Honestly, if you told someone in 2010 that a movie about a bald guy with a thick European accent and a bunch of yellow Tic-Tacs would become the biggest animated franchise ever, they’d probably have laughed you out of the room. Yet, here we are in 2026. The Minions are basically the new Mickey Mouse, and Gru is the dad everyone weirdly relates to.
It's been a wild ride. We've seen Gru go from stealing the moon to changing diapers, and the quality has... well, it’s varied. Some of these movies are genuine masterpieces of physical comedy. Others? They sorta feel like a fever dream fueled by candy and fart guns.
If you’re planning a marathon or just trying to figure out which one to skip on family movie night, here is the definitive list of Despicable Me movies ranked from the "meh" to the magnificent.
The Bottom of the Barrel (Sort Of)
6. Despicable Me 4 (2024)
Look, I’m not saying it’s a bad movie. It’s Illumination; the animation is crisp and the colors pop. But by the time we got to the fourth main entry, the "overstuffed piñata" critique from reviewers like those at Rotten Tomatoes really started to hit home.
You’ve got Gru Jr., you’ve got the Mega Minions (who were basically a parody of every superhero trend), and a villain named Maxime Le Mal who turns himself into a giant cockroach. It's a lot. Too much, maybe? It felt like the writers had ten different ideas for short films and just mashed them together. Kids still loved it, though. The box office numbers didn't lie—it raked in nearly a billion dollars worldwide—but critically, it’s definitely the weakest link.
5. Minions (2015)
This is the one that proved the Minions could carry a movie. Well, technically they carried it to over $1.1 billion, making it one of the most profitable movies in Universal's history.
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But as a story? It’s basically 90 minutes of slapstick. Without Gru to ground things, the "banana" jokes start to wear a little thin by the third act. Scarlet Overkill, voiced by Sandra Bullock, was a cool concept, but she didn't have that emotional core we expect from this universe. It’s a great movie to put on if you want to distract a toddler, but for adults, it's a bit of a marathon.
The Middle Ground: Where Things Get Interesting
4. Despicable Me 3 (2017)
This movie is pure chaos, but it has Trey Parker voicing Balthazar Bratt, which is inspired casting. A 1980s-themed villain who fights with bubble gum and keytar solos? Yes, please.
The main issue here was the split focus. You had Gru meeting his twin brother Dru, Lucy trying to be a mom, and the Minions going to prison. It felt scattershot. However, the 80s nostalgia and the sheer energy of the animation kept it from falling apart. It’s better than the first Minions movie because it actually tries to do something with the family dynamic, even if it feels rushed.
3. Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022)
Now we’re getting into the good stuff. This was a massive improvement over the first prequel. Setting it in the 70s gave it a "retro-chic" vibe that actually worked.
The secret sauce here was putting an 11-year-old Gru at the center. Watching him try to join the Vicious 6 and getting mentored by Wild Knuckles (voiced by the legendary Alan Arkin) gave the movie the heart it needed. Also, who can forget the #Gentleminions trend? That meme alone probably pushed this movie’s cultural relevance through the roof. It was funny, it was fast, and it didn't overstay its welcome.
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The Top Tier: The Gold Standard of Despicable Me
2. Despicable Me 2 (2013)
This is widely considered the peak of the sequels. It’s basically a spy spoof. Gru gets recruited by the Anti-Villain League, meets Lucy Wilde (Kristen Wiig is a literal treasure), and we get the introduction of the purple Evil Minions.
It’s one of those rare sequels that captures the magic of the original while expanding the world. The romance between Gru and Lucy felt earned, and "Happy" by Pharrell Williams was everywhere. Seriously, you couldn't go to a grocery store in 2013 without hearing that song. It’s fun, it’s emotional, and it has some of the best sight gags in the series.
1. Despicable Me (2010)
Nothing beats the original. It’s the only movie in the franchise that feels like a "complete" film rather than a collection of sketches.
At its core, it’s a simple story about a guy who thinks he’s a villain but realizes he’s a dad. The scene where Gru reads "The Sleepy Kittens" to Margo, Edith, and Agnes? Pure gold. It had a bit of an edge, too—remember the Bank of Evil (formerly Lehman Brothers)? That kind of smart, subtle humor disappeared a bit in the later films. It’s the foundation everything else was built on, and it holds up remarkably well 16 years later.
What Most People Get Wrong About These Movies
There’s a common misconception that the Despicable Me movies ranked by critics are the only ones worth watching. Honestly, critics often miss why these movies work. They aren't trying to be Toy Story. They’re trying to be Looney Tunes for the 21st century.
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The success comes from three things:
- Physical Humor: Slapstick is a universal language. You don't need to understand Minionese to find a Minion getting hit by a swinging door funny.
- The "Tribe" Element: Experts like Carrie Wilson-Brown have pointed out that Minions are a "blank slate." You can project anything onto them.
- Budget Control: Illumination keeps budgets around $70M–$100M, while Disney/Pixar often hits $200M. This allows them to take more visual risks and keep the "vibe" consistent without needing every movie to be a profound philosophical statement.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Rewatch
If you’re going back through the catalog, don't just watch them in order. Try these specific approaches:
- The Origin Path: Start with Minions, then The Rise of Gru, then the original Despicable Me. It makes Gru’s character arc feel much more satisfying.
- Focus on the Background: In the later movies, the best jokes are often happening in the background with the Minions while the main characters are talking.
- Check the Credits: Illumination loves putting "mini-movies" or teasers in the credits. Despicable Me 2 has some of the best interactions between the Minions and the "camera" during the roll.
The franchise isn't slowing down either—Minions 3 is already confirmed for 2027. Whether you love them or find them "grating," the Minions are here to stay.
To get the most out of the series, skip Despicable Me 4 unless you have kids who demand it, and spend your time revisiting the 2010 original. It’s a reminder that even the most "despicable" people can find their tribe.