When you think of fairy tales, you may imagine dainty princesses and magical rainbow unicorns. Throw all of your fairy tale expectations out the window, and you’re left with Shrek, a misunderstood but lovable ogre who’s just trying to get through life in a world where ogres are not welcome.
Shrek came out in 2001, and it was so successful that it turned into a widespread franchise! Over the past two decades, it has spawned sequels, a prequel, a spin off television series, and even an amusement park ride! How do they all measure up against each other? We took a look at audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes, and we listed each part of the franchise from worst to best. Here is how they made out:
The Ghost of Lord Farquaad (Shrek 4-D/Shrek 3-D) - No Score Yet
We don’t blame you if you’ve never heard of this short movie before because it was originally part of an attraction at different theme parks around the world. Guests can to watch this mini film as well as take part in a 4D experience that includes motion seats, sprays of water and air, leg ticklers, and special lighting. The story takes place right after the first film when Lord Farquaad’s ghost comes back and orchestrates the kidnapping of Princess Fiona.
While you may not get a chance to experience the ride, you can still watch the short movie online! There is no audience rating for it yet on Rotten Tomatoes, so go watch it and leave your vote!
Shrek the Third (2007) - 52%
Shrek has faced angry mobs with pitch forks and torches, but in Shrek the Third, he’s about to experience something even scarier. Fiona’s father has tragically passed away, and Shrek must step up as the new king. Not feeling prepared for the role, he goes off in search of another heir, hoping that he will be relieved of royal duties. As if being a ruler isn’t hard enough, there’s more news - Fiona is pregnant!
As Shrek is faced with his biggest challenges yet, he must learn who he really is and who he is bound to become. Audiences gave this film a 52%.
Shrek Forever After (2010) - 54%
Shrek Forever After is the fourth film in the Shrek franchise, where Shrek is dealing with the difficulties of parenting. Feeling overwhelmed, he makes a deal with Rumpelstiltskin so that Shrek can spend a day living as an ogre the way he used to.
Shrek gets exactly what he wished for, and his fatherly responsibilities are gone for the day… but only because his children now don’t exist, and Fiona has no idea who Shrek is. Everything we have seen in Shrek’s films has never happened, and Shrek has to fight for his true love Fiona to believe that she is destined to be with him. This alternate reality movie was given a 54% by audiences on RT.
Scared Shrekless (2010) - 63%
It’s Halloween for Shrek and his friends, and that can only mean one thing - telling scary stories! Shrek, along with Gingy, Pinocchio, Donkey, Puss, the three little pigs, and the big bad wolf, sneak into the ruins Lord Farquaad’s castle of Duloc and each have a turn telling a terrifying tale.
The mini episodes are called “The Bride of Gingy”, “Boots Motel,” and “The Shreksorcist.” Their stories appear to be spoofs on other famous scary movies - The Bride of Frankenstein, Psycho, and The Exorcist. This short series had viewers shaking in their boots, and they gave it a 63% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Shrek the Halls (2007) - 63%
Shrek the halls with bugs and ear slime, fa la la la la la la la la. Christmas time has come in Far Far Away, but Shrek doesn’t quite grasp what it really means to celebrate Christmas. Still, he promises Fiona that it will be special, and he gets himself a copy of Christmas for Village Idiots in the hopes that reading it will help him make the day all that he wants it to be.
Things don’t quite go as planned when Donkey shows up with the whole crew and then interrupts Shrek telling the classic story ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. With things going all wrong, Shrek makes a decision that could affect the rest of Christmas for his family, his friends, and himself. This half hour special also received a 63%.
Puss in Boots (2011) - 67%
The beloved kitten with the adorable wide eyes, also known as Puss in Boots, was introduced to us in the second Shrek movie, and fans loved his sassy sword fighting ways.
Eight years after his debut, Puss was given his own spin off movie, aptly titled Puss in Boots. Unlike the sequels that take place after the first Shrek film, Puss in Boots is a prequel, taking place before he meets Shrek. The movie goes into Puss’ life as a fugitive and shows the feud against Jack and Jill for some magical beans. The little feline fellow got a 67% score on RT.
Shrek 2 (2004) - 69%
Shrek is recently married, and he couldn’t be happier! He has a beautiful wife and a disgusting swamp (but he loves it) to share with her.
Then it comes time to meet the in laws, and since they are a king and a queen, Shrek has to throw out gross and grungy for prim and proper. Seeing the life of luxury that Fiona could have had without him, Shrek starts to doubt himself and whether he is good enough the way he is. He goes off in search of Fairy Godmother to make all his wishes come true, including being better for Fiona. Shrek 2 is the highest rated of the three main sequels with a 69%.
Shrek the Musical - 80%
The original Shrek film is funny, unique, and has a certain charm that is rarely found elsewhere. The only thing that could make it better is turning it into a musical! Shrek the Musical was first on Broadway in 2008, and it features the story of the first movie with some differences, the main one being singing. In this production, we get to see all of our favorite scenes and as well as some new ones, including Fiona’s childhood and one with Shrek’s parents!
While the show is no longer on Broadway, you don’t have to feel bad if you missed it. A recording of the play was released in 2013, so you can watch your favorite characters singing over and over. Shrek the Musical gets a solid 80% audience score.
The Adventures of Puss in Boots - 86%
The Adventures of Puss in Boots is the only television series included on our list, and like his movie, the show is a prequel to the other films. The village of San Lorenzo was originally hidden from outsiders by a magic spell, but when Puss accidentally breaks the protection spell, he becomes faced with the task of restoring it as well as defending the village from invaders.
The show consists of 78 episodes, and it ran from 2015 until 2018. Puss’ adventures received an 86% score from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, higher than any other spin off or sequel.
Shrek (2001) - 90%
Of course the movie of all movies, the one that started it all, is the one at the top of our list. Shrek came out in 2001, and the world hasn’t been the same since. He’s an ogre who has just had a group of fairy tale creatures dumped on his front porch, and he’s on a mission to get them out. To do that, he makes a deal with Lord Farquaad, who tells Shrek to rescue a princess for him in exchange for the deed to his swamp.
With a wise cracking donkey at his side and a princess with a dark secret, this journey is entertaining and hilarious. Shrek earned a 90% rating audience score on RT.
