# Shrek 2 By [Untitled](https://paragraph.com/@0xc6e2c380db7404e44671a12376bb0b6732aeb7b8) · 2023-08-22 --- **_Shrek 2_** is a 2004 American [computer-animated](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Computer_animation) [fantasy](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Fantasy_film) [comedy film](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Comedy_film) loosely based on the 1990 children's picture book [_Shrek!_](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Shrek!) by [William Steig](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/William_Steig). Directed by [Andrew Adamson](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Andrew_Adamson), [Kelly Asbury](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Kelly_Asbury), and [Conrad Vernon](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Conrad_Vernon) (in Vernon's feature directorial debut) from a screenplay by Adamson, [Joe Stillman](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Joe_Stillman), J. David Stem, and [David N. Weiss](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/David_N._Weiss), it is the sequel to [_Shrek_](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Shrek) (2001) and the second installment in the [_Shrek_ film series](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Shrek_\(franchise\)). The film stars [Mike Myers](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Mike_Myers), [Eddie Murphy](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Eddie_Murphy) and [Cameron Diaz](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Cameron_Diaz), who reprise their respective [voice roles](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Voice_acting) of [Shrek](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Shrek_\(character\)), [Donkey](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Donkey_\(Shrek\)), and [Fiona](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Princess_Fiona). They are joined by new characters voiced by [Antonio Banderas](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Antonio_Banderas), [Julie Andrews](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Julie_Andrews), [John Cleese](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/John_Cleese), [Rupert Everett](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Rupert_Everett), and [Jennifer Saunders](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Jennifer_Saunders). _Shrek 2_ takes place following the events of the first film, with Shrek and Donkey meeting Fiona's parents as her zealous Fairy Godmother, who wants Fiona to marry her son Prince Charming, plots to destroy Shrek and Fiona's marriage. Shrek and Donkey team up with a swashbuckling cat named [Puss in Boots](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Puss_in_Boots_\(Shrek\)) to foil her plans. Development began in 2001, and following disagreements with producers, the first film's screenwriters [Ted Elliott](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Ted_Elliott_\(screenwriter\)) and [Terry Rossio](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Terry_Rossio) were replaced with Adamson. The story was inspired by [_Guess Who's Coming to Dinner_](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Guess_Who's_Coming_to_Dinner) (1967), and new animation tools were utilized to improve the visual appearance of each character, particularly Puss in Boots. The lead actors also received a significant bump in salary to $10 million, which at the time was among the highest contracts in their respective careers. Like its predecessor, _Shrek 2_ also [parodies](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Parody_film) other films based on fairy tales and features references to American popular culture. The film is dedicated to the memory of Shrek creator William Steig, who died in October 2003, 8 months before the film was released. _Shrek 2_ premiered at the [2004 Cannes Film Festival](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/2004_Cannes_Film_Festival) on May 15, 2004, where it competed for the [Palme d'Or](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Palme_d'Or), and it was released in theaters on May 19, by [DreamWorks Pictures](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/DreamWorks_Pictures). Met with highly favorable reviews like its predecessor, the film grossed $935.3 million worldwide. It scored the second-largest three-day opening weekend in United States history and the largest opening for an animated film at the time of its release. It went on to become the [highest-grossing film of 2004](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/2004_in_film#Highest-grossing_films). _Shrek 2_ is also [DreamWorks Animation](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/DreamWorks_Animation)'s highest-grossing film to date and the highest-grossing film released by DreamWorks Pictures, and it held the title of being the [highest-grossing animated film](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/List_of_highest-grossing_animated_films) of all time worldwide until [Pixar Animation Studios](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Pixar)' [_Toy Story 3_](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Toy_Story_3) surpassed it in 2010. The film received two [Academy Award](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Academy_Award) nominations for [Best Animated Feature](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Academy_Award_for_Best_Animated_Feature) and [Best Original Song](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Academy_Award_for_Best_Original_Song), and its associated [soundtrack](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Shrek_2:_The_Motion_Picture_Soundtrack) charted in the Top 10 on the [US _Billboard_ 200](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Billboard_200). A sequel, [_Shrek the Third_](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Shrek_the_Third), was released in May 2007. The film's character Puss in Boots has also received his own series of spin-off media—[_Puss in Boots_](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Puss_in_Boots_\(2011_film\)) (2011), [_The Adventures of Puss in Boots_](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/The_Adventures_of_Puss_in_Boots) (2015–2018) and [_Puss in Boots: The Last Wish_](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Puss_in_Boots:_The_Last_Wish) (2022)—following his debut. **Plot** -------- Newlyweds [Shrek](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Shrek_\(character\)) and [Princess Fiona](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Princess_Fiona) return from their [honeymoon](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Honeymoon) to find they have been invited by Fiona's parents to a royal ball to celebrate their marriage. Shrek initially refuses to attend, but Fiona convinces him, and along with [Donkey](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Donkey_\(Shrek\)), they travel to the kingdom of Far Far Away. They meet Fiona's parents, [King Harold](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/King_Harold_\(Shrek\)) and [Queen Lillian](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Queen_Lillian_\(Shrek\)), who are shocked to see the ogres, with Harold particularly repulsed. At dinner, Shrek and Harold get into a heated argument, and Fiona, disgusted at their behavior, locks herself away in her room. Shrek worries that he is losing Fiona, particularly after finding her childhood diary and reading that she was once infatuated with [Prince Charming](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Prince_Charming_\(Shrek\)). Harold is secretly reprimanded by the [Fairy Godmother](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Fairy_Godmother_\(Shrek\)), as her son, Prince Charming, was to marry Fiona in exchange for Harold's own happy ending. She orders him to get rid of Shrek, so Harold arranges for [Puss in Boots](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Puss_in_Boots_\(Shrek\)) to assassinate him under the guise of a hunting trip. Unable to defeat Shrek, Puss reveals that he was paid by Harold and offers to be an ally. Shrek, Donkey, and Puss sneak into the Fairy Godmother's factory and steal a "Happily Ever After" potion that Shrek thinks will make him good enough for Fiona. Shrek and Donkey both drink the potion but nothing happens. Shrek laments before he and Donkey both suddenly fall asleep. Meanwhile, in Far Far Away, Fiona prepares to find Shrek so they can return home, but she too falls asleep. The following morning, the potion transforms Shrek and Fiona into humans, and Donkey into a white [stallion](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Stallion). In order to make the change permanent, Shrek must kiss Fiona by midnight. Shrek, Donkey, and Puss return to the castle. However, the Fairy Godmother, having discovered the theft, has sent Charming to pose as Shrek and win Fiona's love. At the Fairy Godmother's urging, Shrek leaves the castle, believing that the best way to make Fiona happy is to let her go. Fiona does not reciprocate Charming's advances, so to ensure she falls in love with Charming, the Fairy Godmother gives Harold a love potion to put into Fiona's tea. This exchange is overheard by Shrek, Donkey, and Puss, who are arrested by the royal knights after Donkey inadvertently exposes them. While the royal ball begins, the fairy tale creatures whom Shrek and Donkey had met during [their previous adventure](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Shrek_\(film\)) arrive at the dungeon to rescue the three of them, and they all storm the castle with the help of a monstrous living [gingerbread man](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Gingerbread_man) created by the [Muffin Man](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Muffin_Man). Charming kisses Fiona, but instead of falling in love, she knocks him out; Harold reveals that he swapped Fiona's tea that has the love potion with another tea. The now-enraged Fairy Godmother tries to kill Shrek with her [magic wand](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Magic_wand), but Harold jumps in front of it, reverting into [the Frog Prince](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/The_Frog_Prince); the spell ricochets off his armor and evaporates her into bubbles. With the Fairy Godmother gone, Harold apologizes, admitting to using the "Happily Ever After" potion years earlier to gain Lillian's love, and approves Shrek and Fiona's marriage, while Lillian assures Harold that she still loves him. As the clock strikes midnight, Fiona rejects Shrek's offer to remain human, and they revert into ogres, while Donkey also returns to normal. In the [mid-credits scene](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Mid-credits_scene), [Dragon](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Dragon_\(Shrek\)), who had previously married Donkey, reveals that they now have several dragon-donkey [hybrid](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Hybrid_\(biology\)) babies. **Voice cast** -------------- **Voice cast** -------------- _Main article:_ [_List of Shrek (franchise) characters_](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/List_of_Shrek_\(franchise\)_characters) * [Mike Myers](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Mike_Myers) as [Shrek](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Shrek_\(character\)) * [Eddie Murphy](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Eddie_Murphy) as [Donkey](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Donkey_\(Shrek\)) * [Cameron Diaz](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Cameron_Diaz) as [Princess Fiona](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Princess_Fiona) * [Julie Andrews](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Julie_Andrews) as [Queen Lillian](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Queen_Lillian) * [Antonio Banderas](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Antonio_Banderas) as [Puss in Boots](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Puss_in_Boots_\(Shrek\)) * [John Cleese](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/John_Cleese) as King Harold * [Rupert Everett](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Rupert_Everett) as [Prince Charming](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Prince_Charming_\(Shrek\)) * [Jennifer Saunders](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Jennifer_Saunders) as [Fairy Godmother](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Fairy_Godmother_\(Shrek\)) * [Joan Rivers](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Joan_Rivers) as Red Carpet Announcer * [Kate Thornton](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Kate_Thornton) provides the voice for the UK version * [Larry King](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Larry_King) as [Doris the Ugly Stepsister](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Doris_and_Mabel_\(Shrek\)) * [Jonathan Ross](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Jonathan_Ross) provides the voice for the UK version * [Aron Warner](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Aron_Warner) as [Big Bad Wolf](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Big_Bad_Wolf_\(Shrek\)) * [Cody Cameron](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Cody_Cameron) as: * [Pinocchio](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Pinocchio_\(Shrek\)) * [The Three Little Pigs](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/The_Three_Little_Pigs_\(Shrek\)) * [Christopher Knights](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Christopher_Knights) and [Simon J. Smith](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Simon_J._Smith) as [Three Blind Mice](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Three_Blind_Mice_\(Shrek\)) * [Conrad Vernon](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Conrad_Vernon) as: * [Gingy](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Gingerbread_Man_\(Shrek\)) * [Muffin Man](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Muffin_Man) * [Mongo](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Mongo_\(Shrek\)) * Cedric * Announcer * [Chris Miller](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Chris_Miller_\(animator\)) as Magic Mirror * [Mark Moseley](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Mark_Moseley_\(actor\)) as Dresser * Kelly Cooney as Fast Food Clerk * [Kelly Asbury](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Kelly_Asbury) as: * Page * Elf * Nobleman * Nobleman's son * [Andrew Adamson](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Andrew_Adamson) as Captain of the Guard **Cameos** * [Joan Rivers](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Joan_Rivers)' cameo as herself marked the first time that a real person had been represented on screen by the _Shrek_ animation team. Her part (though retaining her visual representation) was redubbed by presenter [Kate Thornton](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Kate_Thornton) for the United Kingdom release. * [Simon Cowell](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Simon_Cowell) appears as himself on _Far Far Away Idol_, a parody of [_American Idol_](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/American_Idol), on the DVD special features and just before the credits on the U.S. VHS edition (see Home Media). **Production** -------------- In 2001, soon after the original _Shrek_ proved to be a hit, [Mike Myers](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Mike_Myers), [Eddie Murphy](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Eddie_Murphy), and [Cameron Diaz](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Cameron_Diaz) negotiated an upfront payment of $10 million each for voicing a sequel to the film. This pay increase represented a significant rise from the $350,000 salary that each of the three were paid for the first film. According to [Jeffrey Katzenberg](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Jeffrey_Katzenberg), the executive producer of _Shrek 2_ and a co-founder of [DreamWorks Pictures](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/DreamWorks_Pictures), who led the negotiations, the payments were probably the highest in the actors' entire careers. Each of the actors were expected to work between 15 and 18 hours in total. The film was produced with a $70 million budget. [Ted Elliott](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Ted_Elliott_\(screenwriter\)) and [Terry Rossio](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Terry_Rossio), the screenwriters of the first _Shrek_ film, insisted that the sequel be a traditional fairytale, but after disagreements with the producers, they left the project and were replaced by director [Andrew Adamson](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Andrew_Adamson). His writing of _Shrek 2_ was inspired by the 1967 comedy-drama film [_Guess Who's Coming to Dinner_](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Guess_Who's_Coming_to_Dinner), and was completed with the help of the film's co-directors, [Kelly Asbury](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Kelly_Asbury) and [Conrad Vernon](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Conrad_Vernon), who spent most of the film's production duration in [Northern California](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Northern_California) while Adamson spent most of his time with the film's voice actors in [Glendale, California](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Glendale,_California). DreamWorks began production of _Shrek 2_ in 2001, before the first _Shrek_ film was completed. The studio added more human characters to the film than there were in its predecessor and improved character appearance and movement with the use of several new animation/rendering systems. In particular, [Puss in Boots](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Puss_in_Boots_\(Shrek\)) necessitated development of a whole new set of film production tools to handle the appearance of his fur, belt, and hat plume; Puss' fur especially required an upgrade to the fur shader. All of the character setup was completed in the first three years of production. In an early version of _Shrek 2_, Shrek abdicated the throne, and called for a fairy tale election. Pinocchio's campaign was an "honesty" campaign, while Gingy's was a "smear" campaign. Adamson said that although this plot did have many funny ideas, it was also too overtly satiric and political, and considered "more intellectual than emotional". _Shrek 2_ also appears much darker in terms of lighting when compared to the original film. Designers reportedly took inspiration from 19th century French illustrator and engraver [Gustav Doré](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Gustave_Dor%C3%A9) to improve the film's richness of detail and setting. According to production designer Guillaume Aretos, "There are a lot of medieval paintings and illustrations \[and\] my own influences, which are classical paintings from the 15th and 16th centuries...The design of Shrek is always a twist on reality anyway, so we tried to \[pack\] as much detail and interest as we could in the imagery." **Soundtrack** -------------- _Main article:_ [_List of songs featured in Shrek 2_](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/List_of_songs_featured_in_Shrek#Shrek_2_\(2004\)) The soundtrack for _Shrek 2_ was composed solely by [Harry Gregson-Williams](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Harry_Gregson-Williams), who returned after composing the score for the first _Shrek_ film, marking it as his fifth collaboration with DreamWorks Animation, following [_Antz_](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Antz) (1998), [_Chicken Run_](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Chicken_Run) (2000) _Shrek_ (2001), and [_Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas_](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Sinbad:_Legend_of_the_Seven_Seas) (2003). The soundtrack reached the 8th position on the US [_Billboard_ 200](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Billboard_200) and 1st on the US [Soundtracks](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Top_Soundtracks) ([_Billboard_](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Billboard_\(magazine\))). It also features two versions of the 1980s [Bonnie Tyler](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Bonnie_Tyler) hit "[Holding Out for a Hero](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Holding_Out_for_a_Hero)". **Release** ----------- In April 2004, the film was selected to compete for the [Palme d'Or](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Palme_d'Or) at the [2004 Cannes Film Festival](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/2004_Cannes_Film_Festival). _Shrek 2_ was originally scheduled for release on June 18, 2004. The film was then moved forward from June 18, 2004, to May 21, 2004; however, due to "fan demand", it was released two days earlier from May 21, 2004, to May 19, 2004. A day before the film went to theaters, the first five minutes were shown on [Nickelodeon](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Nickelodeon)'s [_U-Pick Live_](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/U-Pick_Live). Playing in 4,163 theaters over its first weekend in the United States, _Shrek 2_ was the first film with over 4,000 theaters in overall count. Over 3,700 theaters was its count for an opening day. In July 2014, the film's distribution rights were purchased by [DreamWorks Animation](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/DreamWorks_Animation) from [Paramount Pictures](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Paramount_Pictures) (owners of the pre-2005 DreamWorks Pictures catalog) and transferred to [20th Century Fox](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/20th_Century_Fox) before reverting to [Universal Studios](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Universal_Pictures) in 2018. ### **Home media** _Shrek 2_ was released on [VHS](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/VHS) and [DVD](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/DVD) on November 5, 2004 and on [Game Boy Advance Video](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Game_Boy_Advance_Video) on November 17, 2005. It became one of the best-selling DVD releases of all time with over 37 million copies being sold. A 3D-converted version of the film was released exclusively with select Samsung television sets on [Blu-ray](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Blu-ray) on December 1, 2010, along with the other three films of the series. A non-3D version was released on December 7, 2010, as part of _Shrek: The Whole Story_, and a stand-alone Blu-ray/DVD combo pack was released individually on August 30, 2011, along with the other two films of the series. A stand-alone 3D Blu-ray version of the film was released on November 1, 2011. The DVD release features two full-length commentary tracks, one by co-directors [Conrad Vernon](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Conrad_Vernon) and [Kelly Asbury](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Kelly_Asbury), and a second by producer [Aron Warner](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Aron_Warner) and editor Michael Andrews. _Shrek 2_ was released on [Ultra HD Blu-ray](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Ultra_HD_Blu-ray) on November 22, 2022, by [Universal Pictures Home Entertainment](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Universal_Pictures_Home_Entertainment). #### **_Far Far Away Idol_** _See also:_ [_List of songs featured in Far Far Away Idol_](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/List_of_songs_featured_in_Shrek#Songs_from_Far_Far_Away_Idol) _Far Far Away Idol_ is a special feature on the DVD and VHS release based on [_American Idol_](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/American_Idol) and guest starring [Simon Cowell](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Simon_Cowell). Taking place right after _Shrek 2_ ends, the short features characters from _Shrek_ compete in a sing-off while being judged by Shrek, Fiona, and Cowell. After the performances, on the DVD release, the viewer gets to pick the winner. If any character besides Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, or Puss is selected, an alternate ending plays where Cowell would refuse to accept the winner and proclaim himself the victor, leaping onto the judging table and performing his "own" rendition of "[My Way](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/My_Way_\(song\))". At the end of the VHS release, it gives a link to a website where the viewer can vote for their favorite to determine the ultimate winner. DreamWorks Animation announced on November 8, 2004, three days after the DVD and VHS release, that with 750,000 votes cast, the "winner" of the competition was Doris. **Reception** ------------- ### **Box office** The film opened at No. 1 with a Friday-to-Sunday total of $108 million, and $129 million since its Wednesday launch, from a then-record 4,163 theaters, for an average of $25,952 per theater over the weekend. At the time _Shrek 2_'s Friday-to-Sunday total was the second-highest opening weekend, only trailing [_Spider-Man_](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Spider-Man_\(2002_film\))'s $114.8 million. In addition, Saturday alone managed to obtain $44.8 million, making it the highest single-day gross at the time, beating _Spider-Man_'s first Saturday gross of $43.6 million. The film remained at No. 1 in its second weekend, expanding to 4,223 theaters, and grossing another $95.6 million over the four-day Memorial Day weekend, narrowly beating out the $85.8 million four-day tally of new opener [_The Day After Tomorrow_](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/The_Day_After_Tomorrow). It spent ten weeks in the weekly Top 10, remaining there until July 29, and stayed in theaters for 149 days (roughly twenty-one weeks), closing on November 25, 2004. The film was released in the [United Kingdom](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/United_Kingdom) on July 2, 2004, and topped the country's box office for the next two weekends, before being dethroned by [_Spider-Man 2_](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Spider-Man_2). The film grossed $441.2 million domestically (US and Canada) and $487.5 million in foreign markets for a total of $935.3 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film of both 2004 and in its franchise. This also puts the film at [14th](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/List_of_highest-grossing_films_in_Canada_and_the_United_States) on the all-time domestic box office list and [42nd](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/List_of_highest-grossing_films) on the worldwide box office list. The film sold an estimated 71,050,900 tickets in the US. The film also took away the highest worldwide gross made by an animated feature, which was before held by [_Finding Nemo_](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Finding_Nemo) (2003), although the latter still had a higher overseas-only gross. With [DVD](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/DVD) sales and _Shrek 2_ merchandise estimated to total almost $800 million, the film (which was produced with a budget of $150 million) is [DreamWorks](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/DreamWorks_Pictures)' most profitable film to date. _Shrek 2_ remained the highest-grossing animated film worldwide until the release of [_Toy Story 3_](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Toy_Story_3) (2010), and held the record for the highest-grossing animated film at the North American box office until the release of [_Finding Dory_](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Finding_Dory) (2016) as well as the highest-grossing non-Disney animated film at this box office until the release of [The Super Mario Bros. Movie](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/The_Super_Mario_Bros._Movie) in 2023. ### **Critical response** _Shrek 2_ has an approval rating of 89% based on 239 professional reviews on the [review aggregator](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Review_aggregator) website [Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Rotten_Tomatoes), with an average rating of 7.7/10. Its critical consensus reads, "It may not be as fresh as the original, but topical humor and colorful secondary characters make _Shrek 2_ a winner in its own right." [Metacritic](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Metacritic) (which uses a weighted average) assigned _Shrek 2_ a score of 75 out of 100 based on 40 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". Audiences polled by [CinemaScore](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/CinemaScore) gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale. [Roger Ebert](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Roger_Ebert) gave the film three out of four stars, saying it is "bright, lively, and entertaining", and Robert Denerstein of _Denver Rocky Mountain News_ called it "sharply funny". James Kendrick of _QNetwork_ praised the plot, calling it "familiar, but funny". J. R. Jones of the [_Chicago Reader_](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Chicago_Reader) called it "unassailable family entertainment", and similar to the first film. Michael O'Sullivan of [_The Washington Post_](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/The_Washington_Post) called it "better and funnier than the original". Though he wrote that it is not as good as the first film, Kevin Lally of [_Film Journal International_](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Film_Journal_International) described it as "inventive and often very funny". Peter Rainer of [_New York_](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/New_York_\(magazine\)) magazine, however, stated the film "manages to undo much of what made its predecessor such a computer-generated joy ride." Sean Naughton of [_Complex_](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Complex_\(magazine\)) described it as "one of the best-animated sequels ever". ### **Accolades** _Shrek 2_ was nominated for the [Palme d'Or](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Palme_d'Or) at the [2004 Cannes Film Festival](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/2004_Cannes_Film_Festival). It won five awards at the [31st People's Choice Awards](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/31st_People's_Choice_Awards): _Favorite Animated Movie_, _Favorite Animated Movie Star_ for "Donkey" ([Eddie Murphy](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Eddie_Murphy)), _Favorite Movie Comedy_, and _Favorite Movie Villain_ for "Fairy Godmother" ([Jennifer Saunders](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Jennifer_Saunders)), and _Favorite Sequel_. It also won a [Teen Choice Award](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Teen_Choice_Award) in the category of _Choice Award Choice Movie – Comedy_. The film was nominated at the [3rd Visual Effects Society Awards](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/3rd_Visual_Effects_Society_Awards) in the category of "Outstanding Performance by an Animated Character in an Animated Motion Picture." Along with [_Shark Tale_](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Shark_Tale), the film was nominated for the [Academy Award for Best Animated Feature](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Academy_Award_for_Best_Animated_Feature), but lost to [_The Incredibles_](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/The_Incredibles). One of the film's songs, "[Accidentally in Love](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Accidentally_in_Love_\(song\))" received nominations for the [Academy Award for Best Original Song](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Academy_Award_for_Best_Original_Song), [Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Golden_Globe_Award_for_Best_Original_Song), and the [Grammy Award for Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Grammy_Award_for_Best_Song_Written_for_a_Motion_Picture,_Television_or_Other_Visual_Media). In 2008, the [American Film Institute](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/American_Film_Institute) nominated the film for its [Top 10 Animation Films list](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/AFI's_10_Top_10). --- *Originally published on [Untitled](https://paragraph.com/@0xc6e2c380db7404e44671a12376bb0b6732aeb7b8/shrek-2)*