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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed movies.

Shrek
DreamWorks Distribution L.L.C.


8.6

based on 34 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 118 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie

FILM:

MPAA RATING: PG for mild language and some crude humor

Starring Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, John Lithgow, and Linda Hunt

Once upon a time in a far away swamp, there lived an ornery ogre named Shrek (Myers) whose precious solitude is suddenly shattered by an invasion of annoying fairy-tale characters. (Dreamworks SKG)

GENRE(S):	Fantasy
WRITTEN BY:	William Steig (book) Ted Elliott Terry Rossio Joe Stillman and Roger S.H. Schulman
DIRECTED BY:	Andrew Adamson Vicky Jenson
RELEASE DATE:	DVD: November 2, 2001 Video: November 2, 2001 Theatrical: May 18, 2001
RUNNING TIME:	89 minutes, Color
ORIGIN:	USA

Named Best Animated Feature at the 74th Annual Academy Awards.

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Washington Post Stephen Hunter

It's wondrous, it's fabulous, it's -- all but unprecedented.

100

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

This is not your average family cartoon. Shrek is jolly and wicked, filled with sly in-jokes and yet somehow possessing a heart.

100

Washington Post Desson Thomson

A movie that appeals to the eye, mind, heart and funny bone; that's a pretty good quadruple for any movie.

100

USA Today Susan Wloszczyna

A riotous and wee bit PG-racy computer-animated family fable, is the most thoroughly enjoyable cartoon feature since "Toy Story" burst out of its box.

100

New York Daily News Jami Bernard

An adorable, infectious work of true sophistication.

100

Variety Todd McCarthy

This spirited and often very funny lark accomplishes something that most films in the bygone Hollywood studio era used to do but is remarkably rare in today's world of niche markets: It offers entertainment equally to viewers from 4 to 104.

100

Newsweek David Ansen

Hilarious and captivating.

100

New York Post Lou Lumenick

An unqualified triumph.

100

Philadelphia Inquirer Desmond Ryan

The humor of the script constantly confounds expectations, and yet Shrek still manages to say all the right things to children.

100

Mr. Showbiz Cody Clark

What sells Shrek is ultimately the full-bodied personality of its characters.

Portland Oregonian Kim Morgan

Funny, irreverent and moving, the unconventional Shrek may mock fairy tales, but in the process, creates its own.

Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum

Lives happily ever after because it's such a feisty but good natured embrace of the inner ogre in everyone.

Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern

This beguiling fable, with its darkly distinctive look, does DreamWorks proud.

Rolling Stone Peter Travers

A world-class charmer that could even seduce the Academy when it hands out the first official animation Oscar next year.

New York Magazine Peter Rainer

The script, instead of being what we tolerate in order to savor the visuals, is a delight all by itself.

Chicago Reader Lisa Alspector

A movie whose story may be even more innovative than the superreal solidity of the animated characters.

Time Richard Schickel

It is the hilarious business of Shrek, a delightful new animated feature based on the William Steig book, to subvert all the well-worn expectations of its genre.

Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan

This fractured fairy tale not only knows there's no substitute for clever writing, it also has the confidence to take that information straight to the bank.

Baltimore Sun Michael Sragow

A computer-animated burlesque fairy tale that generates more belly laughs than any live-action comedy since "Best in Show."

Charlotte Observer Lawrence Toppman

It's possible to groan, chuckle, wince and be moist-eyed, sometimes in a span of seven or eight minutes.

Film.com Sean Means

The textures are detailed, the movements are realistic and the three-dimensional feel even improves on the humor -- you may think you've seen every good "Matrix" parody, but you haven't until you see this.

LA Weekly Paul Malcolm

Shrek's first 20 minutes are so devilishly funny that letting go of pure belief doesn't seem like such a bad thing.

TV Guide Frank Lovece

Colossally entertaining.

The New York Times A.O. Scott

A giggly cocktail, though it's more foam than drink.

Austin Chronicle Marc Savlov

Charmingly subversive animation like this is a rare thing indeed, and the fact that you don't have to be under 10 years of age to thoroughly enjoy Mr. Shrek's wild ride is an added bonus.

Boston Globe Jay Carr

Suggests a summit meeting between ''The Princess Bride'' and ''Bridget Jones's Diary,'' it has a decided charm of its own.

Christian Science Monitor David Sterritt

The visuals are amazingly realistic, filling the screen with authentic effects.

Miami Herald Rene Rodriguez

The first of this summer's would-be blockbusters that deserves to be a hit.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer Paula Nechak

While Shrek may trek into that dark territory and has some questionable values simmering beneath the surface, its characters are delightful enough and the film is just sweet-natured and visually sophiscated enough to avoid sinking into the swamp.

San Francisco Chronicle Mick LaSalle

As innocent as a Disney movie -- and a lot more entertaining.

Chicago Tribune Mark Caro

Alternately sweet and mean, sophisticated and vulgar, witty and base, dazzling and ugly, charming and charmless.

Salon.com Stephanie Zacharek

Am I alone in thinking that computer animation is the work of the antichrist?

New Times (L.A.) Robert Wilonsky

Shrek isn't clever or smart. It just wants you to think it is, through wink after wink after wink.

Village Voice Michael Atkinson

Desperately avoiding the risk of even a half-second of boredom, the movie is wall-to-window-to-door noise, babbling, and jokes.

The average user rating for this movie is 8.6 (out of 10) based on 118 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Brian K gave it a10:
Shrek isn't the least bit sophisticated or thought provoking, but it is filled with nonstop laughs and a little bit of action. It seems like a good film for adults and children alike.

Jared B. gave it a10:
How refreshing to see a kids' movie that is also fun for adults. I was 21 when this film came out, and I laughed out loud on several occasions. The voice casting was right on. This is a funny, great-looking film.

Chris K. gave it a9:
Nicely done Dreamworks! This movie has an excellent taste in humor as well as giving some life lessons on what's really beautiful and what's not. I believe many folks of all ages will love this movie.

daniel g. gave it a10:
I thought it the movie had a great combinatino of kid and adult humor with shrek for the adult humour and donkey for the children humour....very nicely done.

[Anonymous] gave it a9:
I like this and Shrek 2 about the same. Comedy is funny but not TOO over the top. First time I saw it I was on a plane to Taiwan to visit my relatives, and I was instantly hooked.

Tash gave it a10:
Excellent movie~! Makes you laugh!! Lovin it' =D

Terence M. gave it a10:
Clever, funny, fast-moving ... it mocks Walt Disney wonderfully and sets new standards for family movies.

Shrek DreamWorks Distribution L.L.C.

Shrek
DreamWorks Distribution L.L.C.