My losing streak is done.
- The movie is quite satisfying how it manages to continue to subvert typical fairy tale endings. The case is how, with the exception of Prince Charming, the villains he enlisted realize from Arthur's speech that they can get their own happy endings, from their rather odd jobs that made them happy in the first place. Before, Prince Charming played on their own universal sadness to get back at the happier folk (like Shrek stealing his arranged princess), but they all decided not to be so mean about their Freudian Excuses anymore and be who they really are inside. As a movie series, Shrek certainly knows how to bring it close to home.
- The villains decide to open up and share some of their own ambitions and dreams. Of particular note is Captain Hook, who nervously steps forward and happily reveals that he grows daffodils. For someone who's spent the entire film being a sinister, bloodthirsty pirate, it's both hilarious and oddly sweet to think of him tending to a flower garden in his spare time.
- A couple blink and you miss it moments during the mass Heel–Face Turn are especially adorable, most notably the Ugly Stepsisters reconciling (since one of them, Dorris, already turned out to be good) and a guard giving Gingy a tiny little high-five.
- Shrek and Artie bonding over their Daddy Issues.
- And it works so well that when Shrek pulls a Break His Heart to Save Him, Artie is genuinely heartbroken but almost immediately rallies to save Shrek when Puss and Donkey inform him that it was all a trick to save his life.
- The way Donkey and his children greet each other is so cute.
- When he plays peek-a-boo with one of Shrek and Fiona's triplets. Just adorable.
- When Shrek starts stressing about being a father after Fiona reveals that she's pregnant, Donkey tries assuring his best friend that parenthood won't ruin his life. Shrek then reveals that it's not his own life he's worried about ruining, it's his children's. He fears that he won't be a good father, especially since ogres in general aren't exactly the "nurturing" type. It is actually quite touching that Shrek wasn't worried about how much his life was going to change, but how he would treat his children.
- When he later confides in Artie, it turns out Shrek actually has valid reasons for his fears. His own father was abusive to him, and he's clearly afraid of repeating the cycle. Which just makes it that much sweeter when we see what a loving and happy father he actually becomes in the epilogue.
- Before his death, the King and Shrek address each other as "dad" and "son". Clearly, the small time they had was impactful enough for them to call each other as such.
- Even though Harold dies, he at least dies happy, surrounded by the people he loves the most.
- Shrek and Fiona at the end of the movie with their children. Despite his fears, Shrek proves to be a very good and loving father.
- When Fiona announced her pregnancy, Donkey became extremely excited. He was probably the most excited out of all of them.Donkey: I'm gonna be an uncle. I'm gonna be an uncle. I'm GONNA BE AN UNCLE!!
- It's doubly heartwarming when you realize it means Donkey considers Shrek and himself to be brothers.
- And seeing how excited Lillian is when Fiona announces her pregnancy. Considering she just lost her husband, grandchildren to dote on are what she needs.
- When everyone is having fun with the triplets, Lilian is watching Fiona carrying one of her kids and she is absolutely loving the sight of her daughter being a loving mother.
- Seeing everyone have fun with the triplets. They're already surrounded by the affection they'll no doubt have lots of growing up from their parents, grandmother, and friends.
- Seeing everyone cheer when Fiona announces her pregnancy.
- Even though Shrek is actually completely terrified by Fiona's announcement, he tries to put on a brave face and tell her that he thinks it's great. He at least loves Fiona enough to not make her feel insecure about this.
- When the princesses arrive at the play to rescue Shrek, there is a rather touching moment between Shrek and Fiona, which prompts a resounding "Aw" from the audience watching.Fiona: (kicks down the door) Hi honey. Sorry we're late. You okay?Shrek: (chuckles) Much better now that you're here.
- After the play is disrupted and Charming is defeated, Shrek tells Fiona his confidence in Artie as a king. Fiona assures him that he would have been too. He smiles and rubs her pregnant stomach saying, "I have something much more important in mind." Shrek is now actually looking forward to the birth of their children.
- During Prince Charming's siege of the Kingdom and attacks the castle, the Fairy Tale crew barricade the door and stay behind just so Fiona and the other Princesses can escape safely, with Gingy even stated that they have to protect the baby.
- A small thing, but the fact that when Shrek appears onstage during the play, there are people who start cheering for him (before being shot by arrows) even though he is obviously the villain in the play. It just shows how far he's come since the first movie.
- Heck, from the first play we see with Charming, as soon as the actor who comes in with a poorly made ogre costume, clearly made to be Shrek, everyone in the room cheers. Shrek truly became a local celebrity to the people of Far Far Away.
- Charming keeps a picture of his dead Fairy Godmother in his back alley dressing room, showing that Even Bad Men Love Their Mamas.
- While it turns out to a dream (read: nightmare), it begins with Shrek waking up to arrive back at his home after being away for a long time.
- When Harold dies, Shrek is very attentive to Fiona and comforts her.
- Near the end, the cyclops bouncer of The Poison Apple is playing with his young daughter and says warmly, "To think a monster like me could have a little girl as beautiful as her", which helps Shrek feel less worried about becoming a father.
- Fridge-Heartwarming: When Artie convinces all the villains to think of what else they would be if they weren't villains, Captain Hook brings up that his particular hobby is growing petunias and commenting on how lovely they are. In any other scenario, Captain Hook wouldn't dare imagine doing anything that didn't further his revenge on Peter Pan. Yet, there's something strangely wholesome about James Hook realizing he can have a life, not just beyond being a villain, but also beyond revenge.
- A small and humorous moment — after Shrek attempts to catch Artie from the joust fields, he is stopped by a girl who earlier scoffed at him when being asked questions. Why is she there? She's trying to convince Shrek to take her friend to the upcoming dance, with said girl, in the background, shyly approaching them with encouragement from other friends. It's pretty sweet gesture from a friend, even though she's a minor character.
- A subtle one — when Shrek thinks he woke up from his nightmare, he immediately calls for Donkey. And when he is fully awake, and Donkey starts annoyingly singing, Shrek snaps and ask him to get to the part of making him feel better. These separate but connected moments show how Shrek has come to emotionally rely on Donkey, showing their strong bond.
