Universal and DreamWorks set theatrical release for Eddie Murphy’s “Donkey” film in 2028

Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation have set a new theatrical release date for “Donkey,” a spinoff connected to the “Shrek” franchise and tied to Eddie Murphy’s role as the character’s popular voice. The companies announced that the film will open in theaters on Friday, June 30, 2028.

The new title and date expand the “Shrek” universe beyond its main storyline, with “Donkey” positioned as an origin story focused on how the donkey character developed before the events associated with the broader franchise. Deadline reported that the project centers on backstory rather than a direct continuation of the existing “Shrek” plotlines.

Deadline said the film’s existence and development were first publicly raised by Murphy during the press tour for “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley.” On that promotional circuit, Murphy discussed the prospect of a “Donkey” movie, giving audiences an early preview that the spinoff was moving forward toward a larger release plan.

This week’s announcement formalizes those earlier comments into a dated studio schedule. The release is set for a specific Friday opening, a common format for major family and animated releases, with Universal Pictures as the film’s theatrical distributor.

For viewers and industry observers, the timing places “Donkey” at a summer slot nearly two years out from the announcement, a window typically associated with higher theater attendance and family viewing. It also indicates that DreamWorks and Universal are continuing to invest in franchise-linked animation projects built around recognizable celebrity casting and established audience familiarity.

While the announcement confirms the release date, it does not provide additional details in the reporting summarized here, such as the rest of the cast, the production’s completion timeline, or whether the project will draw from any specific “Shrek” installment. The next meaningful public step will likely be further casting and creative updates as the film moves closer to production milestones.

The announcement also adds another high-profile animated project to Universal Pictures’ 2028 theatrical planning, reinforcing the studio’s reliance on major-brand entertainment geared toward broad audiences. If the origin-story framing holds, “Donkey” could serve as a foundational entry point for new viewers who have not followed the full “Shrek” arc, while still anchoring the story around the character associated with Murphy’s voice work.