20 years on, why does Gen Z still love Shrek 2 so much?
Ogre-themed raves, tattoos and listening parties reveal the appetite for the swamp is bigger than ever
Ogre-themed raves, tattoos and listening parties reveal the appetite for the swamp is bigger than ever
From where I’m standing, it’d be hard to miss the fact that April marks 20 years since the release of Shrek 2, (arguably) the best sequel of all time, contending only with Paddington 2. Some major cinemas in the UK are re-releasing the movie to celebrate this anniversary, while Primark and Lush launched their own swamp-themed collections in anticipation. My flatmate and best friend Akanksha is a mega Shrek fan and bought the themed slime from Lush, “only for its green packaging”, while contemplating not one but two ogre-inspired tattoos.
Elsewhere, the WhatsApp group chat for It’s Hardback Out Here, a London-based book club, is also discussing – and shading – some members’ relentless Shrek fandom. Anniversary or not, the franchise has birthed year-round events, including a Shrek themed rave, listening club and even an Airbnb that keeps the land of Far Far Away front of mind. woo’s very own Head of Social, in fact, is attending a Shrek-themed hen do this weekend. Intrigued by young people’s commitment to the Shrek movies, I decided to peel back the layers (like an onion, if you may) of the adoration for the swamp, and especially the first sequel – like, why not 3 or 4?
Charlie, 23, a member of the IHOH book club says, “Shrek 2 is easily my favourite because it does what a well-designed sequel should do best. It evokes the joy of the original while building and expanding on the universe, and upping the quality. The soundtrack is a particular highlight, bringing music from different genres into a fairytale universe.” This sentiment echoes far and wide; the second movie ensured that fans were deeply invested not just in Shrek and Fiona’s journey but also Fairy Godmother, Donkey and Dragon.
Deep in my investigation, I spoke to Rafa, another Shrek 2 die-hard from IHOH and she explains it best: “Donkey has a special place in my heart, he is the image of a secure man – never thought I’d say this – but the way he opens up is so incredible, in a way that only Shaggy from Scooby Doo seems to have done before him. Donkey was the softboi of the Shrek generation and I’ll always stand by this.”
In fact, the swamp-themed characters have such a sway with young fans that Bristol-based tattoo artist Alice Green recently released a flash of Shrek-inspired designs, which received enormous traction on Instagram. “The movie is like my comfort blanket, I was watching it one morning recovering from a hangover and then just had to do a flash referencing it,” she says. “I love that Shrek likes Fiona for her ogre-like characteristics, as someone who grew up tomboyish and with two brothers, I felt seen and like I could be myself.”
This thread of self-love and acceptance, ushered in by a story about a green ogre, also reveals a serious lack for such content when older Gen Z were growing up. At a time when Disney princesses were an epitome of white, Euro-centric beauty, Shrek’s willingness to challenge successful and standardised tropes continues to stand out to this generation. Unlike other fairytale-like films that address their viewers as impressionable children, Shrek – laden with pop culture references like Baskin Robinhood, Farbucks, Medieval Meal and Ye Olde Footlocker – allowed pre-teens to feel clued in on the jokes.
Decades later, Shrek is still the second biggest animated film franchise and was the first animated film to win an Oscar, beating Toy Story. Evidently, the fandom – or brogres as some call them – is willing to spend their money and are deeply passionate about the series. Back in 2021, when The Guardian called Shrek an “overrated and unfunny” film, it was inundated with complaints (this Reddit thread is only one example of the furore it caused). As Rafa says, “how can anyone hate Shrek, there’s nothing to hate?” In some ways, the all-encompassing popularity of the franchise created one of the biggest original fandoms that still stand the test of time. Dare I say, the brogres walked, so the Swifties could run.
