DreamWorks Animation's “Shrek Forever After,” a 3D four-quel in the lovable-ogre franchise, is expected to three-peat atop the domestic box office with $25 million-$30 million this weekend. The PG-rated film underperformed expectations with a $70 million bow two sessions ago but held strong during its holiday-stretched sophomore session and faces relatively light competition this frame despite four wide openers.

20th Century Fox unleashes the family comedy “Marmaduke,” Lionsgate looses the action comedy “Killers,” and Universal debuts the R-rated comedy “Get Him to the Greek”; each is likely to be held to the teen millions through Sunday. Also opening Friday is Warner Bros.' sci-fi thriller “Splice,” with weekend prospects of $8 million-$10 million.

“Shrek Forever” might hurt “Marmaduke,” a live-action romp based on the titular comic-strip canine. Executives had expected more urgent prerelease interest, but tracking data on family pictures often runs a bit light, and a late surge of enthusiasm is possible.