DreamWorks' 'Shrek 2' Becomes the Top-Grossing Animated Film in History.
PR Newswire; 6/13/2004
GLENDALE, Calif., June 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The first "Shrek" has been pushed down a notch
in the top-grossing animated film rankings, going from third to fourth, but you won't hear
the big green ogre complaining. That's because the film doing the pushing is its sequel,
DreamWorks Pictures' computer-animated comedy "Shrek 2," which has become the top-grossing
animated film in history (domestically) with a cumulative domestic box office gross of
$346.5 million as of Saturday, June 12. The film crossed the previous record of $339.8
million on June 12, only its 25th day in release. The announcement was made today by
DreamWorks Pictures Head of Distribution Jim Tharp.
The achievement added a new record to the already multiple record-breaking run of "Shrek
2," which has shattered virtually every record for an animated film -- and several for any
film in history -- since its May 19th opening. In addition to now being the top-grossing
animated film of all time, "Shrek 2" now holds the records for the biggest mid-week
opening day for an animated film, the largest opening weekend for an animated film, the
largest five-day opening for any film, the biggest single-day Saturday gross for any film,
and the biggest single-day Sunday gross for any film.
In making the announcement, Jim Tharp said, "To say that we are amazed and thrilled would
be a huge understatement. We have celebrated every record, but this latest hurdle -- to
become the top-grossing animated film in history -- is something we hardly even imagined.
Everyone at DreamWorks and PDI shares in this accomplishment. We are all very, very proud
of 'Shrek 2's' extraordinary success."
The natural order of fairy tales is interrupted in the sequel to the Academy
Award(R)-winning blockbuster "Shrek." "Shrek 2" sends Shrek, Donkey and Princess Fiona on
a whirlwind of new adventures with more fairy-tale favorites to lampoon along the way.
Shrek and Princess Fiona return from their honeymoon to find an invitation to visit
Fiona's parents, the King and Queen of the Kingdom of Far, Far Away. With Donkey along for
the ride, the newlyweds set off. Little did Shrek and Fiona know that their marriage had
foiled all of her father's plans for her future ... and his own. Now the King must enlist
the help of a powerful Fairy Godmother, the handsome Prince Charming and that famed ogre
killer Puss In Boots to put right his version of "happily ever after."
"Shrek 2" brings back the voices of Mike Myers as Shrek, Eddie Murphy as Donkey and
Cameron Diaz as Princess Fiona. Joining the all-star voice cast are: Academy Award(R)
winner Julie Andrews ("Mary Poppins") and Oscar(R) nominee John Cleese ("A Fish Called
Wanda") as Fiona's royal parents, Queen Lillian and King Harold; Antonio Banderas ("Spy
Kids") as Puss In Boots; Rupert Everett ("My Best Friend's Wedding") as Prince Charming;
and Jennifer Saunders ("Absolutely Fabulous") as the Fairy Godmother.
The computer-animated comedy was directed by Andrew Adamson, Kelly Asbury and Conrad
Vernon, with Aron Warner, David Lipman and John H. Williams producing, and Jeffrey
Katzenberg executive producing. Adamson and Joe Stillman and J. David Stem & David N.
Weiss wrote the screenplay from a story by Adamson, based upon the book by William Steig.
DreamWorks SKG was formed in October, 1994, by its three principal partners -- Steven
Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen -- to produce live-action motion pictures;
animated feature films; network and cable television programming; home video
entertainment; books; toys; and consumer products.
CONTACT: Diana Loomis of DreamWorks Pictures, +1-212-588-6141
