The Definitive 2025 Guide: 5 Reasons Why Shrek Isn't On Disney Plus (And The Surprising Exception!)

Despite the massive popularity of the franchise and the constant rotation of third-party content on streaming platforms, the simple answer to "Is Shrek on Disney Plus?" remains a qualified 'No' for most of the world as of December 14, 2025. The lovable ogre and his entire cinematic universe are conspicuously absent from the House of Mouse’s streaming platform due to one of the biggest corporate rivalries in Hollywood history. However, in a surprising twist that proves no licensing deal is permanent, the original Shrek film is slated for a temporary appearance on Disney+ in the United Kingdom and Ireland in December 2025, confirming that even the most famous rivals can share a swamp for a limited time.

This situation is a perfect example of the complex world of streaming rights and corporate ownership. While Disney+ is the exclusive home for content from The Walt Disney Company, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic, the Shrek franchise belongs to a completely different corporate family. This article breaks down the definitive reasons why Shrek is usually not on Disney Plus, reveals the true streaming homes for the entire saga, and explains the unexpected regional exception that is baffling fans.

The Definitive Answer: Is Shrek On Disney Plus Right Now?

For subscribers in the United States, Canada, Australia, and most other territories, the answer is unequivocally No. None of the main films—Shrek (2001), Shrek 2, Shrek the Third, or Shrek Forever After—are available to stream on Disney+.

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The absence of the iconic green ogre is not an oversight; it is a fundamental issue of intellectual property ownership. The Shrek franchise is a cornerstone of DreamWorks Animation, a studio that was famously founded by former Disney executive Jeffrey Katzenberg. Today, DreamWorks Animation is a subsidiary of Universal Pictures, which itself is owned by the massive media conglomerate NBCUniversal, a division of Comcast.

In the current streaming wars, this means the Shrek films are primarily used to bolster the content library of Universal’s own streaming service, Peacock. While Disney+ occasionally licenses third-party films, they are extremely selective, and directly featuring one of their biggest animation competitor's flagship titles would be a rare and often expensive move, reserved only for specific regional deals.

Why the Ogre Isn't Living in the House of Mouse (The Ownership Wars)

To understand why Shrek is not a permanent fixture on Disney+, you must understand the corporate landscape. This rivalry is the single biggest barrier to the ogre's appearance on the platform.

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1. DreamWorks is Owned by Universal/Comcast

The Shrek films were produced by DreamWorks Animation. In 2016, NBCUniversal acquired DreamWorks Animation for nearly $3.8 billion. This acquisition means that all intellectual property, including Shrek, Puss in Boots, How to Train Your Dragon, and Madagascar, falls under the ownership of Universal Pictures. The main streaming home for these properties is Universal's own service, Peacock.

2. The Streaming Wars Mandate

Every major studio has its own streaming service: Disney has Disney+, Warner Bros. Discovery has Max, and NBCUniversal has Peacock. The primary goal of these services is to keep their most valuable content exclusive to drive subscriber growth. Placing a massive franchise like Shrek on a rival platform like Disney+ would directly benefit a competitor and undermine the value of Peacock.

3. The Pixar vs. DreamWorks Rivalry

The *Shrek* franchise was famously created as a direct competitor to the animation style and storytelling of Pixar, which is owned by Disney. While Pixar focuses on internal, original content for Disney+, DreamWorks has always been positioned as a major alternative. Licensing Shrek to Disney+ would be akin to allowing a rival sports team to play their championship game in your stadium—it happens, but it’s a strategic move, not a surrender of territory.

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Where to Stream Every Shrek Movie Today (The Real Streaming Homes)

Since Shrek is not on Disney Plus, fans must navigate a rotating landscape of licensing deals to find the movies. Streaming rights for the franchise frequently change, with films moving between major platforms like Netflix and Peacock every few months.

As of December 2025, here is a breakdown of where to find the major films in the US, though this is subject to change:

• Shrek (2001): Typically found on Peacock. This is the most consistent home for the original film, as it is Universal's platform.
• Shrek 2 (2004): Also frequently available on Peacock or Netflix. Netflix often licenses the films for a temporary window, sometimes acquiring the entire main quartet.
• Shrek the Third (2007): Most often streams on Peacock alongside the first two films.
• Shrek Forever After (2010): This film is the most prone to rotation, sometimes appearing on Max or Hulu when not on Peacock or Netflix.
• Puss in Boots (2011) & Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022): The spin-off films have their own separate licensing deals. The original Puss in Boots often follows the main Shrek films, but the critically acclaimed sequel, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, has been prominently featured on Prime Video and Netflix due to post-theatrical window agreements.

For the most consistent viewing experience of the main saga, Peacock is your best starting point, as it is the corporate sibling to DreamWorks Animation.

The Surprising UK/Ireland Exception: Shrek’s Temporary Disney+ Visit in December 2025

In a move that has generated significant buzz and confusion among subscribers, the original Shrek film is scheduled to arrive on Disney+ in the United Kingdom and Ireland on December 1, 2025.

This is a perfect example of how international licensing operates independently of US corporate ownership. Here’s why this is happening:

1. Regional Licensing Deals: While Universal controls the rights globally, they often sell temporary, non-exclusive streaming licenses on a country-by-country basis to maximize revenue. In the UK/Ireland market, Disney+ likely paid for a short-term license to bolster its library with a popular family title for the holiday season.
2. The Third-Party Content Strategy: Disney+ has been more aggressive in licensing third-party content internationally than in the US, where it strictly adheres to its core brands. Films like *Avatar* (now owned by Disney through the Fox acquisition) and even some Sony titles have appeared on the service outside of the US.
3. It is Not Permanent: This is a rental. Universal still owns the franchise, and the film will likely rotate off Disney+ after a few months, returning to its usual homes like Sky Cinema or Netflix in those regions. This temporary stay does not signal any change in ownership or a permanent shift in streaming strategy for the US market.

Subscribers in the UK and Ireland should take advantage of this rare opportunity to watch the iconic film on the Disney platform before it inevitably rotates out.

The Future of Shrek Streaming: Shrek 5 and Beyond

The Shrek franchise is far from over. DreamWorks Animation has confirmed that Shrek 5 is officially in development, with the original voice cast—including Mike Myers (Shrek), Eddie Murphy (Donkey), and Cameron Diaz (Princess Fiona)—expected to return. While no official release date has been set, the film is a high priority for Universal.

When Shrek 5 eventually hits theaters, its streaming future will be a major event. Given the current corporate strategy, the film is almost guaranteed to follow a post-theatrical window that prioritizes Peacock. It will likely debut exclusively on Peacock for a period before rotating to other services like Netflix or Prime Video through secondary licensing deals. The likelihood of Shrek 5 ever having a permanent home on Disney+ is virtually zero, reinforcing the ongoing separation of the ogre from the mouse.

For now, US fans must continue to check Peacock and Netflix for the most reliable streaming options, while UK/Ireland subscribers can look forward to the surprising, temporary arrival of the original film on Disney+ in December 2025.