All Minions Movies in Order: Your Complete Guide to the Despicable Me Universe

They’re small, they’re yellow, they’re mischievous, and they’re utterly loyal to their evil overlord (until someone even more evil-y comes along, that is). The Minions have been an unexpected and delightfully endearing Hollywood success story. The animated adventures of the Minions have charmed all ages, giving them their own spin-off universe within the Despicable Me story.

The appeal of physical slapstick comedy, simple yet instantly relatable characters and a cheeky combination of innocence and pure naughtiness is at the root of their success. The use of ‘Minionese’ crosses language barriers, making these little yellow pests a favourite among children and adults around the world. If you’re new to the world of the Minions, where have you been? Grab a banana, settle down, and let’s take a look at the Minion movies in order.

What Is the Despicable Me Universe?

The Despicable Me franchise has been a runaway success. This animated series tells the story of Gru, a supervillain who must prove he’s still a credible threat as a ‘bad guy’. This image is shattered when he adopts three young orphans and eventually becomes a secret agent for the good guys. In the background, his tribe of Minions are ready to carry out his every wish, with the inevitable chaos and high jinks. The franchise, known for its humour and strong underlying family themes, is one of the highest-grossing animated series ever, raking in nearly $4 billion worldwide.

Despicable Me (2010): Where the Story Begins

It’s not easy being a criminal mastermind, and Gru is doing his best to convince the evil powers-that-be that he’s still as dastardly as ever. To prove it, he plans to carry out the biggest heist in history – stealing the moon. He adopts three orphans as part of his plan, but things go sideways when the little girls see him as daddy material. And to make matters worse, his Minions are almost out of control, causing chaos wherever they go. The start of the Despicable Me journey is a glossy, hilariously funny, and razor-sharp animation that naturally led to the development of the franchise. Starring Steve Carell, Jason Segel, and Russell Brand.

Despicable Me 2 (2013): Gru’s Next Adventure

When a new criminal hits town, the Anti-Villain League recruits Gru to stop him. It turns out that this new criminal is, in fact, an old adversary with a clever plan to turn Gru’s own Minions against him. In this charming tale, Gru’s family grows as he partners with Lucy and the pair falls in love. Famous for the ‘Purple Minions’ and some fabulous set pieces, DM2 is the natural progression to the storyline. Starring Steve Carell as Gru, Kristen Wiig as Lucy, and Benjamin Bratt as Eduardo Pérez.

Minions (2015): The Origins of the Minions Explained

Where did those little yellow Minions come from? From the darkest annals of history, Minions have been there, always looking for a master to serve, a tribe of feisty, rebellious little henchmen dedicated to finding and serving everyone from T. rex to Napoleon. Under the leadership of Kevin, Stuart, and Bob, they now head out once again into the world to look for a new boss. They earn a place at the side of the world’s first female supervillain, but as always, things don’t go quite according to plan. A funny and enjoyable glimpse into the Minions’ backstory, it follows the successful formula of the other Despicable Me films. Starring Sandra Bullock as the evil Scarlet Overkill, Jon Hamm as Herb Overkill, and Michael Keaton as Walter Nelson.

Despicable Me 3 (2017): Gru Meets His Twin Brother

What happens when you find out you have a twin brother who’s more successful than you, richer than you, and generally happier than you? Why, you team up with him for one last big criminal heist, all in the name of ‘family’, of course. Despicable Me 3 introduces us to Dru, Gru’s long-lost brother, who is not all he seems to be at first glance. Naturally, the Minions are on hand to mess things up even more with their shenanigans. Plenty of humour keeps this film ticking along nicely, and while it wasn’t as successful as previous outings, it adds more layers to the Minionverse and Gru’s story. Starring Julie Andrews as Gru’s mother, Steve Coogan as Fritz, and Pierre Coffin as the Minions (all of them!).

Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022): How Gru Became a Supervillain

Minions: The Rise of Gru takes us even further back, to the flamboyant 1970s and a young Gru growing up in the suburbs and fanboying like crazy over the supervillain group the Vicious 6. Mentored by legendary ‘Wild Knuckles’ (played by Alan Arkin), Gru outsmarts the Vicious 6 and suddenly finds himself on the receiving end of their attention, and not in a good way. As always, the Minions are there with their own unique brand of mayhem. This is a cheeky, heartwarming film with plenty of family-friendly themes. Starring Steve Carell as Gru and Pierre Coffin as the Minions.

Despicable Me 4 (2024): The Latest Chapter in the Franchise

Settling into family life and with a new baby in the house, Gru, Lucy, and the girls are happy and content. Then they’re told that evil Maxime Le Mal has escaped from prison and is out for revenge against Gru, forcing the family into hiding. As always, the Minions are on hand to add to the fun, with the Mega Minions adding a new twist to the story. Fast-paced, colourful, and hilarious, it shows a return to form for the franchise and feels fresher, closer to the old Despicable Me films. Will Ferrell joins the regulars as the supervillain Maxime.

Should You Watch the Minions Movies in Release Order or Chronological Order?

The great thing about the Despicable Me Minionverse is that they’re easy to watch as stand-alone experiences, especially the Minions film. However, watching them in chronological order gives you a better handle on Gru's story arc and how his family life develops. If you wanted to do that, you need to start with the two Minions films, then enter the four Despicable Me movies.

Who Are the Most Popular Characters in the Despicable Me Universe?

Without a doubt, those little yellow Minions are the most popular characters in the franchise. Their humour and clear personality differences make them a favourite with both kids and adults, who can often pick up on jokes that younger viewers may miss. The Minions are among the cleverest animated characters of recent years. Never underestimate the likes of Bob, Kevin, and Stuart.

Why the Minions Franchise Remains a Global Phenomenon

The universal appeal to all ages is what lies at the heart of the Minions franchise. It lets adults embrace their inner child for a couple of hours, and kids can associate with the mischievous nature of the Minions. The fast pace, bright colours, and slapstick humour in all the films keep this franchise fresh and exciting. It is, quite simply, good, old-fashioned family entertainment that everyone can enjoy. Catch the latest Minions outing at a VOX Cinemas near you.

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