Honestly, it’s kinda wild how a bunch of pill-shaped yellow guys who speak a mix of Spanish, French, and gibberish ended up owning the box office. You’ve seen them everywhere. Backpacks, fruit stickers, those Facebook memes your aunt posts—Minions are basically inescapable. But if you’re trying to sit down and actually watch all movies of minions in some kind of logical order, you’ll realize the timeline is a total mess.
It isn't just about one or two movies anymore. We are talking about a franchise that has officially crossed the $5 billion mark. As of early 2026, the "Despicable Me" and "Minions" universe has grown into a massive web of prequels, sequels, and "Mega" versions of characters that even the most dedicated fans struggle to keep straight.
The Chaos of the Prequels: Where it Actually Starts
If you want to be a perfectionist about it, you don't start with the movie that came out first. You have to go back to the beginning of time. Literally.
The 2015 movie Minions starts with the Big Bang. It shows these little guys evolving from single-celled organisms with one goal: serve the biggest baddie around. They serve a T-Rex, they accidentally blow up Napoleon, and they basically cause the downfall of every master they’ve ever had until they hit the 1960s. This is the "true" start of the story. Kevin, Stuart, and Bob head to Villain-Con in 1968, meet Scarlett Overkill (voiced by Sandra Bullock), and eventually run into a tiny, scarf-wearing kid named Gru.
Then you’ve got Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022). This one is set in the 1970s. It’s basically a love letter to kung-fu movies and disco. We see a 12-year-old Gru trying to join the Vicious 6. It’s also where we get the origin of Dr. Nefario and that legendary #GentleMinions TikTok trend where teens wore suits to theaters.
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Coming Soon: Minions 3
Buckle up, because the story isn't over. Minions 3 is officially on the calendar for July 1, 2026. Pierre Coffin, the man who actually provides the voices for the Minions, is back to direct. While the plot is still mostly under wraps, rumors suggest we might finally see the gap bridge closer to the original 2010 film. It was originally slated for 2027, but Universal moved it up because, let’s be real, people want more yellow mayhem sooner rather than later.
The Main Trilogy (Plus One)
Now we get into the "present day" stuff, even though the first movie is now over 15 years old.
- Despicable Me (2010): The one that started the craze. Gru wants to steal the moon, adopts three orphans (Margo, Edith, and Agnes) as part of a scheme, and ends up becoming a softie. This is the first time we see the Minions as Gru’s laboratory assistants.
- Despicable Me 2 (2013): Gru is a dad now. He gets recruited by the Anti-Villain League (AVL) and falls for Lucy Wilde. The standout here was the "Evil Minions"—those purple, fuzzy versions that ate everything in sight.
- Despicable Me 3 (2017): We meet Gru’s long-lost twin brother, Dru. It’s got a heavy 80s vibe thanks to the villain Balthazar Bratt. It was a massive hit, though some critics felt the Minion subplot (where they go to prison) felt a bit disconnected from the main family drama.
- Despicable Me 4 (2024): The newest addition to the main line. We get a new family member, Gru Jr., and the introduction of "Mega Minions." These are five Minions with superpowers—think Fantastic Four, but way more incompetent. One has laser eyes, one is made of rock, you get the idea.
Why Do These Movies Keep Breaking Records?
It’s easy to dismiss these films as "just for kids," but the numbers don't lie. Minions (2015) was the first non-Disney animated movie to hit a billion dollars.
Why? Because they’re universal.
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You don't need to speak English to understand a Minion getting hit in the face with a tuba. It’s pure slapstick comedy that works in Tokyo just as well as it works in Toledo. Plus, Illumination (the studio) keeps the budgets relatively low compared to Pixar. They spend about $70 million to $100 million per movie, while Disney often spends double that. It’s a brilliant business model.
The Watch Order Problem
If you're planning a marathon, you have two choices. You can watch them as they were released, which is how most of us experienced them. Or, you can go "Chronological."
- Minions (Set in 1968)
- Minions: The Rise of Gru (Set in 1976)
- Minions 3 (Likely set in the 80s, releasing 2026)
- Despicable Me (Set around 2010)
- Despicable Me 2
- Despicable Me 3
- Despicable Me 4
The only weird thing about watching them chronologically is the technology. Gru has a futuristic lab in the 70s, but then seems to "re-invent" stuff in the 2010 movie. It’s best not to think too hard about the logic. It’s a cartoon about yellow beans.
More Than Just the Big Screen
People often forget the "Mini-Movies." There are over 20 short films that usually come out on the Blu-rays or as theatrical openers. Some of them, like Training Wheels or Yellow is the New Black, are actually funnier than the main features because they focus entirely on the Minions' physical comedy without having to worry about a human plot.
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There’s also the Minions Holiday Special that dropped back in 2020. If you’re a completionist looking for all movies of minions, you can’t ignore these. They add a lot of flavor to the world, showing how the Minions live when Gru isn't around.
The Verdict on the Franchise
Looking at the landscape of 2026, the Minions aren't going anywhere. While some people find them annoying, there is a genuine heart to these movies. At their core, they are about a found family. Gru is a guy who didn't fit in, and he found a bunch of weirdos who were happy to work for him.
If you're looking to dive back in, start with the 2010 original. It still has the most "soul." But if you just want to laugh at something stupid for 90 minutes, Minions: The Rise of Gru is probably the peak of the franchise's energy.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check out the "Mini-Movies" collection on streaming services; they are often hidden in the "Extras" or "Trailers" sections.
- Keep an eye out for the Minions 3 trailer, which is expected to drop in late 2025.
- If you're watching with kids, the Despicable Me 4 "Mega Minions" shorts are the current fan favorites for younger audiences.