The 10 Best Female Shrek Characters
  • Photo:
    • Shrek the Third
    • DreamWorks

The 10 Best Female Shrek Characters

David De La Riva
Updated December 16, 2024 10 items

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477 votes
151 voters

Attention citizens of Far Far Away! We are ranking the best female characters in Shrek from best to worst! The Shrek franchise centers the titular ogre and has become synonymous with subverting what audiences expect from traditional fairy tale creatures and princesses, from their personalities down to the ways they look. Almost every character is shockingly different than their book counterparts, however, there isn't a more prominent example of this than with the female Shrek characters. 

Each and every classic female character in Shrek is the opposite of what audiences would expect them to be, challenging the tired notion of “act like a lady" while showing off dynamic range and strong personalities. These ideologies have given moviegoers some of the best animated characters in the history of cinema! 

Of course, there's Shrek's wife Princess Fiona, voiced beautifully by Cameron Diaz, and Fairy Godmother, voiced to maniacal perfection by Jennifer Saunders — each have burst through traditionally animated character stardom and have become pop culture phenomenons as few films have. Even the fleeting background characters stick with us, and while she's not a human woman, we can't forget the fierce and feminine Dragon who steals Donkey's heart. 

Even the newest installment in the Shrek franchise, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish cast massive Hollywood juggernaut Florence Pugh to star as the film's main antagonist, Goldilocks. Each of these women in Shrek withstand the test of time and have given both kids and adults characters they can idolize. This list of names goes to show the power of good writing and voice acting within the cartoon and animated world, how imagination and innovation can easily turn fairytale tropes on their heads.

Vote up the best female characters from Shrek, and be sure to check out The Best DreamWorks Animated Movies! Each entry also includes descriptions and pictures for reference. If you don't see your favorite name here, add it to the list!

  • Dragon
    • Photo:
      • Shrek
      • DreamWorks
    1
    94 votes

    Dragon is a formidable yet affectionate creature in the Shrek series. Initially a guardian of the castle where Princess Fiona was imprisoned, Dragon later becomes an ally and even falls in love with Donkey. She's a fierce protector of her family and plays a crucial role in several of the films' key battles.

    • Appears In: Shrek, Shrek 2, Shrek the Third, Shrek Forever After
    • Played By: Frank Welker
  • Princess Fiona
    • Photo:
      • Shrek the Third
      • DreamWorks
    2
    103 votes

    Princess Fiona is one of the central characters in the Shrek series. Originally cursed to transform into an ogre at night, she eventually falls in love with Shrek and accepts her ogre form permanently. Fiona is strong-willed, brave, and not afraid to stand up for herself and those she loves. Her character breaks the traditional princess mold, bringing depth and humor to the role.

    • Appears In: Shrek, Shrek 2, Shrek the Third, Shrek Forever After
    • Played By: Cameron Diaz
  • Kitty Softpaws
    • Photo:
      • Puss in Boots
      • DreamWorks
    3
    66 votes

    Kitty Softpaws

    Appearing in Puss in Boots, Kitty Softpaws is a skilled and sly cat thief who partners with Puss. She's known for her grace, stealth, and sword-fighting abilities. Although initially seeming aloof, she reveals a more compassionate and complex character as the story unfolds.

    • Appears In: Puss in Boots, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
    • Played By: Salma Hayek
  • Queen Lillian
    • Photo:
      • Shrek 2
      • DreamWorks
    4
    49 votes

    Queen Lillian is the queen of Far Far Away and the mother of Princess Fiona. Supportive of her daughter and accepting of Shrek, she plays a loving and understanding role in the series. In Shrek the Third, she shows a more assertive side, helping to lead a group of princesses to take action.

    • Appears In: Shrek 2, Shrek the Third, Shrek Forever After
    • Played By: Julie Andrews
  • Doris
    • Photo:
      • Shrek 2
      • DreamWorks
    5
    81 votes

    Doris

    Doris is one of Cinderella's stepsisters and a friend to Shrek and his companions. With a deep voice and a no-nonsense attitude, she serves as a bartender at the Poison Apple Inn and provides unexpected wisdom and support to the main characters. Her character is a humorous subversion of the wicked stepsister trope.

    • Appears In: Shrek 2, Shrek the Third
    • Played By: Larry King
  • Snow White
    • Photo:
      • Shrek the Third
      • DreamWorks
    6
    55 votes

    Snow White

    Portrayed with a twist in the Shrek series, Snow White is initially shown as a stereotypical princess but later reveals a tougher side. She's not afraid to take charge and even leads an attack, summoning animals to her aid. Her character in the Shrek series parodies the traditional portrayal of Snow White in fairy tales.

    • Appears In: Shrek 2, Shrek the Third
    • Played By: Amy Poehler
  • Cinderella
    • Photo:
      • Shrek the Third
      • DreamWorks
    7
    40 votes

    Cinderella

    Cinderella appears as one of the princesses in the Shrek series. Her character doesn't play a major role but is included as part of the franchise's playful take on classic fairy tale figures. Like other characters, her portrayal in Shrek includes humorous twists on the traditional aspects of her character.

    • Appears In: Shrek the Third
    • Played By: Amy Sedaris
  • Fairy Godmother
    • Photo:
      • Shrek 2
      • DreamWorks

    The Fairy Godmother is the main antagonist in Shrek 2. Though presenting herself as a benevolent and magical figure, she's revealed to be manipulative and power-hungry, orchestrating events to install her son Prince Charming as the king. Her character is a twist on the traditional benevolent figure from fairy tales.

    • Appears In: Shrek 2
    • Played By: Jennifer Saunders
  • Rapunzel
    • Photo:
      • Shrek the Third
      • DreamWorks
    9
    42 votes

    Rapunzel

    In Shrek the Third, Rapunzel is portrayed as a self-serving character who initially appears to be friends with the other princesses but later betrays them. Her character is manipulative and aligns herself with the film's main villain, playing a role that diverges significantly from her traditional fairy tale portrayal.

    • Appears In: Shrek the Third
    • Played By: Maya Rudolph
  • Goldilocks
    • Photo:
      • Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
      • DreamWorks
    10
    51 votes

    Though not a significant character in the Shrek films, Goldilocks makes minor appearances and is depicted in a humorous light, consistent with the series' tendency to parody classic fairy tale characters.

    • Appears In: Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
    • Played By: Florence Pugh