'Shrek 5' Teaser Embraces Meme Culture, And It's More Meta Than Ever Before

Express Tribune

28-02-2025

The Shrek franchise has become an unlikely cultural juggernaut over the years, shifting from a quirky animated film into one of the most iconic pop-culture staples of all time.
What started in 2001 as a cheeky parody of classic fairy tales quickly turned into a franchise with unexpected staying power.
While children still love it, Shrek has particularly resonated with a generation of young adults who grew up with the films, appreciating its sharp wit, social commentary, and subversive humor. From its subversion of classic fairytale tropes to its perfectly chosen pop culture references, the Shrek franchise has aged gracefully, staying relevant through its knack for self-awareness and clever adult humor.
Now, after more than a decade since Shrek Forever After hit theaters, the Shrek franchise is returning with Shrek 5—and it's diving headfirst into the very culture it helped shape: memes.
The first teaser for Shrek 5 made that clear right away.
In the trailer, Shrek and Donkey are seen looking into the Magic Mirror from the original movie, only for the mirror to present Shrek memes in the form of filters, like the classic "duckface" sunglasses filter, a 'buff' Shrek, and a bizarre Shrek dancing in a shiny latex catsuit. These nods to internet humor are a clear reflection of the current digital age, where memes have become a language in their own right.
However, while the meme-based humor in the trailer was an amusing nod to Shrek's history of pop culture references, not everyone was thrilled. Many fans were taken aback by the new animation style and character redesigns didn't capture the same charm as the earlier films.
This was especially noticeable in the redesign of Shrek's daughter, voiced by Zendaya, which some fans felt lacked the same warmth and familiarity. The new look of the characters didn't sit well with everyone, as it felt like a departure from the aesthetic that made the original films so beloved.
The Shrek films have always been famous for their ability to appeal to multiple age groups by balancing mature humor with kid-friendly antics. From satirizing Hollywood in Shrek 2 to constantly poking fun at fairy tale conventions, the films never shy away from commentary.
Shrek 5 seems to be leaning into this established trend by blending meme culture with its irreverent humor.
The teaser's opening scene, in which Shrek questions, 'Who's making this stuff?' feels like an intentional wink to the vast amount of absurd content on the internet today.
While some fans have voiced their disappointment over the animation and design changes, others are intrigued by how Shrek 5 could incorporate memes into the story.
Could these internet jokes and viral moments actually play a role in the narrative, or is this just a bit of cheeky marketing to engage a more internet-savvy audience? It remains to be seen whether the memes are simply an aspect of the teaser or will be woven into the plot itself, but one thing's for sure—Shrek 5 is tapping into the digital zeitgeist.
Despite the mixed reactions to the redesigns and animation, there's an undeniable excitement brewing for what the movie will bring.
As the franchise continues to evolve with the times, fans are eager to see how the series will balance its beloved past with a new, meme-infused future.
Will the humor still work for the old fans, or will the internet age leave Shrek behind?
Only time will tell, but one thing's for certain: Shrek 5 has certainly captured everyone's attention.