Top 10 movies to watch if you like The Shrek

The Shrek, DreamWorks Animation's blockbuster (2001), looks into the life of a reclusive ogre whose solitude in his swamp is disrupted when myriad fairy tale creatures are exiled there by the scheming Lord Farquaad. Seeking to regain his peace, Shrek strikes a deal with Farquaad to rescue Princess Fiona, who harbors a secret that changes Shrek’s life.

The plot further shows steady growth with a dragon-guarded castle and a relatable love story, following humor with an unexpected twist on classic fairy tale themes.

Here are the films that echo the charm and wit of The Shrek. Like the beloved ogre's adventures, the movies listed here blend fantastical storytelling with humor and heart. From animated adventures to whimsical fantasies, these films are meant to be entertaining.

Disclaimer: The listicle strictly contains the writer's opinion.

10 must-watch films after watching The Shrek

1) Kung Fu Panda

Kung Fu Panda follows Po, a clumsy panda who wants to master kung fu. His awkwardness makes this goal seem unattainable until a snow leopard threatens his village. Po's unexpected selection as the village's protector leads to rigorous training under Master Shifu, filled with humor and personal growth.

Jack Black voices Po, who mixes laugh-out-loud moments with emotional undertones like The Shrek. Action and humor entertain, while self-belief and perseverance inspire the film. Watch Kung Fu Panda on Netflix or Prime.

2) Trolls World Tour

Trolls World Tour expands the Trolls' colorful world into more musical genres. The Troll tribes' different musical styles cause conflict when a rock takeover threatens harmony. Poppy and Branch must unite the tribes and save their music-filled world.

Following The Shrek, this sequel adds to its charm with inventive animation and a soundtrack that appeals to kids and adults. The Shrek's inclusive themes and unity through diversity are similar. It's available on Hulu and Peacock.

3) Madagascar

Madagascar, starring Central Park Zoo animals, is a wild ride. The film follows Alex the lion, Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe, and Gloria the hippo, who mysteriously land on Madagascar. As they navigate this new wildlife, their urban sensibilities clash with the jungle, resulting in several comedic moments.

The characters, voiced by Chris Rock and Ben Stiller, reflect The Shrek's diverse and engaging ensemble, making it a fun and friendly film. Madagascar is available on Vudu, Prime Video, and Google Play.

4) Frozen

Be it a kid or someone who loves fairy tales, Frozen can entertain everyone. The magical world of Arendelle is the setting for Elsa and Anna's story in Frozen. After an accident that harms Anna, Elsa isolates herself to protect everyone while struggling to control her magical ice powers.

The film follows Anna's dangerous search for Elsa, who accidentally plunged the kingdom into eternal winter. Anna teams up with a tough iceman, his loyal reindeer, and a silly snowman.

Sisterhood, self-acceptance, and love are central to this adventure, which has the emotional depth and captivating fantasy world of The Shrek. The film's soundtrack, like The Shrek's, is beloved. Frozen is available on Disney+ and Prime Video.

5) The Croods

Set in a fictional prehistoric era, The Croods follows a family of cave people whose world is turned upside down when their cave is destroyed. Led by the overprotective patriarch Grug, the family must embark on a journey to find a new home. Along the way, they encounter an inventive boy who introduces them to revolutionary new tools like fire.

As they traverse strange and spectacular terrain, the Croods must overcome their fears and learn to adapt to the new world. The film humorously explores themes of family dynamics, fear of the unknown, and the clash between tradition and innovation, echoing The Shrek's blend of humor with heartfelt family themes.

The Croods' journey to acceptance and understanding parallels the transformative adventures of The Shrek. Anyone can watch this on Peacock, Google Play, Apple TV, YouTube, and Prime Video.

6) Monsters, Inc.

Monsters, Inc. takes place in Monstropolis, where monsters fear children are toxic. Monsters, Inc., the largest scream factory, employs Sulley and his best friend Mike Wazowski. The monster world thinks children's screams power their city. When Sulley accidentally lets Boo, a human girl, into their world, matters escalate.

Sulley and Mike uncover conspiracies and discover that laughter may be stronger than screams as they try to return Boo home. Like The Shrek, the film reimagines the monster-under-the-bed story by making monsters lovable, challenging preconceptions, and emphasizing friendship and fearlessness. Disney+ streams this for a quick binge.

7) Mr. Peabody and Sherman

Mr. Peabody and Sherman (Image via Dream Works)

Mr. Peabody and Sherman is based on a timeless cartoon about a genius dog who adopts a human boy, Sherman. With the Wabac machine, Mr. Peabody and Sherman travel back in time to important historical events.

The film gets funny when Sherman borrows the Wabac to impress a friend and breaks the space-time continuum. They must then rush to fix history and save the future. Like The Shrek, the film cleverly incorporates historical figures and events into its story, using humor to educate and entertain while exploring fatherhood, acceptance, and understanding. This one is available on Netflix and Prime.

8) Coraline

Coraline on Prime Video (Image via Prime Video)

The dark fantasy Coraline follows a young girl who discovers an alternate version of her frustrating home life. The parallel world seems better than her real one, but Coraline discovers its sinister secrets. Based on Neil Gaiman's novella, the film uses stop-motion animation to create a hauntingly beautiful and detailed world.

Coraline must be brave and smart to return home and save her parents. The film's exploration of dual realities and "be careful what you wish for" matches The Shrek's layered storytelling and complex themes, appealing to older audiences while still captivating younger viewers with its visual and narrative depth. Stream Coraline on Netflix to experience its spooky world.

9) Home

Home brings a fresh twist on the odd-man-out trope with a colorful sci-fi adventure. Oh, a misfit from the alien race known as the Boov, is notorious for his clumsiness and desperate need for companionship, qualities that make him an outcast among his own kind.

When the Boov invade Earth to hide from their enemies and exploit the planet's resources, Oh accidentally sends a party invitation that reveals their location. This blunder turns him into a fugitive within his own community.

During his escape, he crosses paths with Tip, a spirited human girl played by Rihanna, who is searching for her mother. Together, they embark on a globe-trotting journey to mend Oh's mistake and help Tip find her family, learning about friendship and acceptance along the way.

These vibrant and heartwarming scenes, capture themes of belonging and the true meaning of home. One can stream Home on Netflix or Prime Video.

10) Trolls

Trolls by Dreamworks (Image Dream Works)

Like its spiritual predecessor, The Shrek, Trolls is a joyful, musical film. Anna Kendrick voices Troll princess Poppy, who is always happy. Her life revolves around singing, dancing, and hugging. The Bergens, gloomy creatures who think eating Trolls is the only way to be happy, capture some of Poppy's friends, threatening the Trolls' idyllic life.

Poppy teams up with Justin Timberlake's grumpy survivalist Troll Branch to save them. The adventure is full of humor, heartfelt moments, and a catchy soundtrack that keeps viewers engaged. The Shrek's emotional and comedic depth matches its message about happiness and positive thinking. Watch Trolls on Hulu and Prime.

These films capture the spirit that makes The Shrek a classic by exploring fantastical worlds, overcoming unusual challenges, or laughing with characters and audiences. Like our favorite ogre, these adventures continue to charm and entertain, so grab some popcorn.