Shrek 1

The genius of Shrek 1 is that Fiona isn’t a feminist icon because she is strong. She is an icon because she is ashamed . Her curse—turning into an Ogre at night—forces the film to ask a question Disney dared not ask: What if the princess doesn't want the handsome prince? What if the happy ending means looking like the monster? The iconic finale, where Fiona chooses to stay an Ogre, remains one of the bravest endings in children's cinema.

Shrek 1 represented a shift. It proved that an animated film could be cynical, sarcastic, and adult without losing its heart. It paved the way for Kung Fu Panda , How to Train Your Dragon , and even adult animated sitcoms. The CGI has aged poorly (compare the water textures to Finding Nemo ), but the "ugly" aesthetic of Shrek —the intentionally grotesque character designs—ages like fine wine. It was never trying to be realistic; it was trying to be earthy. shrek 1