Minions (film)

Minions is a 2015 American animated comedy film directed by Pierre Coffin and Kyle Balda and written by Brian Lynch. Produced by Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment, and distributed by Universal, it is a prequel and spin-off to Despicable Me (2010) and the third installment in the Despicable Me franchise. Coffin voices the titular characters (including Kevin, Stuart, and Bob), starring alongside Sandra Bullock, Jon Hamm, Michael Keaton, Allison Janney, Steve Coogan and Jennifer Saunders, with Geoffrey Rush as the narrator. In the film, the Minions search for their replaceable evil boss after, one-by-one, accidentally killing all their past leaders throughout history.

Minions debuted in London on June 11, 2015, and was released in the United States on July 10. It received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the animation, voice acting, and score, but criticized the character development and humor, which some called unfunny and inappropriate. Coffin has also expressed displeasure in the final film. The film grossed $1.159 billion worldwide, finishing its theatrical run as the fifth-highest-grossing film of 2015 and the second-highest-grossing animated film of all time. It also became the highest-grossing film produced by Illumination until it was surpassed by The Super Mario Bros. Movie in 2023. A sequel, Minions: The Rise of Gru, was released in 2022, while a third film is scheduled for 2026.