Honestly, if you thought Puss in Boots was going to hang up the cape and boots after that heavy brush with Death in The Last Wish, you haven’t been paying attention.
The orange tabby is basically the crown jewel of DreamWorks right now. After the 2022 sequel pulled in nearly $500 million and basically reinvented what we expect from "kids' movies," everyone wants to know when we're getting more.
Is there a new movie? Yes. Sorta. It’s complicated.
The Shrek 5 Connection and the 2026/2027 Shuffle
Let’s talk dates. For a while, the internet was convinced Shrek 5 was dropping in July 2026. Universal recently shifted things around, and now Shrek 5 is officially slated for June 30, 2027.
Why does this matter for Puss? Because the ending of The Last Wish literally saw Puss, Kitty Softpaws, and Perrito sailing toward Far Far Away to "visit some old friends."
You can't have a Shrek comeback without the cat.
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However, there’s a weird rumor floating around—one that surfaced on Reddit and various leak sites—suggesting Puss might not actually be in the main Shrek 5 plot. While that sounds like blasphemy, it actually points toward a much bigger strategy: the "Shrek Cinematic Universe."
Is Puss in Boots 3 Actually Happening?
Reports from industry insiders like Daniel RPK have suggested that a third standalone Puss in Boots movie is in active development. This makes a ton of sense. DreamWorks saw the massive critical acclaim for the "Spider-Verse" style animation used in the last film and they aren't about to let that momentum die.
Think about it.
The Last Wish wasn't just a sequel; it was a total brand reboot.
Antonio Banderas has been incredibly vocal about his love for the character, even noting how the plot of the last movie mirrored his own real-life heart attack recovery. He isn't done. But we likely won't see a standalone Puss in Boots 3 until after the Shrek revival in 2027.
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DreamWorks is also busy with Forgotten Island, a new project from The Last Wish director Joel Crawford, which is set to hit theaters on September 25, 2026. This original film is soaking up a lot of the creative energy from the team that made Puss so great, so we have to be patient.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Plot
People keep looking for "Death" to return. Wagner Moura’s Wolf was an icon, but bringing him back as a standard villain would actually ruin the ending of the last movie. Death didn't "lose"; he just decided Puss wasn't worth the effort anymore because the cat finally respected his life.
The real future for Puss probably lies in the "Nine Realms" concept.
If you look at the deep lore being hinted at in recent DreamWorks discussions, there’s a move toward exploring more global mythology. We’ve had the Spanish flair, we’ve had the English nursery rhymes—now we might be looking at something broader.
There's also the "Donkey" movie. Eddie Murphy confirmed that a standalone Donkey film is in the works. This tells us DreamWorks is splitting the team up to give everyone their own spotlight before a massive Avengers-style fairytale crossover.
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The Animation Shift
One thing is certain: the "new" Puss in Boots is here to stay. The days of the hyper-realistic, slightly oily-looking fur from the 2011 original are gone.
The stylized, painterly look is the new standard.
It’s cheaper to produce than high-end photorealism and, frankly, it looks way better. It allows for those "stepped" frame rates during action scenes that make the sword fights feel like a comic book coming to life.
What You Should Do Now
If you’re a fan, don't hold your breath for a trailer in 2026. Instead, keep your eyes on the Shrek 5 production updates. Any casting news regarding Antonio Banderas or Salma Hayek for the 2027 Shrek film will be the first "real" indicator of where Puss is headed next.
You can also check out the Forgotten Island release in late 2026. Since it’s the same directorial team, it’ll likely give us a massive hint at the visual style and humor they plan to bring to the next chapter of the Puss in Boots saga.
The legend hasn't retired; he's just waiting for the ogre to wake up.
Stay updated on the official DreamWorks production slate via their newsroom or trade publications like Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter for the first confirmed teaser drops.