Fantasy Films to Watch If You Loved Shrek the Third

Description: A groundbreaking animated film that combines humor, adventure, and heartfelt themes about friendship and belonging.

Fact: It was the first feature-length film entirely created using CGI. The film was initially intended to be a holiday special before evolving into a full-length movie.

Description: Expands on the original's themes with a deeper exploration of identity and purpose, while keeping the playful tone and adventurous spirit.

Fact: The film was originally planned as a direct-to-video release but was upgraded to a theatrical release due to its high quality. A near-disaster occurred when an animator accidentally deleted the entire film's files, but they were recovered thanks to a backup.

Description: A fairy tale parody with a mix of humor, adventure, and heart, featuring an unlikely hero in a fantastical world.

Fact: The film was the first to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. It was initially conceived as a much darker story before being reworked into a comedy.

Description: A heartwarming story set in a unique world where monsters have their own society, blending humor, adventure, and emotional depth.

Fact: The film's concept was originally much darker, with monsters harvesting children's screams as a power source. It was Pixar's fourth feature film.

Description: Continues the blend of satire, fairy tale elements, and modern humor, with deeper character development and new fantastical settings.

Fact: The film introduced the character Puss in Boots, who became so popular he got his own spin-off movies. It was the highest-grossing animated film at the time of its release.

Description: A poignant conclusion to the trilogy that tackles themes of growing up and letting go, while still delivering the series' trademark humor and excitement.

Fact: The film was the first animated sequel to gross over $1 billion worldwide. It won two Academy Awards, including Best Animated Feature.

Description: A spin-off focusing on a fan-favorite character, combining swashbuckling adventure with fairy tale parody and a charismatic lead.

Fact: The film was in development for several years before its release. It features a unique animation style that blends traditional and CGI techniques.

Description: Explores themes of self-worth and the importance of family through an alternate reality storyline, maintaining the series' signature humor and fantasy elements.

Fact: This was marketed as the final chapter in the Shrek series. It was the first animated film to be released in IMAX 3D.

Description: A prequel that explores friendship and self-discovery in a university setting, maintaining the original's humor and imaginative world-building.

Fact: This was Pixar's first prequel film. The animators visited real universities to capture the look and feel of campus life.

Description: A visually stunning sequel that delves into deeper themes of mortality and legacy, while retaining the humor and charm of the original.

Fact: The film was praised for its innovative animation style, inspired by storybook illustrations. It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.