Shrek Meme EXPLAINED: How a 2001 Ogre Became the Internet’s Most Legendary Meme Icon
Shrek first appeared as a fun animated movie back in 2001, introducing us to a grumpy but kind-hearted ogre. Over time, Shrek became way more than just a movie character—he turned into one of the most popular memes on the internet.
In this article, I’ll talk about where Shrek came from, how Shrek memes got so popular online, and why Shrek is such a perfect character for memes that people still love today.
#1. What Are the Origins of Shrek and How Did It Become a Meme?
Shrek first appeared as a fun animated movie back in 2001. It’s about a grumpy ogre who goes on a surprising adventure to save Princess Fiona. The movie mixed fairy tale magic with lots of humor, making it feel fresh and different. People loved Shrek’s funny, down-to-earth personality, which helped the character become a favorite for many long before memes came into the picture.
Shrek’s journey into meme culture began in 2014 with a reaction image from the film. In this scene, Shrek looks surprised after Princess Fiona offers him and Donkey a meal, saying, “They have a big day ahead.” Shrek’s surprised glance at Donkey became a widely shared reaction image online.
The earliest known usage of this image as a meme was uploaded by a FunnyJunk forum user named siksteen on March 7, 2014, during an interaction with other followers.
#2. How Did Shrek Memes Spread in Internet Culture?
Shrek became a meme starting in 2014, when a funny scene from the 2001 movie caught people’s attention online. In this scene, Shrek looks surprised after Princess Fiona offers him and Donkey some food. This expression became known as the “Shrek Meme Face” and quickly spread on websites like Reddit, Tumblr, and 4chan.
People love this meme because Shrek’s face can show many feelings like surprise, doubt, or confusion. Over time, fans used this meme to joke about all sorts of things on the internet, making Shrek a lasting and popular meme character.
#3. Why Do Shrek Memes Continue to Go Viral Years?
Shrek memes didn’t just appear once and fade—they’ve kept growing thanks to active sharing and creative edits online. For example, on May 3rd, 2020, a Reddit user named The_lost_monk_ posted the Shrek Oop Face meme with a funny caption about playing a video game, which gained over 10 upvotes in four years. Then, on April 16th, 2022, another Reddit user, Ai2ar, shared a clearer, higher-quality version of the meme that got nearly 500 upvotes and sparked conversations.
The meme also found new life on TikTok. In November 2023, user @s0ndber posted a video showing the famous Shrek surprised face, which collected over 37,000 views and 900 likes in just a year. Later that July, TikTok user @rafa_martinez0297 shared a creative edit of the same scene that went viral, earning over 2 million views and 430,000 likes in a year.
These examples show how Shrek memes continue to thrive across platforms, proving the character’s lasting popularity in internet culture.
#4. What Are the Key Meme Formats and Shrek Meme Archetypes?
Shrek memes come in several popular formats that capture different parts of the character’s personality and the movie’s humor. One common format is the “Shrek Oop Face” or “Shrek Meme Face,” which shows Shrek’s surprised or skeptical expression. This reaction image is often paired with funny or ironic captions.
Another popular archetype is the “Shrek Is Love, Shrek Is Life” meme, which takes the character into surreal and exaggerated territory, turning Shrek into a symbol of absurd internet humor.
There are also memes that remix famous Shrek quotes, scenes, or even mash them with other pop culture references. These formats allow fans to play with Shrek’s lovable yet grumpy nature, making the memes both funny and endlessly adaptable.
#5 Frequently Asked Questions About Shrek Memes
Is “Shrek is Love, Shrek is Life” Real?
No, “Shrek is Love, Shrek is Life” is a fictional meme video created by internet users, not based on any real story. It started as a creepy story (creepypasta) posted on 4chan in 2013 and was later made into an animated short on YouTube.
Why Did Shrek Become Such a Big Meme?
Shrek became a huge meme because of his unique mix of irony, nostalgia, and visual appeal online. A 2021 study by the University of Chicago’s Department of Digital Studies found that Shrek’s unusual design, memorable quotes, and connection to early-2000s childhood made him perfect for post-ironic jokes.
Fans across the internet embraced Shrek as both a parody figure and a symbol for absurd humor, using formats like reaction images and video mashups to keep the meme alive.
What’s the Weirdest Shrek Meme Out There?
One of the strangest Shrek memes is Shrek Retold — a fan-made remake of the entire movie with over 200 creators involved. Released in 2018 by 3GI Industries, it features everything from animation and puppetry to live action and claymation, each scene done in a completely different style.
#6 Conclusion
Shrek memes aren’t going anywhere. Their blend of humor and nostalgia keeps them fresh and loved by internet communities everywhere. As online culture changes, people keep finding new ways to remix and share Shrek, from funny reaction images to creative fan art. This keeps the character relevant and popular, making Shrek much more than just a meme—he’s become a true legend of the internet.
