When Does the Animated Film "Shrek" (2001) Take Place?
"Shrek" is a comedy fantasy animated film written by Ted Elliott with Terry Rossio, Joe Stillman, and Roger S. H. Schulman [adapting "Shrek!" (1990) by William Steig] that released May 18th, 2001. So when is "Shrek" set?
It takes place on the fictional Shrekverse timeline in the year:
We know this because although no years are mentioned during the story, in "Shrek: The Musical" (2008) Shrek and Fiona are both 30-years-old. Assuming a close adaptation, they are 30-years-old in the film as well.
1422 AD
We know this because although no years are mentioned during the story, in "Shrek: The Musical" (2008) Shrek and Fiona are both 30-years-old. Assuming a close adaptation, they are 30-years-old in the film as well.
The third film, "Shrek the Third" (2007), includes a nightmare sequence with a banner reading "Congratulations Class of MCDIX," representing 1409 AD. It is, however, unclear whether this is a high school or college graduation year. Either way it is over 10 years but less than 20 years after 1409 AD.
1409 + 10 = 1419
or
1409 + 20 = 1429.
The second film, "Shrek 2" (2004), takes place in June of 1422 AD. So it must be very shortly before June of 1422 AD.
This Reddit user examines the franchise's exact setting.
It was adapted back to comics in 2003 and as a stage-musical in 2008.
