Why LEGO is the perfect way to celebrate Shrek’s 25th anniversary

LEGO and Shrek are finally coming together in 2026, and the theme's debut is a great example of when the LEGO Group gets its timing just right.

Do you remember the first time you watched Shrek? Were you just a kid when the ogre first screamed on to screens, or were you older, catching the layers of humour going straight over younger viewers’ heads? Either way, Shrek has been a constant presence in pop culture ever since.

The endlessly quotable lines, the sharp fairy-tale parody and the unforgettable soundtrack have all helped keep the franchise alive. Even now, more than 15 years since the last film, it’s rare to go a day without seeing a meme or reference pop up somewhere. And that’s exactly why LEGO is such a strong fit for celebrating it.

With the reveal of 72423 Shrek, Donkey & Puss in Boots and 40923 Shrek, Donkey & Gingy Figures, these sets don’t feel like simple nostalgia grabs. They’re not aimed at people trying to remember why they loved Shrek, they’re for the ones who never stopped.

That’s a key difference. The original audience from the early 2000s are now adults, and that’s a fanbase the LEGO Group has been increasingly targeting in recent years (just look at 77255 Lightning McQueen). Fans who grew up with the films now have the money to buy the things they couldn’t afford as kids, and Shrek is perfect for that market because it never really went away. Between streaming, memes and constant online references, it’s remained surprisingly present for a series that hasn’t had a new instalment in over a decade. Bringing it into brick form feels like a natural extension rather than a revival.

Timing, though, is just as important, and the LEGO Group has a mixed track record when it comes to landing licensed themes at exactly the right moment. When it gets it right, it really works. The return of The Lord of the Rings, for example, lined up with renewed interest sparked by The Rings of Power, helping the theme feel relevant again rather than purely nostalgic.

But there are also times when things fall out of sync. The Minions sets are a good example. They were developed around a film cycle that was repeatedly delayed due to COVID, meaning the products and movies didn’t line up as originally planned. It’s a reminder that even major franchises can lose momentum if timing drifts too far from the wider cultural moment.

Shrek, though, avoids that problem entirely. It doesn’t need a current film to justify its relevance. Instead, the LEGO Group can anchor these sets around the 25th anniversary – a milestone that already means something to fans without needing anything else to support it.

At the same time, there’s still a forward-looking angle. With Shrek 5 expected in the summer of 2027, this also acts as a subtle pre-hype phase for the franchise’s return. The LEGO Group is not relying on the film, but will naturally benefit from the renewed attention. That puts these sets in a rare position, celebrating the past while quietly setting the stage for what comes next.

And ultimately, that’s why this new line of sets works so well. LEGO is the perfect way to celebrate Shrek’s 25th anniversary because it turns long-standing nostalgia into something tangible. It gives fans something they can build now, display, and continue to enjoy well into the future.

If you're on board the LEGO Shrek hype train already, 72423 Shrek, Donkey & Puss in Boots and 40923 Shrek, Donkey & Gingy Figures are both available to pre-order at LEGO.com now and will ship from June 1.

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