National Film RegistryLibrary of Congress · Inducted 2020
“Even by DreamWorks standards, the charm and magic of "Shrek" seemed extraordinary upon its initial release almost 20 years ago — and its power has yet to diminish in the intervening years.”
Selected for preservation as culturally, historically or aesthetically significant.
Directed by
Andrew Adamson, Vicky Jenson
Studio
DreamWorks · DreamWorks Animation · Pacific Data Images · 90 min
Box office
$488.4M worldwide on a $60M budget
Honors
Academy Awards — 1 win, 2 nominationsAnnie Awards — 1 winBritish Academy Film Awards — 1 winCritics' Choice Movie Award — 1 winAll 4 wins · 3 nominations on record
Academy Awards: Best Animated Feature
Annie Awards: Best Animated Feature
British Academy Film Awards: BAFTA's Children & Young People Award - Feature Film
Critics' Choice Movie Award: Best Animated Feature
Scholarship
Named in the title of 17 peer-reviewed works
Examples
Sources: Wikidata · Library of Congress · OpenAlex. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.
FILM NOTES
Shrek arrived in 2001 from DreamWorks Animation, a film that reshaped what animated features could be by turning fairy tale convention inside out. It became a cultural landmark, earning the first Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and proving that irreverence and heart could coexist in a family film. Its success established DreamWorks as a serious rival to Disney and Pixar, and its blend of pop culture humor with genuine warmth influenced a generation of animated storytelling.
This cell places Shrek within his swamp, the setting that defines him before the story ever asks him to leave it. For collectors, this is the character in his native element, the ogre as homeowner and reluctant hero, established in the space that makes his later journey meaningful. A 35mm cell from this moment captures the foundation of the character rather than a later plot beat, appealing to those who want Shrek in his most essential, unaltered context, the swamp as home rather than backdrop.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm theatrical release print of Shrek (2001).
Gauge
35mm, confirmed by four perforations per frame on both edges; the strip holds three frames.
Perforations
Four per frame on both edges, evenly spaced and cleanly punched with no visible torn or deformed holes.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track is visible running along one edge beside the picture area, consistent with a standard optical stereo release print.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture at sufficient resolution to read manufacturer text or key numbers.
Base & colour
The base shows a light cyan-blue tint typical of Eastman or Kodak color print stock; the dye image appears neutral with no visible red shift or fading.
Projection history
Light longitudinal scratches are visible running along the length of the strip, consistent with evidence of a projected print.
Picture
Positive color image; the three frames appear to be consecutive frames from a single shot and the animated characters and environment are consistent with the CGI animated feature on record.
Era check
The cyan-tinted base, variable-area optical soundtrack, and color dye structure are all consistent with a 35mm theatrical release print from the early 2000s, matching the 2001 release date on record.
Read from the original intake capture shown below. Observations only — film is authenticated, not graded.
This original motion picture film element has been examined and authenticated by Crown Grading in partnership with National Film Vault, and encapsulated for archival preservation.
Why so little survivesRelease prints were leased to theaters, not sold. When the run ended they went back to the distributor to be destroyed, and most were. What collectors hold today came from the prints that escaped that order, and no new 35mm prints of these films are being struck.
CROWN SERIAL 000063138
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
