Shrek Ranks as Worldwide Streaming Hit on Netflix

John Lithgow is a versatile actor who takes on roles across all movie genres, including animated films. He stars in Shrek as the voice of Lord Farquaad. The movie features a handpicked cast that helped make the release a hit and keeps fans returning 25 years later. The feature has also become a streaming success worldwide. According to Netflix, the film reached the top of the charts and ranked among the five most-watched movies for the month.

DreamWorks released the fairy tale movie Shrek in theaters back in 2001. The story included a princess, dragons, fairies, ogres, and a talking donkey. Alongside traditional children’s fantasy elements, the production included subtle innuendos, pop culture references, and jokes aimed at adults. The project appealed to both younger and older viewers.

Mike Myers brought back the Scottish accent that he previously used for Fat Bastard in Austin Powers to voice Shrek. Cameron Diaz portrayed Princess Fiona, while comedy legend Eddie Murphy voiced Donkey. John Lithgow took on the role of the detestable Lord Farquaad, a cowardly villain.

Shrek reaches Global Top 5 on Netflix

Over time, Shrek maintained its cultural footprint through memes and nostalgia. In 2026, the movie celebrated its 25th anniversary and returned to theaters. It is available on Netflix alongside other films in the franchise. According to Netflix’s Global Top 10 Movies list, Shrek gained strong viewership in September. It started the month as the fifth most-watched movie on the platform and stayed in the Top 10 the following week.

While October charts typically shift toward horror movies, subscribers recently favored the classic comedy. Viewers who missed the theatrical re-release can watch the film on streaming platforms. Audiences can also anticipate the release of Shrek 5 in theaters on Jun. 30, 2027.

Source: Polygon