‘Shrek’ immersive experience coming to Cosm for 25th anniversary

Twenty-five years after audiences first ventured into Shrek’s swamp, the original DreamWorks Animation movie is expanding beyond the traditional movie screen.

Cosm announced that “Shrek” will become what the company calls the world’s first animated cinematic experience in Shared Reality. The project brings Cosm together with Universal Film, DreamWorks Animation and Reel FX to celebrate the movie’s 25th anniversary.

Tickets are expected to go on sale this fall. Cosm has not announced an opening date or ticket prices.

What is ‘Shrek’ in Shared Reality?

The original 2001 movie will remain in its 16:9 format while newly created environments extend beyond the screen and across Cosm’s 12K+ LED dome. The experience will transport audiences to locations including Shrek’s Swamp, Duloc’s Arena and Dragon’s Keep.

Shrek, Donkey, Princess Fiona and other characters will also appear beyond the boundaries of the original film.

Cosm has previously applied its Shared Reality technology to sports and live-action movies, including “The Matrix,” but “Shrek” will be its first animated cinematic experience.

“Shrek is an iconic franchise that continues to find new ways to surprise and delight audiences. With Cosm, we’re pushing the boundaries of how fans can experience this beloved story beyond the screen with an interactive trip into Shrek’s world. This partnership opens an exciting new frontier for our brands and for the future of entertainment.” 

– David O’Connor, chief brand officer at Universal Entertainment

Reel FX is working on the project and brings its own theme park connections. The studio’s location-based entertainment work includes ‘The Simpsons Ride‘ and ‘Despicable Me Minion Mayhem.’

The experience will also include an “ogre-worthy” themed menu with food, swamp-inspired cocktails and mocktails.

Current Cosm theater locations

These are the current locations of Cosm theaters; however, it is not confirmed which locations will offer the “Shrek” experience.

• Cosm Los Angeles — Inglewood, California, at Hollywood Park
• Cosm Dallas — The Colony, Texas, at Grandscape
• Cosm Atlanta — Atlanta, Georgia, at Centennial Yards
• Cosm Detroit — Detroit, Michigan, at Cadillac Square
• Cosm Cleveland — Cleveland, Ohio, at Rock Block (coming in 2027)

A larger Universal partnership

“Shrek” is the first project in a multi-year, multi-film partnership between Universal Film and Cosm. Additional Universal movies are expected to receive Shared Reality adaptations, although the companies have not revealed which titles will follow.

“Shrek” debuted in 2001 and became the first movie to win the Academy Award for best animated feature.

Where to experience Shrek at Universal theme parks

The Cosm project joins a growing collection of physical “Shrek” experiences, including two relatively new theme park areas in the United States.

At Universal Studios Florida, Shrek is one of the major characters represented in DreamWorks Land, which opened in 2024. Meet Donkey and Shrek at Shrek’s Swamp Meet, outside Shrek’s cottage. Let the kids run around Shrek’s Swamp for Little Ogres play area. Swamp Snacks also carries the franchise into the land’s food offerings, including the Shrekzel.

Shrek received an entire land when Universal Kids Resort opened July 1, 2026, in Frisco, Texas. DreamWorks’ Shrek’s Swamp includes Shrek & Fiona’s Happily Ogre After — the first Shrek-themed ride in the United States — along with Shrek’s Swamp Rompin’ Stomp playground, Shrek’s Swamp Splash and Smash water play area and character encounters with Shrek and Fiona.