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 (2001) arrived from DreamWorks Animation as a genre-tilting fairy tale, released to counter the prevailing Disney formula with irreverence and pop culture bite. Directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson, it became a defining animated feature of its era, winning the first Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and reshaping how family films could speak to adults and children alike. Its success established DreamWorks as a serious rival in the animation space and set the template for franchise sequels, spin-offs, and a lasting cultural footprint that persists well beyond its original theatrical run.
This cell centers on Lord Farquaad, the diminutive, image-obsessed ruler of Duloc whose ambitions drive much of the film's conflict. Collectors seek him out for his status as one of animation's most quoted antagonists, a character whose vanity and control over his kingdom make him instantly recognizable. A single-character cell like this isolates him outside the ensemble, offering a focused artifact tied directly to his presence in the story rather than a shared scene, appealing to those who collect by character rather than by moment.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm Dolby Digital theatrical release print of Shrek (2001).
Gauge
35mm, four perforations per frame visible on both edges; the strip holds three complete frames
Perforations
Four per frame on both edges, evenly spaced, cleanly punched with no torn or deformed holes visible
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track is visible running along one edge beside the picture area, appearing as a dual bilateral track; blue and white striped lines consistent with a Dolby Digital data block area are also visible between the perforation rows on the lower edge strip
Edge print
Not visible in this capture at sufficient resolution to read any key numbers or manufacturer text
Base & colour
Base shows a light cyan-blue tint consistent with a colour print stock; the dye image reads warm with amber and purple tones, no obvious fading or red shift
Projection history
Light horizontal lines are visible across the frame area consistent with projection wear; no splices or cue marks seen
Picture
Positive colour image; all three frames appear to be from the same continuous shot, consistent with an animated feature matching the film on record
Era check
The combination of cyan-tinted base, dual bilateral optical track, and Dolby Digital data blocks between perforations is consistent with a 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 000063247
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
