Shrek’s Brick Debut: A 25th Anniversary Built in Plastic
After decades of memes, sequels and spin-offs, the Shrek franchise is finally getting official LEGO treatment. To mark the Shrek 25th anniversary and ride the renewed buzz around a new movie, the LEGO Group and Universal have unveiled the first-ever LEGO Shrek sets: a large display model and a smaller BrickHeadz trio. Together, they kick off a Shrek LEGO collection that targets nostalgic adults as much as younger fans discovering the films for the first time. The launch aligns with LEGO’s recent push into new LEGO movie sets based on beloved animated properties, expanding a strategy already seen with Disney and other cinematic worlds. Both Shrek sets are available to pre-order now and will release through LEGO stores and LEGO.com on June 1, giving fans the chance to literally build the swamp that defined an era of irreverent fairy-tale storytelling.
Inside LEGO Icons Shrek: Swamp Base, Printed Details and Hidden Easter Eggs
The flagship model, 72423 Shrek, Donkey & Puss in Boots, functions as a full-blown LEGO Icons Shrek display piece. Built from 1,403 pieces, it features brick-built Shrek and Donkey posed on a swampy forest-floor base, complete with the classic “Beware Ogre!” warning sign, sunflowers and – fittingly – onions. All character details and signage are printed rather than stickered, a collector-friendly touch that reinforces its 18+ positioning. The model stands roughly 24 cm tall and is designed as a desk or shelf centrepiece rather than a traditional playset. An exclusive Puss in Boots minifigure, with custom-moulded head, feathered hat, cape and sword, anchors the scene in minifigure scale. Dig into Shrek’s belly and you’ll find hidden references like an onion, a waffle and an eyeball, nodding to his eyeball snacks and other gross-out gags from the original film.
BrickHeadz Shrek Trio: Stylised Takes on Shrek, Donkey and Gingy
For fans who want a more compact entry into the Shrek LEGO collection, 40923 Shrek, Donkey & Gingy Figures brings the characters into the BrickHeadz format. This smaller set includes 259 pieces and builds three stylised figures with the line’s trademark square heads and chibi proportions. Shrek appears with his instantly recognisable ears and outfit, Donkey gets a cheeky expression, and Gingy is finished with icing-button details that mirror his on-screen design. Standing a few inches tall, they are designed for simple, satisfying builds and easy shelf display, and they skew to a slightly younger age band than the larger Icons-style Shrek set. Despite the playful proportions, the BrickHeadz pack still reads as part of the same new LEGO Shrek sets wave, giving collectors a way to flank the main swamp display or start a dedicated Shrek corner among other new LEGO movie sets.
Pricing, Release Window and LEGO’s Nostalgia Strategy
LEGO is positioning these sets squarely at fans who grew up with the original movie. The LEGO Shrek display set carries a recommended price of USD 129.99 (approx. RM610) for its 1,403 parts, a price-per-piece ratio that is in line with other adult-focused Icons-style releases. The BrickHeadz Shrek, Donkey and Gingy pack comes in at USD 24.99 (approx. RM120), making it a more accessible way to join the Shrek LEGO collection. Both sets are already up for preorder and will officially launch on June 1 via LEGO’s own channels, with the larger model remaining a LEGO exclusive until later in the year. Strategically, the release fits a broader trend: LEGO increasingly mines nostalgic animation and film franchises for display-led products that appeal to millennial collectors, blending adult-friendly builds with the emotional pull of childhood favourites.
“Just the Beginning”: Future Shrek Sets and the Franchise Comeback
What makes these LEGO Shrek sets feel significant isn’t just their timing with the Shrek 25th anniversary—it’s LEGO’s clear signal that more is coming. Creative Lead Raquel Ojeda describes the launch as “just the beginning” and promises “lots more LEGO Shrek magic,” while Universal’s consumer products team frames the partnership as a way to bring Far Far Away to life in bricks. Rumours already point to a LEGO Shrek Collectible Minifigures series later in the year, hinting at a wider character roster beyond the exclusive Puss in Boots minifigure. With a new Shrek film on the horizon, fans are speculating about full playsets: a swamp hut, Far Far Away streets, the onion carriage or Dragon’s keep. Early reaction suggests strong millennial nostalgia and appreciation of the display value, even as collectors debate whether the adult-oriented price tag matches the build volume and Easter egg density.
