Are you a fan of Shrek’s irreverent humor, lovable characters, and heartwarming story? If you’ve watched this beloved animated classic more times than you can count, you’re probably on the hunt for similar movies that capture that same magic. Well, you’re in luck! We’ve compiled a list of the 18 best movies like Shrek that are sure to delight both kids and adults alike.
From DreamWorks gems like “How to Train Your Dragon” and “Kung Fu Panda” to Pixar masterpieces such as “The Incredibles” and “Monsters, Inc.”, our list covers a wide range of animated adventures that share Shrek’s spirit of fun, friendship, and self-discovery. These films feature unlikely heroes, clever twists on familiar tales, and humor that works on multiple levels – just like our favorite green ogre’s story.
Whether you’re in the mood for a musical extravaganza like “Frozen” or a witty satire like “Megamind”, our roundup of the 18 best movies like Shrek has something for everyone. Let’s dive in and explore these animated treasures that prove there’s plenty of happily ever after to go around!
1. How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
This DreamWorks animated film has a lot in common with Shrek. It features a misfit protagonist, Hiccup, who befriends an unlikely companion – in this case, a dragon named Toothless. Like Shrek, it’s packed with humor and heart as Hiccup and Toothless challenge the prejudices of their village. The animation is stunning and the voice cast, led by Jay Baruchel and Gerard Butler, is top-notch.
2. Kung Fu Panda (2008)
Another DreamWorks gem, Kung Fu Panda follows the journey of Po, a clumsy panda who dreams of becoming a kung fu master. With the help of his mentor Shifu and the Furious Five, Po must rise to the challenge when his village is threatened. Like Shrek, it has a lovable misfit hero, plenty of laughs, and valuable life lessons about believing in yourself and never giving up.
3. The Incredibles (2004)
This Pixar classic puts a fresh spin on the superhero genre, focusing on a family of “supers” trying to live a quiet suburban life. When Mr. Incredible is called back into action, the whole family must embrace their powers. The Incredibles shares Shrek’s satirical edge and pop culture references that entertain adults and kids alike. The retro-cool animation style and jazzy score complete the package.
4. Monsters, Inc. (2001)
Released the same year as Shrek, Monsters, Inc. is another inventive take on a familiar concept. It imagines a world where monsters power their city by scaring human children, until one little girl, Boo, turns their world upside down. With its clever premise, memorable characters, and themes of friendship and facing your fears, Monsters, Inc. is a perfect pick for Shrek fans.
5. Despicable Me (2010)
Despicable Me takes a villain and makes him the unlikely hero, much like Shrek did with its ogre protagonist. Gru, a supervillain voiced by Steve Carell, has his evil plans thwarted by three adorable orphan girls. With a lot of heart and even more laughs, especially from Gru’s gibberish-speaking Minions, Despicable Me is a family favorite for good reason.
6. The Emperor’s New Groove (2000)
This underrated Disney gem has the same irreverent humor and anachronistic jokes as Shrek. Emperor Kuzco is turned into a llama by his evil advisor Yzma and must rely on the help of gentle villager Pacha to take back his throne. With a brisk pace, witty dialogue, and a groovy soundtrack, The Emperor’s New Groove is a hidden gem worth discovering.
7. Megamind (2010)
Another DreamWorks entry, Megamind puts a clever spin on the superhero vs. supervillain trope. When Megamind finally defeats his nemesis Metro Man, he finds his life as a villain lacks purpose. His attempts to create a new hero go hilariously awry. Like Shrek, Megamind takes familiar story beats and flips them in unexpected ways, with plenty of gags and a surprising amount of depth.
8. The Road to El Dorado (2000)
This DreamWorks adventure follows two con men, Tulio and Miguel, who stumble upon the legendary city of gold, El Dorado. Mistaken for gods, they must keep up the ruse while their friendship and values are tested. The Road to El Dorado bombed at the box office but has gained a cult following for its stunning visuals, catchy Elton John soundtrack, and mature themes that recall Shrek.
9. The Iron Giant (1999)
Directed by Brad Bird pre-Pixar, The Iron Giant is a touching Cold War-era tale of a boy who befriends a giant alien robot. With its gorgeous retro animation and powerful anti-war message, The Iron Giant has only grown in esteem over the years. Like Shrek, it trusts its young audience to handle complex emotions and ideas, making it a family film with real substance.
10. Puss in Boots (2011)
A spin-off of the Shrek franchise, Puss in Boots takes the charismatic feline voiced by Antonio Banderas and gives him his own origin story and adventure. Partnered with Kitty Softpaws and Humpty Dumpty, Puss must redeem his name and save his town. With the same storybook style and fairytale twists as Shrek, Puss in Boots is catnip for fans of the original.
11. Ratatouille (2007)
Another Pixar entry, Ratatouille follows Remy, a rat with dreams of becoming a gourmet chef. He teams up with hapless garbage boy Linguini to secretly become the toast of the Paris restaurant scene. Like Shrek, Ratatouille takes an unorthodox hero and sends him on a journey of self-discovery. It’s a treat for the eyes, ears, and soul, with a lovely score and mouth-watering depictions of food.
12. The Pirates! Band of Misfits (2012)
From Aardman Studios, the claymation wizards behind Wallace & Gromit and Chicken Run, this pirate comedy is a treasure trove of visual puns and gags. The Pirate Captain (voiced by Hugh Grant) enters the Pirate of the Year competition in this madcap adventure featuring Charles Darwin and Queen Victoria. With its cheeky British humor, it should tickle fans of Shrek’s more adult-oriented jokes.
13. Tangled (2010)
Disney’s 50th animated feature updates the Rapunzel fairy tale with computer animation, catchy Alan Menken tunes, and the voices of Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi. Like Shrek, it both honors and pokes fun at classic fairy tale tropes, with a more modern sensibility. The animation is gorgeous, especially the iconic floating lanterns, and the story has surprising emotional heft.
14. Wreck-It Ralph (2012)
This Disney tribute to classic video games has a lovable lug of a protagonist in Ralph, the villain of the Fix-It Felix Jr. arcade game. Tired of always being the bad guy, Ralph “goes Turbo” and travels to other games to prove he can be a hero. The voice cast led by John C. Reilly and Sarah Silverman is game-ready, and the video game in-jokes and cameos are a delight for gaming fans.
15. Frozen (2013)
You’d have to be under an ice spell to have missed this Disney megahit. Loosely inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen, Frozen follows the adventures of royal sisters Anna and Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped their kingdom in eternal winter. With its earworm soundtrack, meme-spawning dialogue, and refreshing take on “true love,” Frozen became a pop culture phenomenon to rival Shrek.
16. The Lego Movie (2014)
Like Shrek, The Lego Movie takes a commercial property – in this case, the iconic plastic building blocks – and turns it into a hilarious, heartfelt hero’s journey. Everyman minifigure Emmet is hilariously average until he stumbles into a prophecy and must save the Lego realms from the evil Lord Business. Packed with rapid-fire jokes, eye-popping animation, and a surprisingly deep message, The Lego Movie constructs a new family classic.
17. Zootopia (2016)
Disney’s anthropomorphic animal metropolis provides a perfect backdrop for this timely tale of prejudice, stereotyping, and learning to look past differences. Idealistic bunny cop Judy Hopps and con-artist fox Nick Wilde form an unlikely partnership to crack a missing mammals case. Like Shrek, Zootopia creates a fully realized fantasy world and peoples it with unforgettable characters, while never losing sight of its powerful themes.
18. Moana (2016)
Disney’s Polynesian princess is actually the daughter of a chief, and she’s got the fate of her people resting on her shoulders when she must set out across the ocean to return the heart of the goddess Te Fiti. Aided by trickster demigod Maui (voiced by Dwayne Johnson), Moana is a thrilling adventure with stunning visuals and a roster of instant-classic songs by Hamilton’s Lin-Manuel Miranda. Like Shrek, it features a strong, independent heroine who bucks tradition to find her own way.
While there’s only one Shrek, these 18 movies embody a lot of what made that ornery ogre so lovable: humor that works for kids and grown-ups, memorable characters, catchy music, and stories that balance laughter with heart. From classics like The Incredibles to new favorites like Moana, these films prove that family movies can be just as emotionally rich and thematically resonant as their live-action counterparts. So grab some popcorn, gather the family, and enjoy these fairytale-caliber films.
