Minions is an American film series produced by Illumination. It is a spin-off to the Despicable Me franchise, focusing on the origins of Gru's Minions. Like the original franchise, it is produced by Illumination and distributed by its parent company Universal Pictures. Despite receiving mixed reviews, the series has been commercially successful, with the first installment, Minions, being the first non-Disney animated film to pass the one billion mark at the box office.
Feature films
+ Film Release date Director(s) Screenwriter(s) Producers Minions Pierre Coffin and Kyle Balda Brian Lynch Chris Meledandri and Janet Healy Minions: The Rise of Gru Kyle Balda Matthew Fogel Chris Meledandri, Janet Healy and Chris Renaud Minions & Monsters Pierre Coffin Brian Lynch and Pierre Coffin Chris Meledandri and Bill Ryan
Minions (2015)
The Minions, described as the oldest beings in the universe, search for the most evil master they can possibly serve. They eventually come across Scarlet Overkill, a popular villianess who hires them to steal St Edward's Crown.
Minions debuted in London on June 11, 2015, and was released in the United States on July 10.
Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022)
An eleven-year-old Gru plans to become a supervillain with the help of his Minions, which leads to a showdown with a malevolent team, the Vicious 6.
Minions: The Rise of Gru debuted at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on June 13, 2022, and was released in the United States on July 1.
Minions & Monsters (2026)
In the 1920s, the Minions aim to find monsters to cast in their monster movie.
Minions & Monsters was released on July 1, 2026 after initially being set for release on June 30, 2027.
Short films
Cro Minion (2015) Released on the Minions DVD and Blu-ray.
Two caveman Minions look after a cave baby while their boss goes to find a bull to eat for lunch. But it is harder than the Minions think.
Competition (2015) Released on the Minions DVD and Blu-ray.
Two Minions challenge themselves to numerous attacks, ending up on the lab's conveyor belt in the process.
Binky Nelson Unpacified (2015) Released on the Minions DVD and Blu-ray.
The Nelsons' youngest son Binky, having lost his pacifier after a successful robbery at a museum, sets out on a mission to retrieve it. Notably, it is the first mini-movie to not star the Minions or feature them in any capacity.
Minions & Monsters (2021) Aired on NBC on June 11, 2021 and included in the Minions: The Rise of Gru DVD and Blu-ray.
A rookie Minion joins other Minions in a tabletop role-playing game.
Post Modern Minion (2022) Released on the Minions: The Rise of Gru DVD and Blu-ray.
When a Minion crashes into an art gallery, an art critic praises his creation and he becomes an overnight celebrity.
Other media Television specials Minions Holiday Special (2020) The first TV special, Minions Holiday Special, is a half-hour compilation of Minions mini-movies, containing Santa's Little Helpers, Training Wheels, Puppy, and Minion Scouts. Additionally, the special includes holiday-themed interstitials featuring characters from Illumination's The Secret Life of Pets and Sing franchises. The special aired on NBC on November 27, 2020.
Miranda Cosgrove, who voices Margo in the films, provides narration between the short segments.
Digital series Saturday Morning Minions is a comedy slapstick cartoon. It debuted in the United States on Illumination's social media on June 9, 2021, released weekly on Saturdays, and consists of 40 episodes. The series features a 2D animation style. Who's Who was released on TikTok and subsequently on YouTube.
Outside media Video game A free-to-play mobile game developed by Electronic Arts (otherwise known as EA), titled Minions Paradise, was released in the summer of 2015. Playing as Phil, players will help Minions design and build their own utopia set in a tropical environment. The game was removed from the App Store on May 22, 2017.
Theme park attractions Universal Studios Florida features an entire Minion Land with a moving-walkway shooter attraction titled Villain-Con: Minion Blast. The attraction is also at Universal Studios Japan.
In 2026, Universal Kids Resort will include a themed land based on the Despicable Me franchise, known as Minions vs Minions: Bello Bay Club. The area will contain a river rapids ride.
Cast and characters
Character Main films Minions Minions: The Rise of Gru Minions & Monsters 2015 2022 2026Introduced in Minions Minions Pierre Coffin Felonious Gru Sr. Steve Carell Steve Carell Dr. Nefario Russell Brand Romesh Ranganathan Marlena Gru Julie Andrews Scarlett Overkill Sandra Bullock Herb Overkill Jon Hamm colspan="2" Elizabeth II Jennifer Saunders colspan="2" Walter Nelson Michael Keaton colspan="2" Madge Nelson Allison Janney colspan="2" Tina Nelson Katy Mixon colspan="2" Walter Jr. Michael Beattie colspan="2" Binky Nelson colspan="2" Narrator Geoffrey Rush colspan="2" Introduced in Minions: The Rise of Gru Wild Knuckles Alan Arkin Belle Bottom Taraji P. Henson Jean-Claude Van Damme Lucy Lawless Svengeance Dolph Lundgren Stronghold Danny Trejo Master Chow Michelle Yeoh Biker RZA Mr. Perkins Will Arnett Silas Ramsbottom Steve Coogan Introduced in Minions & Monsters Goomi colspan="2" Trey Parker Phillips colspan="2" Bobby Moynihan Howard colspan="2" Phil LaMarr Dort colspan="2" Jesse Eisenberg Olivia H. colspan="2" Allison Janney Max colspan="2" Christoph Waltz Debbie colspan="2" Zoey Deutch Frank Bright colspan="2" Jeff Bridges Elwood Bright colspan="2" George Lucas colspan="2" George Lucas Agnes Gru colspan="2" Madison Polan
Crew Role Films Minions Minions: The Rise of Gru Minions & Monsters Director(s) Pierre CoffinKyle Balda Kyle BaldaBrad AblesonJonathan del Val Pierre CoffinPatrick Delage Producer(s) Chris MeledandriJanet Healy Chris MeledandriJanet HealyChris Renaud Chris MeledandriBill Ryan Executive Producer(s) Chris Renaud Brett HoffmanLatifa Ouaouhttps://deadline.com/2022/01/paramount-nickelodeon-animation-hires-latifa-ouaou-eryk-casemiro-1234916711/ Brian LynchChris Renaud Writer(s) Brian Lynch Matthew FogelBrian LynchMatthew Fogel Brian LynchPierre Coffin Composer(s) Heitor Pereira John Powell Editor(s) Claire Dodgson Gregory Perler Studio(s) Illumination Distributor(s) Universal Pictures
Reception Box office performance
Film U.S. release date Box office gross All-time ranking Budget U.S. and Canada Other territories Worldwide U.S. and Canada Worldwide Minions $336,045,770 $823,352,627 $1,159,398,397 74 26 $74,000,000 Minions: The Rise of Gru $370,549,695 $569,933,000 $940,482,695 57 66 $80,000,000 Minions & Monsters $183,161,980 $335,862,124 $519,024,104 $85,000,000 Total $ $ $ $239,000,000
Critical and public response
Film Critical Public Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic CinemaScore Minions 56 (35 reviews) Minions: The Rise of Gru 56 (41 reviews) Minions & Monsters 89% (182 reviews) 70 (30 reviews)
Accolades Minions was nominated for BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film in 2016.
References