Shrek the Third

Shrek the Third (also known as Shrek 3) is a 2007 American animated fantasy comedy film loosely based on the 1990 children's picture book Shrek! by William Steig. Directed by Chris Miller and co-directed by Raman Hui from a screenplay by Jeffrey Price, Peter S. Seaman, Miller, and producer Aron Warner, and a story conceived by Andrew Adamson, co-director of the previous two installments, it is the sequel to Shrek 2 (2004) and the third installment in the Shrek film series. The film features Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, Rupert Everett, Julie Andrews, and John Cleese reprising their voice roles from the previous films, along with new additions Justin Timberlake as Arthur Pendragon and Eric Idle as Merlin. In the film, Prince Charming is plotting to overthrow Shrek and Fiona, who have inherited the throne following King Harold's death. Shrek has no interest in ruling the kingdom and attempts to convince Fiona's underachieving 16-year-old cousin Artie to reign instead.

Shrek the Third premiered at the Mann Village Theatre, Westwood in Los Angeles on May 6, 2007, and was theatrically released in the United States by Paramount Pictures on May 18, 2007. Despite mixed reviews, the film was a commercial success, grossing $808.3 million worldwide on a budget of $160 million, becoming the fourth-highest-grossing film of 2007. It was nominated for Best Animated Film at the 61st British Academy Film Awards. A sequel, Shrek Forever After, was released on May 21, 2010.

Shrek and Princess Fiona are to succeed King Harold, but Shrek's attempts to serve as the Regent during Harold's medical absence end in disaster, because he is not interested in being king of Far, Far Away. With his dying breath, Harold tells Shrek of another heir: his nephew and Fiona's cousin, Arthur "Artie" Pendragon. Meanwhile, Prince Charming vows to avenge the death of his mother, the Fairy Godmother, and become king. He goes to the Poison Apple tavern and persuades the fairy tale villains to fight for their "happily ever after", and help him take over Far Far Away.

Shrek sets out to retrieve Artie, with help from his two best friends, Donkey, and Puss in Boots. As they sail away, Fiona reveals to Shrek that she is pregnant, much to Shrek's horror, because he believes he is incapable of raising children causing him to have a nightmare. The trio journey to Worcestershire Academy, an elite magical boarding school, where they discover that Artie is actually a scrawny, 16-year-old outcast.

At the school pep rally, Shrek tells Artie he has been chosen to be king of Far, Far Away. He is excited until Donkey and Puss inadvertently frighten him while discussing the king's responsibilities. Losing confidence, Artie tries to take control of the ship and steer it back to Worcestershire. Following a scuffle with Shrek, the ship crashes on a remote island. There, they encounter Artie's retired magic teacher, Merlin, who convinces the two to open up to each other.

Meanwhile, as Fiona and Queen Lillian host a baby shower with a group of princesses, Charming and the villains attack the castle. Gingy, Pinocchio, the Big Bad Wolf, and the Three Little Pigs stall Charming's group long enough for the ladies to escape. When one of the pigs accidentally reveals that Shrek has gone to retrieve Artie, Charming sends Captain Hook and his pirates to track them down. Meanwhile, Rapunzel, having fallen in love with Charming, betrays Fiona, and the ladies are locked in the castle dungeons.

Captain Hook and his pirates catch up to Shrek on Merlin's island, where Shrek avoids capture, and Hook reveals Charming's takeover of Far, Far Away. Shrek urges Artie to return to Worcestershire, so Artie tricks Merlin into using his magic to send them to Far Far Away. Although the spell works, it accidentally causes Puss and Donkey to switch bodies. They find Pinocchio and learn that Charming plans to kill Shrek as part of a play, but they are caught and taken captive after breaking into the castle.

Charming prepares to kill Artie to retain the crown, but Shrek saves his life by admitting that he was just using Artie to replace him as the next king. Charming allows a disheartened Artie to leave. Donkey and Puss are imprisoned with Fiona, Lillian and the other princesses, where Fiona grows frustrated with their lack of initiative, but Lillian frees them all by headbutting an opening in the stone wall of the prison. While the princesses launch a rescue mission for Shrek, Donkey and Puss free Gingy, Pinocchio, and the others along with Dragon and Donkey's children, and then convince a leaving Artie that Shrek lied to save his life.