John Lithgow’s epic fantasy series takes the streaming world by storm.

John Lithgow is a dynamic actor who has taken on a wide range of roles across various film genres, including animated features. He lends his voice to Lord Farquaad in the beloved film Shrek. The movie’s stellar cast is a key reason for its enduring popularity, captivating audiences for 25 years and turning it into a global streaming phenomenon. Recently, it soared to the top of Netflix’s charts, ranking among the five most-watched films this month.

DreamWorks’ classic fairy tale, Shrek, debuted in theaters in 2001. It features a princess, dragons, fairies, ogres, and, of course, a talking donkey—everything you’d expect from a great children’s fantasy. However, it also includes clever innuendos, pop culture nods, and jokes that resonate with adult viewers, making it a hit with audiences of all ages.

Shrek had all the ingredients for success, including an exceptional voice cast. Mike Myers revived the Scottish accent he used for Austin Powers’ Fat Bastard to portray Shrek. Cameron Diaz delivered a memorable performance as Princess Fiona, while comedy icon Eddie Murphy brought to life the lovable fairy tale donkey. John Lithgow took on the role of the despicable Lord Farquaad, a cowardly villain sporting one of the most infamous haircuts in animated history.

As the years passed, Shrek continued to thrive through memes and nostalgia. In 2026, it celebrated its 25th anniversary with a return to theaters and is also available for streaming on Netflix, alongside the other films in the franchise. According to Netflix’s Global Top 10 Movies list, Shrek has been especially popular this September, starting the month as the fifth most-watched movie and maintaining a spot in the Top 10 the following week.

While October is likely to see a surge of horror films, it seems that viewers are currently in the mood for a fun, nostalgic classic. If you missed Shrek’s theatrical return, now is the perfect time to revisit it. Plus, fans can look forward to Shrek 5, set to hit theaters on June 30, 2027.

I’d bet my last tree star on it.