So, you’re looking for the Minions. Honestly, it’s a bit of a moving target these days because streaming rights are basically a game of musical chairs played by billion-dollar corporations. If you’re trying to figure out where can you watch Despicable Me, the answer depends heavily on which specific movie you’re hunting for and exactly which month it is. Universal Pictures, the studio behind Gru and his yellow henchmen, has some pretty specific deals that shuffle these films between Peacock, Netflix, and various cable-owned platforms. It’s annoying. I get it.
The Peacock and Netflix Tug-of-War
Right now, the most reliable spot for the franchise is Peacock. Because Universal owns Illumination—the animation house that birthed the series—Peacock is the "home base." However, there’s a weird quirk in how these movies cycle through platforms. You’ve probably noticed that one day Despicable Me 2 is on your Netflix "Continue Watching" list, and the next day it’s just... gone. That’s not a glitch. It’s the result of a massive 2021 licensing deal.
Basically, Universal has a "pay-one window" agreement. New theatrical releases go to Peacock for the first four months after their theatrical run. Then, they hop over to Netflix for ten months. Finally, they loop back to Peacock for the last four months of that initial window. If you’re trying to find the 2024 hit Despicable Me 4, this is exactly the cycle it follows. If it isn't on Peacock, check Netflix. If it isn't on Netflix, it's definitely back on Peacock.
It’s a bit of a circus.
What about the original trilogy?
The older films—Despicable Me (2010), Despicable Me 2 (2013), and Despicable Me 3 (2017)—are less predictable. They often live on Peacock, but they also get licensed out to streamers like Max or even Hulu for short bursts to drum up cash. If you have a cable subscription or a live TV streamer like Fubo or YouTube TV, you can often find them on "On Demand" via channels like USA Network or FX.
Checking the specific status of the first movie today usually points you toward Peacock’s premium tier. You aren’t going to find it on the free version of Peacock anymore. Those days are mostly over. The "Free with Ads" era of premium animation has tightened up significantly as these companies try to claw back revenue.
Digital Purchase: The Only Way to Stop Checking
If you’re tired of the "where can you watch Despicable Me" search every time your kid (or your own inner child) wants to see Vector get stranded on the moon, buying is the only permanent fix. Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV (iTunes), Vudu (now Fandango at Home), and Google Play all sell the movies.
Prices usually hover around $14.99 for 4K UHD versions, but here is a pro tip: watch for the "Illumination 3-Movie Collection" or "6-Movie Collection" bundles. During holiday sales or whenever a new Minions movie hits theaters, these bundles often drop to $20 or $30. It’s way cheaper than buying them individually. Plus, if you use a service like Movies Anywhere, you can link your accounts. Buy it on Amazon, watch it on your Apple TV app. It’s one of the few pieces of tech that actually works like it’s supposed to.
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International Streaming: A Different World
Everything I just said changes the second you cross a border. In the UK, the Despicable Me movies often pop up on Sky Cinema or NOW. In Canada, they’ve been known to hang out on Crave.
Netflix’s international libraries are notoriously inconsistent with these films. One region might have the entire trilogy, while another only has the Minions spin-offs. This is why people get so frustrated with Google results; what works in New York doesn't work in London or Toronto.
Why isn’t it on Disney Plus?
This is a common point of confusion. People see "big budget animation" and instinctively open Disney+. But Gru isn't a Disney character. He belongs to NBCUniversal. You won't find him rubbing shoulders with Mickey Mouse or Elsa unless there’s some catastrophic corporate merger in the future that we should all probably be afraid of.
Actionable Steps to Find Your Stream
Don't waste twenty minutes scrolling through apps.
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- Use JustWatch or ScreenHits TV. These are search engines specifically for streaming. Type in "Despicable Me," and it will tell you exactly which platform has it in your specific country right this second. It even distinguishes between what’s "free" with a subscription and what requires a rental fee.
- Check your "Rewards" programs. If you’re an Xfinity or Cox customer, you often get Peacock Premium for free or at a massive discount, which solves the Despicable Me problem immediately.
- Check the library. Seriously. Most local libraries carry the DVDs or Blu-rays. It’s old school, but it’s 100% free and doesn't require a high-speed internet connection or a monthly sub.
- Look for the 4K Blu-ray. If you care about image quality, the streaming versions of these movies are heavily compressed. The colors in Despicable Me 3 specifically pop way more on a physical disc than they ever will on a standard Netflix stream.
The landscape for where can you watch Despicable Me will keep shifting as licensing contracts expire and renew. Your best bet is to keep a Peacock subscription active or just bite the bullet and buy the digital "Permanent" copy when it goes on sale. It beats the monthly "where did it go?" scavenger hunt.