The Shrek franchise, having begun in 2001, is over 20 years old now and, even after all this time, has remained relevant through the consistent quality of its stories as they continue to be made. The franchise consists of four movies that make up the original Shrek films (even a potential fifth one being discussed), what will be two Puss in Boots spin-off films, eight short films, and four television or short series.
The immense success of the franchise came as a surprise to many, considering that the original film was treated as DreamWork’s low-budget sort of time-out project that animators were assigned to when their work was unsuccessful. There’s no arguing that the Shrek’s team of animators took the lemons that life gave them and made lemonade.
Of course, the adoring response to the first film was just the beginning of the franchise’s glory. In most cases, fans are skeptical when a franchise releases storyline after storyline in the same world, but in the case of Shrek, it’s never a worry. For as many spin-offs and sequels as the franchise has created, they have all been quality storylines that were consistent with the world and broadened the audience’s understanding of the characters. The first Puss in Boots film, which was released over 10 years ago in 2011, was received just as well as the main Shrek films, so much so that it’s about to get its own sequel.
Before the new film arrives in theaters in December, it would be beneficial for fans of the franchise, or those that are new to the films, to watch all the movies in order. Not only will it remind viewers of why they fell in love with the stories and characters, but it will also serve as a refresher to the world. The additional shows connected to the franchise could also be an enjoyable re-watch, though their content may be less reflective of the universe than the movies.
The world of Shrek is easily worthy of a refresher watch considering how much it contrasts the story structures of other fairytale stories. Rather than display the traditional and arguably problematic themes of many traditional children’s fantasy stories, the films of the Shrek franchise flip such themes on their heads. They instead reflect positive messages like accepting those that are different, rejecting sexist stereotypes, and showing what real friendship looks like. It is the purpose of the Shrek movies to create a fantastical world where even the misfits can be the heroes, details that emphasize this are woven into the world. One notable reason that it’s helpful for fans to re-watch all the films is to ground themselves in this perspective of fairy tales: viewing them, in a way, critically.
Beginning with the first Shrek film, viewers will find that it best sets up the world, and understandably so, since it’s the introduction to it. In the first film, we recognize the themes of otherness and how creatures and beings that don’t conform to the perfect, traditional fairytale stereotypes are subject to mistreatment. This is a vital driving force for the story and characters in every film of the franchise. The remaining three movies that make up the main Shrek films, while still possessing that familiar themes, bring something new to the world through characters and new storyline. What allows the sequels to be so successful is their ability to focus on new storylines in the world, keeping the content fresh. Aside from the obvious introduction of new characters in each film, each movie also reveals new details about familiar character’s traits and pasts.
Puss, in particular, evolves a lot from the time that viewers meet him in Shrek 2, even just by the end of the story. His character, based on the story that inspired him, easily fits in with the misfit group, but his abilities and suave personality make him an instant star among the already beloved characters. As a result, it was no surprise at all that when each additional Shrek film came out, Puss was a staple character. It was even less surprising when it was then announced that there would be a Puss in Boots spin-off film released.
While the Puss in Boots film lacked the main characters from the Shrek movies, it introduced enough new characters that fulfilled the same dynamics. Beyond that, it gave viewers a better idea of who Puss really is and where he came from. In the first Shrek movie, audiences were introduced to what Shrek, Donkey, Fiona, and the others’ lives were like before they all found each other. This is a fundamental detail in the found-family structure of the story because it ultimately points out how much better their lives are together.
Because viewers don’t really get this moment in the second Shrek film when we meet Puss, the spin-off movies about him sort of serve that purpose. Thanks to of the complexity and popularity of his character, his storyline could be stretched across multiple films. Watching the first Puss in Boots movie is a reminder of how lovable his character is, as well as a reminder of what his shortcomings are and who the fundamental characters from his story arc are.
While there is plenty of motivation to re-watch the five films in order to better understand the world and characters in Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, there are no shortage of reasons to watch them again. Between the 2000s nostalgia of adults that grew up with the films, the message of acceptance in a time with so much hate, or simply the limitless laughs they offer, the Shrek movies offer viewers a timeless escape from a world that just needs a little more magic.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is set to premiere in theaters on December 21, 2022.