date=April 20, 2008 |url-status=live  }}</ref>
as well as appearances on television and radio to encourage people to see the film.{{citation needed|date=December 2021}}

==Controversy==
In the beginning of the film, in Prince Charming's dinner theater, coconuts are revealed to be the source of the sound effect for horses' hoof beats. This same joke was used in ''[[Monty Python and the Holy Grail]]'', which also starred [[John Cleese]] and [[Eric Idle]]. Idle walked out of the premiere (though later reentered after calming himself down) and claimed to be considering suing the producers of ''Shrek'' for the unauthorized use of this gag, while the producers claim they were honoring Idle and Cleese by putting the part in.<ref>{{cite news |title=Eric Idle considers suing Shrek makers over gag |url=https://www.thestar.com/article/216027 |publisher=Toronto Star |date=May 21, 2007 |access-date=May 28, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929211814/http://www.thestar.com/article/216027 |archive-date=September 29, 2007 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

==Sequels==
{{Main|Shrek Forever After|Shrek 5}}

The film was followed by a sequel, ''[[Shrek Forever After]]'', which was released in theaters on May 21, 2010,<ref>{{cite web|title=Shrek 4 Coming to Theaters in 2010|url=https://comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=17293|publisher=ComingSoon.net|access-date=May 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061125050334/http://comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=17293|archive-date=November 25, 2006|date=November 1, 2006}}</ref> and will be followed by ''[[Shrek 5]]'', which is in development and set for July 1, 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Shanfeld |first1=Zack Sharf,Ethan |last2=Sharf |first2=Zack |last3=Shanfeld |first3=Ethan |date=2024-07-09 |title='Shrek 5' Set for July 2026 With Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz Returning |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/shrek-5-release-date-cast-mike-myers-eddie-murphy-cameron-diaz-1235242895/ |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{refbegin}}
# {{note|1}} In July 2014, the film's distribution rights were purchased by [[DreamWorks Animation]] from [[Paramount Pictures]]<ref>{{cite news|last1=Chney|first1=Alexandra|title=DreamWorks Animation Q2 Earnings Fall Short of Estimates, SEC Investigation Revealed|url=https://variety.com/2014/biz/news/dreamworks-animation-q2-earnings-fall-short-of-estimates-1201271262/|access-date=July 30, 2014|work=Variety|date=July 29, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812201831/http://variety.com/2014/biz/news/dreamworks-animation-q2-earnings-fall-short-of-estimates-1201271262/|archive-date=August 12, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> and transferred to [[20th Century Fox]] before reverting to [[Universal Pictures|Universal Studios]] in 2018.
{{refend}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013222726/http://www.shrek.com/main.html|title=Official website|date=mdy}}
* {{Official website|https://www.dreamworks.com/movies/shrek-the-third}} at DreamWorks
* {{IMDb title|0413267}}

{{Shrek}}
{{DreamWorks animated films}}
{{Pinocchio}}
{{The Three Little Pigs}}
{{Peter Pan}}
{{Subject bar|portal1=Cartoon|portal2=Animation|portal3=Film|portal4=United States|commons=yes|q=yes|d=yes|d-search=Q486588}}
{{Authority control}}

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