2 Animated Franchises Returning In 2026 After A 10-Year Hiatus

After a decade, two beloved animated franchises are making a grand return.

Shrek and Ice Age have captured audiences for decades with their humor, heart, and memorable characters. Now, after over a decade since their last main installments, both films are set to hit the big screen once again, bringing back fan-favorite characters and introducing new adventures. Both films mark significant comebacks for their franchises. Seeing as their release dates are less than a week apart, the competition will be high. 

Shrek 5

Shrek 5 is officially set to release on December 23, 2026. The film will see the return of its legendary voice cast, including Mike Myers as Shrek, Eddie Murphy as Donkey, and Cameron Diaz as Princess Fiona. A fresh addition to the cast is Zendaya, who will voice Felicia, one of Shrek and Fiona’s triplets. While the plot details remain under wraps, I’m speculating that Felicia may take center stage in this story, embarking on her own adventure while introducing new magical elements to the franchise. A teaser trailer was released with some negative feedback from fans. There is criticism on how the characters look, especially Fiona. Given the enduring love for the original films, expectations are high for this long-awaited sequel. 

Ice Age 6

Ice Age 6 is also gearing up for its return, expected to be released on December 18, 2026. Fans will be delighted to see the return of the original cast, including Ray Romano as Manny, John Leguizamo as Sid, Queen Latifah as Ellie, Denis Leary as Diego, and Simon Pegg as Buck. While the specific storyline has yet to be revealed, the return of these beloved characters hints at another fun-filled journey with the herd. Given that the last main installment was released in 2016, this sequel promises to reignite nostalgia while appealing to a new generation of viewers.