All Minions and Despicable Me Movies: The year’s biggest and funniest blockbuster is here, and it’s bringing the giggles. Gru and his hilarious band of mischievous minions plot the craziest crime of the century in their quest to be named “World’s Greatest Villain.”
Despicable Me is one of the highest-grossing and most-loved animated film series of all time, and the titular Minions are a big reason why. The Despicable Me franchise, created by Sergio Pablos, Cinco Paul, and Ken Daurio, has become one of the most beloved animated series of all time. Produced by Illumination and distributed by Universal Pictures, the franchise follows the story of Gru, a former supervillain turned secret agent, his three adopted daughters, and his mischievous yet adorable Minions. Since its debut in 2010, the franchise has expanded into a multi-film series with both sequels and spin-offs, making it essential to know the correct viewing order.
If you’re wondering how to watch the Minions Movies in Order alongside the Despicable Me Movies in Order, you’ll need to follow a mix of chronological and release-based approaches. The main series includes Despicable Me (2010), Despicable Me 2 (2013), Despicable Me 3 (2017), and Despicable Me 4 (2024), while the Minions’ backstory is explored in Minions (2015), Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022), and an upcoming Minions 3 (2026). Whether you’re revisiting Gru’s world or experiencing it for the first time, watching in the right order ensures a full understanding of the story’s evolution.
And so, you may be wondering, What is the best order to watch the Despicable Me movies in? If you want to watch all of the Despicable Me films in chronological order, this is the best list to use as a reference.
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What is the order of the Despicable Me / Minion movies?
This is a recommended viewing order for all of Universal Pictures’ Minions and Despicable Me films, both in terms of when they were released and how they developed over time.
Despicable Me and Minions Movies in release Order
- Despicable Me (2010)
- Despicable Me 2 (2013)
- Minions (2015)
- Despicable Me 3 (2017)
- Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022)
- Despicable Me 4 (2024)
Minions and Despicable Me Movies in Chronological Order
- Minions (2015)
- Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022)
- Despicable Me (2010)
- Despicable Me 2 (2013)
- Despicable Me 3 (2017)
- Despicable Me 4 (2024)
Every Despicable Me and Minions Movies in Order to Watch (Chronologically)
1. Minions (2015)
The prequel to the original Despicable Me and the third film in the series. In the 2015 film Minions, the titular characters, yellow pill-shaped creatures that have existed since the beginning of time, evolving from single-celled organisms into beings that exist only to serve history’s most evil masters, are the focus of the story.
The most heinous criminals in history have had minions at their service since the beginning of time. When their latest catastrophic misstep eliminates their evil leader, the Minions spiral into a dark depression. Due to the impending doom of the tribe, three unlikeable heroes named Kevin, Stuart, and Bob set out on a quest to locate a new tribal leader. When our three heroes discover Scarlet Overkill as the next possible master, they will face their greatest challenge yet: preventing the end of Minionkind.
2. Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022)
This is the fifth film in the Despicable Me series and the follow-up to the spin-off prequel Minions (2015). The story continues with the Minion’s decision that Gru will make a good leader and their subsequent decision to start following him.
In the film, Gru is a suburban kid growing up in the midst of the ’70s, with all its feathered hair and flared jeans. A devoted follower of the supervillain supergroup Vicious 6, Gru plots to corrupt himself to the point where he can join the group. Thank goodness his devoted followers, the Minions, are there to help him cause chaos. Kevin, Stuart, Bob, and Otto, a new Minion with braces and a desperate need to please, work with Gru to construct their first lair, test out their first weapons, and carry out their first missions, all while demonstrating their combined prowess.
After legendary fighter Wild Knuckles is ousted as leader of the Vicious 6, Gru applies to join the group and is given an interview. After outsmarting them, Gru finds himself the mortal enemy of the epicenter of evil, and things go downhill from there. When on the run, Gru seeks advice from Wild Knuckles, an unlikely source, and learns the hard way that even villains need friends.
3. Despicable Me (2010)
Despicable Me, a 2010 American computer-animated comedy film produced by Illumination Entertainment (as its debut film), follows a supervillain named Gru as he plans to steal the moon while adopting three orphan girls.
In the film, Gru takes pleasure in everything that is evil. It doesn’t matter who tries to stop him because he’s prepared for them all with his arsenal of shrink rays, freeze rays, and battle-ready vehicles for land and air combat.
Up until the day that he comes face to face with the enormous will of three little orphan girls, who look at him and see something that no one else has ever seen: the possibility of a father. The most dangerous criminal in the history of the world has just faced his toughest adversaries: three young girls by the names of Margo, Edith, and Agnes.
4. Despicable Me 2 (2013)
In the highly anticipated follow-up to the global phenomenon, we see the return of the beloved characters from the first film, including Gru, his cute daughters, and the ever-naughty Minions, along with a host of new, unforgettable faces. The Anti-Villain League calls on Gru just as he’s given up being evil in favor of being a good parent.Gru, along with the wildly unpredictable Minions, is partnered with secret agent Lucy Wilde and must figure out how to maintain his cover while also fulfilling his responsibilities as a father.
5. Despicable Me 3 (2017)
Despicable Me 3 is the next chapter in the adventures of Gru, Lucy, their cute little girls Margo, Edith, and Agnes, and the Minions. In the midst of a profound crisis of self-identity, Gru is fired from the Anti-Villain League for failing to capture Balthazar Bratt, the latest villain to threaten humanity. One former supervillain will rediscover how great it is to be bad when a stranger reveals that Gru has a long-lost twin brother who desperately wants to follow in their twin’s despicable footsteps.
6. Despicable Me 4
“Despicable Me 4” (2024) continues the beloved animated franchise with thrilling action, humor, and heart. Directed by Chris Renaud, the film follows former supervillain-turned-AVL agent Gru as he relocates his family to escape his vengeful rival, Maxime Le Mal. Featuring returning voice actors like Steve Carell and Kristen Wiig alongside newcomers Will Ferrell and Joey King, the movie explores Gru’s struggles as a father while introducing the Mega Minions. Despite mixed reviews, it grossed $971 million worldwide, proving the franchise’s enduring appeal. With a mix of nostalgia, fresh storylines, and comedic chaos, “Despicable Me 4” continues the series’ legacy of animated excellence.
How many Despicable Me Movies are there?
There have been FIVE (5) installments in the Despicable Me film series. First released in 2010, Despicable Me has since spawned two sequels, Despicable Me 2 (2013) and Despicable Me 3 (2015). (2017). Despicable Me spinoff Minions (2015) and its sequel Minions: The Rise of Gru (2017) are the two films in the Despicable Me film series that feature the yellow characters (2022). A number of short films, a television special, a number of video games, and a theme park attraction are also part of the franchise.
All Despicable Me Movies in Order of Release Date
The release order of the Despicable Me films isn’t strictly linear, but it’s still easy to follow. In 2010, a year before Steve Carell left The Office to pursue film acting full-time, the first animated film was released. Between the second and third films in the core trilogy, the Minions prequel was released due to the overwhelming success of the Minions characters. Despite being a sequel to the Minion films, Minions: The Rise of Gru is set before Gru’s failed moon heist in Despicable Me. As previously reported, Despicable Me 4 will hit theaters in July 2024, as confirmed by Illumination.
Here is the list of Despicable Me films in order, they were released. (U.S. Release Date)
Despicable Me Order to Watch:
1. Despicable Me — July 9, 2010
2. Despicable Me 2 — July 3, 2013
3. Despicable Me 3 — June 30, 2017
4. Despicable Me 4 — July 3, 2024
Prequel series: Minions Movies in Order
1. Minions — July 10, 2015
2. Minions: The Rise of Gru — July 1, 2022
Where to watch Despicable Me Movies?
Want to watch a series of computer-animated comedies about Gru, a former supervillain turned family man, husband, and secret agent, and his army of yellow-furred minions. Where, however, can I view the Despicable Me films in chronological order? You can watch the Despicable Me movies in chronological order by renting or buying them through Amazon Prime.
Is Despicable Me 4 coming out?
New adventures for Gru and the Minions are in the works for Despicable Me 4, but they won’t be ready for some time. In February of 2022, Universal Pictures and Illumination announced that they would be making a fourth Despicable Me film, will hit theaters in July 2024 (making a total of six if you count the two Minions films).
Despicable Me Film Series Box office performance
The Despicable Me film series has been an enormous box office success, making it one of the most lucrative animated film franchises of all time. Here is an overview of the box office performance for each film in the series:
|
Film
|
U.S. release date
|
Box office gross |
Budget
|
||
| U.S. and Canada | Other territories | Worldwide | |||
| Despicable Me | July 9, 2010 | $251,557,985 | $291,600,000 | $543,157,985 | $69,000,000 |
| Despicable Me 2 | July 3, 2013 | $368,065,385 | $602,700,620 | $970,766,005 | $76,000,000 |
| Despicable Me 3 | June 30, 2017 | $264,624,300 | $770,175,831 | $1,034,800,131 | $80,000,000 |
| Despicable Me 4 | July 3, 2024 | $361,004,205 | $608,175,801 | $969,180,006 | $100,000,000 |
| Main series | $1,214,379,375 | $2,141,527,451 | $3,355,906,826 | $325,000,000 | |
| Minions | July 10, 2015 | $336,045,770 | $823,352,627 | $1,159,398,397 | $74,000,000 |
| Minions: The Rise of Gru | July 1, 2022 | $369,695,210 | $569,933,000 | $939,628,210 | $80,000,000 |
| Prequel series | $705,740,980 | $1,393,285,627 | $2,099,026,607 | $154,000,000 | |
| Total | $1,920,120,355 | $3,534,813,078 | $5,454,933,433 | $479,000,000 | |
The remarkable success of the Despicable Me franchise has not only delighted audiences but also solidified its position as a box office juggernaut in the animation genre. With such an impressive track record, it’s no surprise that fans eagerly await the release of “Minions 3” to continue the series’ box office dominance.
Conclusion:
The Despicable Me franchise has captivated audiences worldwide with its mix of humor, heart, and quirky characters, especially the beloved Minions. From Gru’s transformation from villain to hero to the Minions’ chaotic adventures, the series continues to expand its universe with engaging storytelling. Despicable Me 4 (2024) adds a fresh twist with new villains and family dynamics, while a third Minions film is set for 2026. With over $5 billion in global earnings, the franchise remains a dominant force in animation. Whether through laughter or nostalgia, Despicable Me consistently delivers entertainment for all ages, solidifying its cultural impact. For More: Wikipedia.org
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