The 15 Best Shrek Characters
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- Photo: Shrek / DreamWorks
The peanut butter to Shrek's jelly, Donkey is the lovable partner in crime and the complete opposite of the titular characters in every way imaginable. A loving, caring, high-energy, and often side-splittingly funny staple in the series, Donkey has been the premiere sidekick in not only animation but in films as a whole! With some of the most memorable lines in the franchise and some of the most heartwarming moments to boot, Donkey is a beacon of all that is right in the world of Shrek.
This’ll be fun. We’ll stay up late, swapping manly stories, and in the morning… I’m making waffles!
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- Photo: Puss in Boots: The Last Wish / DreamWorks
Filled to the brim with confidence, bravado, and bravery, Puss in Boots was introduced to the Shrek franchise in the second installment, and immediately became a fan favorite and one of the most important characters in all of animation. His flirtatious demeanor with excellent swordsmanship makes him come off as the best adaptation of Zoro for children ever put to screen, and he was so beloved, he even got his very own spin-off series. Puss in Boots was the first character introduced to show that the world of Shrek was not what we thought, and was only going to get bigger and better from then on out.
My thirst for adventure will never be quenched!
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- Photo: Shrek / DreamWorks
The titular character for the Shrek franchise and pop culture icon, Shrek is the curmudgeonly old ogre with a heart of gold. One of the biggest staples in animation history, Shrek has found an audience that loves and adores him for exactly who he is. He may not be the most admirable or lovable at times, but Shrek is shockingly human for an ogre, and his flaws have helped him resonate with audiences for the past decade, as we all have a little bit of Shrek in us from time to time, but just like him, our good always shines through.
After a while you learn to ignore the names people call you and just trust who you are.
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- Photo: Shrek / DreamWorks
The Gingerbread Man was the first in a long line of incredible supporting characters introduced in the Shrek franchise. While he may never have the biggest roles in any of the films he appears in, Gingy always manages to make his presence known with his rebellious attitude and snarky one-liners. The perfect mix of sass, confidence, and conviction, Gingy always stands up for what he believes in, no matter what the potentially devastating consequences could be.
The only thing you're gonna be king of is King of the Stupides!
- Photo: Shrek the Third / DreamWorks5
The Three Little Pigs
Three of the premiere side characters in each and every Shrek film, The Three Little Pigs often offer up hilarious one-liners, subvert audience expectations by being friends with the Big Bad Wolf, and are always willing, ready, and able to help Shrek whenever the time comes. The Three Little Pigs are inseparable and never seen on screen away from each other, and while they often have very little impact on the main story, they always manage to get into fun hijinx and provide wonderful entertainment for the kids in the audience.
We ate the cake… we ate the other cake… we have lollipops. No I ate them. What you didn't share?!
- Photo: Shrek 2 / DreamWorks
While her story may seem ordinary, a princess locked away in a tower awaiting her prince charming, Princess Fiona is anything but, as she defies any and all expectations of what a “Princess” could, or should, be, and is unapologetically herself. Arguably the most relatable and normal character in the Shrek franchise, Fiona is often the voice of reason and intelligence, while never being a pushover. Just as Shrek does, audiences fall in love with Fiona for her ability to be comfortable in her own skin, and not let anyone tell her what she can't do.
Well, maybe you shouldn't judge people before you get to know them.
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- Photo: Shrek 2 / DreamWorks7
Doris
The local bartender of The Poison Apple, Doris made a striking first impression on audiences in Shrek 2 thanks to her incredibly masculine appearance, deep voice, and heavily caked-on makeup. Doris may have been played for jokes when she was first introduced into the franchise, but slowly she grew to become not only one of Fiona's closest friends in the films, but as one of the most beloved and recognizable characters in the franchise as a whole! Unabashedly herself, Doris doesn't care what the world thinks, and this is something many audience members love and choose to embrace themselves.
I know he's a jerk and everything, but I gotta admit, that Charming makes me hotter than july.
- Photo: Shrek / DreamWorks8
Dragon
Like all fairytales, Shrek of course has a Dragon in it, but this being the Shrek franchise, of course, it is unlike any other fairy tale dragon. While she doesn't technically have a single line of dialog in any of the films, Dragon manages to be a flirtatious and lovable character and the love interest of Donkey. Dragon is always there to help out her steed and his friends whenever they need it, and she even became a mother, giving birth to some truly bizarre but adorable dragon/donkey hybrid babies.
Roar!
- Photo: Shrek the Third / DreamWorks
When Pinocchio was first introduced to the Shrek franchise, he has very little substance or real impact on the story, as he was merely seen as a run-on joke about his ever-growing nose. While he did have the occasional great jokes, it wasn't until the third installment that this beloved character truly got his opportunity to shine. Written to finally understand how to get out of lying, Pinocchio provided some of the best and most hilarious lines the ladder entries in the franchise would have, including his incredibly long and ridiculous explanation of where Shrek could or couldn't be to Prince Charming.
It wouldn't be inaccurate to assume that I couldn't exactly not say that it is or isn't almost partially incorrect.
- Photo: Shrek / DreamWorks
While Lord Farquaad may only appear as the main antagonist in the first Shrek film, there is no doubt about the massive and powerful impact his character had on the franchise. Brash, cocky, and pompous to a fault Lord Farquaad is arguably the most hilarious and quick-witted character adults have ever seen in animation, and one of the most bizarre and confusing for children. Farquaad is undoubtedly what helped separate Shrek from animated children's movies, as his adult and at times completely inappropriate humor made him a giant in the world of animation, even if his actual size is anything but giant.
Some of you may die, but that is a sacrafice I am willing to make.
- Photo: Shrek the Third / DreamWorks
Often bumbling, sniffling, and crying to get his way, Prince Charming was the perfect secondary antagonist for the Shrek franchise as he is the complete antithesis of everything fans loved from the films. Who was supposed to be a knight in shining armor, Prince Charming is what many characters in this franchise are, flipped on their head and made to be the things audiences would least expect. While he often came off pretentious and snotty, there is no doubt the Charming had his, well, charm to him, as he would often have some of the most untimely hilarious moments and scenes that would leave audiences side's splitting.
This was supposed to be *my* Happily Ever After!
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- Photo: Shrek 2 / DreamWorks
Widely considered to be one of the greatest villains in animation history, Fairy Godmother was a ruthless, brutal, and hilarious antagonist in Shrek 2 who showed how dangerous a charismatic woman with a plan could be. From her masterful performance of “I Need a Hero” to her hilarious one-liners to her harsher-than-harsh words, Fairy Godmother oozes maniacal charisma in every scene she is in and while audiences hate her for how evil she is, they can't help but love her for how bad she can be.
Your fallen tears have come to me, so here comes my sweet remedy, I know what every princess needs, for her to live happily...
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- Photo: Shrek 2 / DreamWorks
Always calm and in control, Queen Lillian is the devoted and beloved queen of Far Far Away in the Shrek franchise, and seemingly the complete opposite of her husband. Queen Lillian welcomes Shrek in with open arms the first time she meets him, and this is the epitome of exactly the type of character she is. Warm, royal, and giving, Queen Lillian may not have the biggest roles in any of the Shrek films, but she always manages to stand out and be the beacon of all that is right in the world of Shrek.
You're more that man today than you ever were, warts and all.
- Photo: Shrek Forever After / DreamWorks
The main antagonist of Shrek Forever After and one of the most forgotten characters in all of the Shrek universe, Rumplestiltskin is arguably the best pure villain the Shrek franchise has ever produced. He is nowhere near as beloved or iconic as The Fairy Godmother, but Rumpelstiltskin is arguably the evilest out of any characters Shrek has ever gone up against. His brilliance and conniving nature make him a terrifying threat even when he is not on the screen, as audiences know he is always plotting and coming up with his next diabolical plan.
But Fiona isn't technically an ogre is she? Nobodies smart but me!
- Photo: Shrek 2 / DreamWorks
One of the most wonderfully realistic characters in the Shrek franchise, King Harold is simply an overprotective father who wants nothing but the best life for his daughter. King Harold is simultaneously cruel and caring throughout Shrek 2, and while other characters would have been incredibly easy to despise in this role, Harold shows that he is not the monster the audiences think he is, he is simply human and has made mistakes in his past, mistakes he is still attempting to amend throughout the film.
People change for the ones they love. You'd be surprised how much I changed for your mother.
