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 from DreamWorks Animation in 2001, a fairy tale told from the ogre's side of the story rather than the prince's. It became a defining release for the studio, pairing computer animation with a sharp comic script and a soundtrack that leaned into pop irony rather than classic musical numbers. The film won the first Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, cementing its place as a turning point for animated storytelling aimed at both children and adults.
This piece brings together Shrek, Donkey and Princess Fiona, the trio whose banter and shifting alliances drive the entire film. Shrek is the reluctant hero, Donkey the constant chatter at his side, and Fiona the princess who complicates every assumption about rescue and romance. Having all three together in one cell appeals to collectors because it captures the core dynamic of the story rather than a single character moment, representing the film's heart as an ensemble piece rather than a solo turn.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm theatrical release print of Shrek (2001).
Gauge
35mm, four perforations per frame on both edges; the strip holds three complete frames
Perforations
Four per frame on each edge, evenly spaced, cleanly punched with rounded rectangular shape, no torn or deformed holes visible
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track is visible running along one edge beside the picture area, consistent with an analog stereo print; blue and white striped bands between the picture and lower perforation row suggest a Dolby Digital data block region
Edge print
Not visible in this capture at sufficient resolution to read manufacturer codes or key numbers
Base & colour
Base appears with a light cyan-blue tint typical of modern safety stock; dye image reads as neutral with no visible red shift or fading
Projection history
Faint horizontal lines are visible across the frame area consistent with projection wear; no splices or cue marks seen
Picture
Positive color image; all three frames appear to be from the same continuous shot, and the animated characters visible are consistent with the CGI animated feature on record
Era check
The variable-area optical track, Dolby Digital data block banding, cyan-tinted polyester safety base, and four-perforation 35mm format are all consistent with a theatrical release print from the early 2000s
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 000063219
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
