When it comes to unexpected, animated couples, few are as iconic, hilarious, and strangely wholesome as Donkey and Dragon from the Shrek franchise. What started as a fire-breathing standoff in a crumbling castle evolved into one of the most memorable love stories in DreamWorks history. From comic relief to heartfelt romance, these two gave us moments that were weirdly perfect—and perfectly weird. Let’s look back at the top 10 Donkey and Dragon moments that left a lasting impression.
#10: The Fiery First Encounter
It all started in Lord Farquaad’s castle, when Donkey was sent on a quest with Shrek to rescue Princess Fiona. After a series of classic mishaps and chaotic adventures, Donkey found himself separated from the group, wandering through the dragon-guarded fortress. As tension builds, the audience expects the worst. And then—boom! Dragon appears, massive and intimidating, ready to charbroil our chatty sidekick. But instead of eating him, she gives him goo-goo eyes. Donkey’s terrified confusion slowly melts into awkward flattery as he realizes she’s not going to eat him—she’s flirting. What should’ve been a throwaway gag becomes the spark that launches a bizarrely sweet dynamic. It’s the moment the Shrek universe officially said, “Yes, we’re doing that kind of story.” And we loved it.
#9: Donkey’s Rescue Plan (and Accidental Flirtation)
While Shrek is busy rescuing Fiona, Donkey ends up being the unexpected distraction to keep Dragon occupied. His wide-eyed panic and fast-talking antics become his primary defense mechanisms, and somehow, Dragon interprets them as charm. The hilarious physical comedy of her carrying him off like a ragdoll, nuzzling him in her treasure pile, and batting her lashes while he squirms is pure animated gold. But even in all the chaos, you can see Donkey slowly warming up to her. He goes from shrieking “Put me down!” to nervously complimenting her teeth and shiny scales. It’s a moment that shouldn’t work—but somehow, it does. It sets the foundation for their future relationship in the most unconventional way possible.
#8: When Donkey Tames the Beast
By the end of the first film, Dragon transforms from comic menace to surprise hero. In one of the franchise’s best twists, Dragon swoops in during Shrek and Fiona’s wedding to eat Lord Farquaad and save the day. But how does she get there? It’s revealed that Donkey went back to find her—and not only convinced her to come but somehow got her to help. Offscreen, Donkey has already bonded with her on a deeper level, showing that what began as fear turned into real connection. It’s a sweet, silent testimony to their growing affection. By the time she crashes the wedding and joins the team, Dragon isn’t just a plot device—she’s a valued friend and eventual family member.
#7: The “We Did What?!” Morning-After Scene
In Shrek 2, Donkey wakes up in a castle stable, foggy from the night before. Slowly, he pieces together that he spent the night with Dragon—and his reaction is priceless. It’s a perfect blend of horror, confusion, and “Wait… was that kind of nice?” There’s nothing graphic, of course—it’s a family movie—but the implications are enough to send both kids and adults into giggles. Dragon, curled up nearby, lets out a dreamy sigh, clearly happy. And Donkey’s over-the-top meltdown? Comedy gold. It cements their romance as a central part of the franchise’s unique brand of weird and wonderful.
#6: Flying Into the Fight in Shrek 2
During the climax of Shrek 2, Donkey and Puss in Boots head off to rescue Shrek and Fiona—only for Donkey to shout, “We need a ride!” In swoops Dragon, epic and majestic, giving us one of the coolest moments in the entire movie. She lifts them into the air and crash-lands at the castle just in time to save the day. The scene combines action, heart, and romance as Dragon barrels through defenses, breathing fire and blasting through walls, all to protect the ones she loves. It’s a reminder that this interspecies duo is more than just a running gag—they’re a literal power couple.
#5: Becoming Parents
In Shrek the Third, we’re introduced to a new level of Donkey and Dragon’s relationship: parenthood. Not only have they stayed together, but they’ve also started a family—and not just any family. The result of their union? Dronkeys. That’s right: dragon-donkey hybrid babies, equal parts adorable and bizarre. Watching Donkey try to be a good dad, talking to his kids and beaming with pride, adds an unexpected layer of tenderness to his character. And Dragon, too, is seen snuggling and protecting her young, breathing fire at anyone who threatens them. The fact that DreamWorks leaned fully into the absurdity of it all makes the wholesomeness land even harder. It’s weird, it’s wild, and it’s surprisingly touching.
#4: Donkey Serenading Dragon
While the Shrek movies are packed with musical moments, one of the most memorable is Donkey singing to Dragon. Whether it’s a lullaby, a love song, or a made-up tune on the fly, Donkey’s musical antics always seem to win her over. In Shrek Forever After, there’s a moment when alternate-universe Donkey sings to win Dragon’s heart once more—and even though she doesn’t recognize him at first, something about his voice tugs at her scaly heartstrings. It’s a callback to how their relationship has always been rooted in charm, chaos, and Donkey’s uniquely irresistible personality.
#3: The Alternate Universe Goodbye
In Shrek Forever After, Donkey finds himself in an alternate reality where he never met Shrek, and Dragon is once again a terrifying beast. Their interactions are cold and filled with tension, especially since she doesn’t recognize him at all. But in a bittersweet twist, Donkey still tries to reach her. When the timeline is finally restored, Dragon is back to her old self, and their reunion is one of the film’s most touching moments. The fear of losing her, and the joy of getting her back, shows how far their bond has come. It’s more than just romance—it’s about remembering who you are with the people who made you better.
#2: The Wedding Scene
While Shrek and Fiona take center stage at the end of the first film, Donkey and Dragon share a quiet, sweet moment during the celebrations. They don’t have lines, but they’re seen dancing together, laughing, and clearly basking in the glow of happily-ever-after. It’s a visual payoff to their weird, wild journey. What began as a one-sided crush turned into genuine love—and they’re living it out in the most unexpected fairy tale fashion.
#1: The Final Family Moment
In Shrek Forever After, the series ends on a high note with Donkey and Dragon fully established as a family. Surrounded by their dronkey kids, they attend Shrek and Fiona’s celebration, laughing and flying through the sky. It’s a moment of peace and togetherness that feels earned after all the chaos. Despite being one of the strangest animated couples in movie history, they’ve become a symbol of love that defies logic. And maybe that’s what makes them so unforgettable. Because in a fairy tale world filled with ogres, witches, and talking animals, the most magical thing of all might just be a dragon who fell in love with a donkey—and never looked back.
