Minions & Monsters is the next big movie in the Despicable Me franchise, and the new Minions adventure arrives in theaters on July 1, 2026. As the third Minions spinoff and the seventh film overall, it looks set to be another major animated hit for Illumination.
Minions & Monsters Release Date
Minions & Monsters arrives in theaters on July 1, 2026, making it one of Illumination’s biggest animated releases of the summer.
READ NEXT: New ‘Gremlins’ Movie In the Works With Chris Columbus Returning
Minions & Monsters Plot: What Is the Movie About?
Minions & Monsters takes the franchise back to 1920s Hollywood for a monster-filled adventure unlike anything the series has done before.
Unlike most films in the franchise, Minions & Monsters takes place entirely in the 1920s. The setting for the film is early Hollywood, where the Minions are working as background extras and want to break into the industry to become proper movie stars. To achieve this, the mischievous trio attempts to make their own monster movie and inadvertently releases real monsters into the world when they wrongly apply a spell from a magical book that they found. With crazy creatures unleashed on an unsuspecting world, the minions will have to band together to bring the beasts under control, save the planet, and rectify their mistakes.
Minions & Monsters Cast: Who Is Returning?
Bob, Kevin, and Stuart are back, and Pierre Coffin once again voices the Minions while also directing the film. The official voice cast also includes Allison Janney, Christoph Waltz, Jeff Bridges, Jesse Eisenberg, Zoey Deutch, Bobby Moynihan, Phil LaMarr, and Trey Parker.
While Gru does not appear to be the focus this time, Minions & Monsters is clearly introducing a wave of new characters to carry the story. Brian Lynch and Pierre Coffin wrote the film, with Coffin also returning to direct.
READ NEXT: Jumanji 4: Everything We Know So Far About the Next Adventure
Why Minions & Monsters Could Be a Huge Box Office Hit
Now, let’s pause the facts for a little history lesson. The Despicable Me franchise, through its six already released films, has grossed more than $5 billion in worldwide theatrical receipts alone. Barring the first film, each subsequent film has made close to or over a billion dollars. Based on the franchise’s track record, Minions & Monsters looks likely to become another major box office success
The franchise remains endearingly popular and continues to rival some of the biggest animated franchises over at Disney in mass appeal. Thus, Universal has the right to keep churning out one of these flicks once every three years or so.
READ NEXT: Will There Be a National Treasure 3?
Minions & Monsters Trailer Breakdown
The first Minions & Monsters trailer reveals a 1920s Hollywood setting, a monster-movie storyline, and plenty of chaotic new creatures. Minions & Monsters was announced in 2024 and was slated to have a release date of summer 2027.
However, unexplained delays with the other Universal tentpole, Shrek 5, meant that Minions & Monsters were brought forward a whole year. The first trailer dropped a few weeks ago and opens with the Minions playing extras in a battle scene against Viking-like warriors for a French director, before showing them putting together storyboards for their own monster movie. They then discover a spell book, and in an attempt to resurrect a giant, scary monster for their film, they manage to summon a small, Cthulhu-like green creature instead.
This new character takes them to a mysterious island where all sorts of wild creatures lurk. The final few seconds show the monsters unleashed in Hollywood and the pandemonium and destruction that follows.
READ NEXT: New Maze Runner Movie Confirmed: Sequel Plans, Returning Cast Rumors, and Story Details Explained
What the Trailer Reveals About the New Movie
Judging by this first look, Minions & Monsters is expected to be a fantastic child-friendly blockbuster. The film looks visually vibrant, the Minions have never looked better, and the comedy looks broad enough to entertain both kids and adults.
The franchise’s new monster characters should go down well with audiences. The new characters will also serve as a nice counterbalance to the absence of Gru and company from the movie.
READ NEXT: Men in Black 5: Sony Developing a New Sequel — Will Will Smith Return?
Who Is the Villain in Minions & Monsters?
One of the biggest mysteries surrounding Minions & Monsters is who, or what, the true villain will be. Universal might be saving the bad guy for the film itself, as revealing it beforehand might ruin a good surprise. Or there may not be a single villain at all, with the Minions instead forced to deal with the chaos they created
Whatever ends up being the case, it is nice that Universal has not revealed everything in the trailer and is keeping a few surprises for the film itself.
READ NEXT: Eragon Reboot: Disney+ Series Update and What We Know So Far
Why the Despicable Me Formula Still Works
Another unique aspect of the Despicable Me films is that they do not have massive pre-release hoopla (like Marvel or Star Wars). Instead, the audience always shows up to these films upon release, so people are a little shocked when each entry in the franchise makes a good amount of money.
The Despicable Me films, like those of Pixar, are not narrative and thematic masterpieces; the audience here knows exactly what to expect, and they show up along with their kids to have a good time. Universal is aware of this and thus does not change the formula at all. Universal knows exactly what works, so there is little reason to change a formula that continues to deliver massive box office results.
READ NEXT: KPop Demon Hunters 2: Release Date, Cast, Plot & Netflix Sequel Updates
Final Thoughts on Minions & Monsters
Minions & Monsters looks set to deliver the same mix of comedy, chaos, and family-friendly fun that made the Despicable Me franchise such a huge success. With its fresh 1920s setting, new monster characters, and the Minions back in the spotlight, this has all the ingredients to become one of summer 2026’s biggest animated hits.
READ NEXT: Transformers 8 Rumors: Michael Bay, Shia LaBeouf & Megan Fox Reportedly Returning for New Movie
Minions & Monsters FAQ
When does Minions & Monsters come out?
Minions & Monsters will be released in theaters on July 1, 2026.
Who is in the cast of Minions & Monsters?
The film features Bob, Kevin, and Stuart, with Pierre Coffin returning alongside a cast that includes Allison Janney, Christoph Waltz, Jeff Bridges, Jesse Eisenberg, Zoey Deutch, Bobby Moynihan, Phil LaMarr, and Trey Parker.
What is Minions & Monsters about?
The film follows the Minions in 1920s Hollywood as they try to make their own monster movie and accidentally unleash real monsters into the world.
