Shrek Turns 20: An Interview With Director Vicky Jenson On May 18th, 2001, DreamWorks released Shrek into theaters across the country and changed the status quo for animation. Believe it or not, Shrek is now 20 years old. LaMelo Ball, the rookie leader of the surprising Charlotte Hornets NBA franchise on the verge of the playoffs, wasn't born until three months after Shrek made its debut. The point is, this is a film that has been around for two decades now, and it has occupied every corner of the pop culture landscape in that span. Shrek spawned three direct sequels (two of which aren't very good) and a spinoff movie (which is very good). There was a full stage musical. The ogre at the center of the film is one of the most central figures in all of meme culture. Hell, there were even NASCAR partnerships that saw Shrek and Donkey on the hoods of racecars driven by Hall of Famers Tony Stewart and Bobby Labonte.