When Shrek hit cinemas in 1990, audiences had never seen a fairy tale quite like it. Simultaneously superb for kids and adults alike, the film kick-started a run of sequels and spin-offs, and gave us some of the most memorable animated characters we’ve ever seen…

Shrek

Mike Myer’s titular ogre needs little introduction. Combining both a gloriously bad-tempered and unsociable side with an impromptu heroic streak, Shrek rescues the princess, beats the bad guy and gets the girl, and (after a few films’ worth of adventures!) lives happily ever after.

Donkey

Eddie Murphy’s talking donkey is the lead comic relief in each and every film. Simultaneously Shrek’s best friend and a cause of irritation to the irascible ogre, the diminutive Donkey talks, worries, fights and hums his way through the franchise. We’re glad he escaped his old owner!

Puss in Boots

Introduced in Shrek 2 and also the star of his own spin off… beg for mercy from Puss in Boots! A mercenary who’s a shameless parody of voice actor Antonio Banderas’ famous take on Zorro, Puss becomes a core member of the gang, and his cute kitten act is a truly “devastating” weapon.

Princess Fiona

Voiced by Cameron Diaz, the female lead of the franchise is the Princess of Far Far Away, and also happens to be an ogress for part of the time. She chooses to keep this form due to her love for Shrek. Fiona definitively puts the old stereotype of princesses needing to be rescued to bed!

The Gingerbread Man (Gingy)

A fixture in all four films, Gingy’s exclamations of “eat me!” and “not the gumdrop buttons!” quickly secured his status as a fan favourite. In the alternate universe of Shrek Forever After, a rather villainous version of Gingy hilariously tries to capture Shrek for the evil Rumpelstiltskin.

Dragon

Dragon’s swift transformation from ferocious fire-breathing foe to Donkey’s unlikely mate is still one of the greatest twists in the Shrek franchise, and the adorable baby “Dronkeys” that this union produces are far too cute to be allowed. Dragon appears in all 4 Shrek movies.

Lord Farquaad

The main antagonist of the very first Shrek film, and the subject of an awful lot of height-related jokes and puns! In Shrek the Musical, it’s revealed that he’s actually the child of Grumpy (of Seven Dwarves fame). Bad guys like Lord Farquaad really are in short supply.

The Fairy Godmother

Superbly voiced by Jennifer Saunders, this character is not your typical benevolent fairy godmother of fiction! Famous for stress eating and bubbles, the Fairy Godmother takes an instant dislike to Shrek, and it’s this ongoing personal vendetta that leads to her downfall…

Prince Charming

… as well as the arrival of her son, Charming, in Shrek the Third! Revealed as the prince who was supposed to rescue Fiona from her tower (thereby explaining the Fairy Godmother’s war against Shrek), Charming tries to capture the kingdom of Far Far Away, but ultimately doesn’t fare much better than his mother!

Magic Mirror

A mild-mannered mirror who first reveals Princess Fiona to Lord Farquaad after the latter takes offence to the notion that the kingdom of Duloc may not be totally perfect. We particularly like the scene in Shrek 2 where it returns as a makeshift television set for Shrek’s friends.

Did your favourite character make our list? Or are you perhaps outraged at the absence of Rumpelstilskin, Pinocchio or the Big Bad Wolf?

If you’re a fan of the Shrek franchise, then the Blackpool Operatic Players are bringing Shrek The Musical to our stages between 8th – 11th April, with tickets on sale now.

Don’t miss your chance to see this side-splitting smash hit!