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Shrek the Halls
Shrek the Halls poster.jpg
DVD cover
Based on Shrek!
by William Steig
Written by Gary Trousdale
Sean Bishop
Theresa Pettengill
Bill Riling
Directed by Gary Trousdale
Starring Mike Myers
Eddie Murphy
Cameron Diaz
Antonio Banderas
Cody Cameron
Christopher Knights
Conrad Vernon
Aron Warner
Theme music composer Harry Gregson-Williams
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
Production
Producer(s) Gina Shay
Teresa Cheng
Aron Warner
Running time 21 minutes (30 minutes with commercials)
Production company(s) DreamWorks Animation
Pacific Data Images
Release
Original network ABC
Original release November 28, 2007 (2007-11-28)

Shrek the Halls is a fun American Christmas computer-animated comedy television special. It first aired on the ABC network on November 28, 2007. This special is about 21 minutes long and was made by DreamWorks Animation.

Many of the original voice actors from the Shrek movies returned for this special. These include Mike Myers as Shrek, Eddie Murphy as Donkey, Cameron Diaz as Princess Fiona, and Antonio Banderas as Puss in Boots. The story of Shrek the Halls happens between the movies Shrek the Third and Shrek Forever After. Just like the other Shrek adventures, this Christmas special is based on the children's book Shrek! by William Steig.

What Happens in the Story

Shrek is enjoying a quiet life in his swamp with his family. But then, the Christmas season arrives! Donkey gets very excited about Christmas. He convinces Shrek to promise Princess Fiona a super special Christmas surprise.

Shrek doesn't know much about Christmas. So, he goes to a bookstore in Far Far Away to find a gift for Fiona. The shopkeeper gives him a book called Christmas For Village Idiots. This book is a step-by-step guide on how to celebrate the holiday. Shrek decides to follow the book's advice. He decorates his house and gets a Christmas tree. He wants to have a peaceful Christmas Eve with just his family.

But Donkey has other plans! He brings all their friends to the swamp. This includes Puss in Boots, Gingy, and many others. Shrek's quiet family Christmas is suddenly very crowded!

Shrek tries to read the classic Christmas poem, "A Visit from St. Nicholas". But Donkey, Puss, and Gingy keep interrupting him. Each of them wants to tell their own funny Christmas story. Donkey tells a wild tale about a Christmas parade and licking a giant waffle Santa. Puss's story involves playing with Santa's hat tassel. Gingy tells a scary story about his girlfriend Suzy being eaten by Santa Claus!

Donkey thinks Gingy's story is silly. He finds Shrek's Christmas book. Soon, a big fight breaks out over the book. Shrek's special Christmas supper gets ruined. After a small accident where his butt catches fire, Shrek finally loses his temper. He kicks all his friends out of the house. Donkey gets upset and calls him "Ebenezer Shrek." Fiona is sad about Shrek's behavior. She leaves with their three ogre babies. She then explains to Donkey what Shrek had really wanted for Christmas.

Shrek feels bad about what he did. He catches up with the group and says sorry. He explains that this is his very first Christmas. Ogres don't usually celebrate holidays. Everyone returns to the swamp. Shrek then tells his own version of "The Night Before Christmas." In his story, he is "Ogre Claus."

Suddenly, they hear bells! They go outside and see Santa Claus and his reindeer. Gingy is still scared of Santa and runs back inside. The special ends with Santa using his magic to put ogre ears on the moon. It's a funny and heartwarming ending!

Who Are the Voices

How It Was Made

Shrek the Halls was created by DreamWorks Animation and Pacific Data Images. The special was directed by Gary Trousdale. It was produced by Teresa Cheng, Gina Shay, and Aron Warner. The story was written by Bill Riling, Theresa Cullen, Gary Trousdale, and Sean Bishop.

When It Was Released

TV Airings

Shrek the Halls first showed on ABC in the United States on November 28, 2007. In the UK, it first aired on December 24, 2007, on BBC One.

Home Videos

You could buy Shrek the Halls on DVD in the United States starting November 4, 2008. It was also available to download on iTunes. Later, it came out on Blu-ray and DVD as part of a collection called Dreamworks Holiday Classics. It was also re-released on DVD with other holiday specials like Merry Madagascar and Kung Fu Panda Holiday.

A picture book version of Shrek the Halls was also published by HarperFestival. It was written by Catherine Hapka and had pictures by Michael Koelsch.

Music in the Special

The music for Shrek the Halls was composed by Harry Gregson-Williams. The special also features many popular and Christmas songs. Here are some of them:

  • "Summer Breeze"
  • "Jingle Bells" (sung by Eddie Murphy)
  • "Here We Come A-wassailing"
  • "Because We Can"
  • "Jingo (Gin Go La Ba)"
  • "Ride of the Valkyries"
  • "The Twelve Days of Christmas"
  • "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town"
  • "O Fortuna"
  • "Christmas Wrapping"
  • "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)"
  • "Don't Stop Believin'"
  • "Hello Ma Baby"
  • "Hallelujah Chorus"
  • "Deck the Halls"
  • "The Stars Shine in the Sky Tonight"

ICE! Exhibit

In July 2011, Shrek the Halls became the theme for the ICE! exhibit at Gaylord Hotels in Texas and Florida. In this cool exhibit, the story of the special is told using amazing ice sculptures that visitors can walk past and enjoy!

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Shrek the Halls para niños

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