Shrek
DreamWorks Distribution | Release Date: May 18, 2001 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
84
METASCORE
Universal acclaim based on 34 Critic Reviews
Positive:
31
Mixed:
3
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
100
Washington PostStephen Hunter
It's wondrous, it's fabulous, it's -- all but unprecedented. Read full review
100
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
This is not your average family cartoon. Shrek is jolly and wicked, filled with sly in-jokes and yet somehow possessing a heart. Read full review
100
Washington PostDesson Thomson
A movie that appeals to the eye, mind, heart and funny bone; that's a pretty good quadruple for any movie. Read full review
100
USA TodaySusan Wloszczyna
A riotous and wee bit PG-racy computer-animated family fable, is the most thoroughly enjoyable cartoon feature since "Toy Story" burst out of its box. Read full review
100
New York Daily NewsJami Bernard
An adorable, infectious work of true sophistication. Read full review
100
NewsweekDavid Ansen
Hilarious and captivating.
100
New York PostLou Lumenick
An unqualified triumph. Read full review
100
Philadelphia InquirerDesmond Ryan
The humor of the script constantly confounds expectations, and yet Shrek still manages to say all the right things to children.
100
Mr. ShowbizCody Clark
What sells Shrek is ultimately the full-bodied personality of its characters.
91
Entertainment WeeklyLisa Schwarzbaum
Lives happily ever after because it's such a feisty but good natured embrace of the inner ogre in everyone. Read full review
91
Portland OregonianKim Morgan
Funny, irreverent and moving, the unconventional Shrek may mock fairy tales, but in the process, creates its own. Read full review
90
New York Magazine (Vulture)Peter Rainer
The script, instead of being what we tolerate in order to savor the visuals, is a delight all by itself. Read full review
90
Chicago ReaderLisa Alspector
A movie whose story may be even more innovative than the superreal solidity of the animated characters. Read full review
90
Wall Street JournalJoe Morgenstern
This beguiling fable, with its darkly distinctive look, does DreamWorks proud.
90
Rolling StonePeter Travers
A world-class charmer that could even seduce the Academy when it hands out the first official animation Oscar next year. Read full review
90
Los Angeles TimesKenneth Turan
This fractured fairy tale not only knows there's no substitute for clever writing, it also has the confidence to take that information straight to the bank. Read full review
90
TimeRichard Schickel
It is the hilarious business of Shrek, a delightful new animated feature based on the William Steig book, to subvert all the well-worn expectations of its genre.
88
Baltimore SunMichael Sragow
A computer-animated burlesque fairy tale that generates more belly laughs than any live-action comedy since "Best in Show."
88
Charlotte ObserverLawrence Toppman
It's possible to groan, chuckle, wince and be moist-eyed, sometimes in a span of seven or eight minutes. Read full review
80
Film.comSean Means
The textures are detailed, the movements are realistic and the three-dimensional feel even improves on the humor -- you may think you've seen every good "Matrix" parody, but you haven't until you see this. Read full review
80
L.A. WeeklyPaul Malcolm
Shrek's first 20 minutes are so devilishly funny that letting go of pure belief doesn't seem like such a bad thing. Read full review
80
TV Guide MagazineFrank Lovece
Colossally entertaining. Read full review
80
The New York TimesA.O. Scott
A giggly cocktail, though it's more foam than drink. Read full review
78
Austin ChronicleMarc Savlov
Charmingly subversive animation like this is a rare thing indeed, and the fact that you don't have to be under 10 years of age to thoroughly enjoy Mr. Shrek's wild ride is an added bonus. Read full review
75
San Francisco ChronicleMick LaSalle
As innocent as a Disney movie -- and a lot more entertaining. Read full review
75
Seattle Post-IntelligencerPaula Nechak
While Shrek may trek into that dark territory and has some questionable values simmering beneath the surface, its characters are delightful enough and the film is just sweet-natured and visually sophiscated enough to avoid sinking into the swamp. Read full review
75
Miami HeraldRene Rodriguez
The first of this summer's would-be blockbusters that deserves to be a hit.
75
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
The visuals are amazingly realistic, filling the screen with authentic effects. Read full review
75
Boston GlobeJay Carr
Suggests a summit meeting between ''The Princess Bride'' and ''Bridget Jones's Diary,'' it has a decided charm of its own.
70
VarietyTodd McCarthy
This spirited and often very funny lark accomplishes something that most films in the bygone Hollywood studio era used to do but is remarkably rare in today's world of niche markets: It offers entertainment equally to viewers from 4 to 104. Read full review
63
Chicago TribuneMark Caro
Alternately sweet and mean, sophisticated and vulgar, witty and base, dazzling and ugly, charming and charmless. Read full review
60
SalonStephanie Zacharek
Am I alone in thinking that computer animation is the work of the antichrist? Read full review
40
Village VoiceMichael Atkinson
Desperately avoiding the risk of even a half-second of boredom, the movie is wall-to-window-to-door noise, babbling, and jokes. Read full review
40
New Times (L.A.)Robert Wilonsky
Shrek isn't clever or smart. It just wants you to think it is, through wink after wink after wink. Read full review
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