'Despicable Me' Franchise Crosses $5B Globally as Next 'Minions' Film is Announced
From box office hits to theme park adventures, 'Despicable Me' has grown to be an unparalleled franchise in our homes and on the big screen. With 'Minions 3' just announced for June 2027, the beloved characters show no sign of slowing down.
July 12, 2024
More than ten years after their creation, the Minions have become the most iconic animated characters of their generation. Globally recognized and beloved by fans of all ages, they have propelled Illumination’s Despicable Me and Minions to a global box office of over $5 billion becoming the only animated franchise to ever reach the milestone.
Despicable Me 4 and the Minions' Historic Theatrical Success
This year’s Despicable Me 4 confirmed that the Minions continue to rule the July 4 holiday weekend with the film opening as the No. 1 film globally earning $230 million worldwide. The film brings back Steve Carell as Gru, a reformed supervillain, and pits him against Will Ferrell as Maxime Le Mal, a former schoolmate turned bad guy and rival.
The franchise includes Minions, one of the highest-grossing animated films of all time, as well as the Academy Award®- nominated Despicable Me 2 and Despicable Me 3, which each made more than $1 billion at the global box office. In 2022, Minions: The Rise of Gru shattered box office records with the highest grossing July 4th opening weekend in U.S. history and became the #1 film internationally and worldwide.
Fresh off the worldwide blockbuster success of the summer’s funniest comedy, Despicable Me 4, Illumination expands its joyful animated universe with a sensational new chapter in the biggest global animated franchise in history: Minions 3.
Announcing Minions 3 (June 2027)
Written by Brian Lynch (Minions, The Secret Life of Pets films), Minions 3 will be directed by Academy Award® nominee Pierre Coffin, a director of the first three Despicable Me films and the first Minions film. Coffin has also provided the voice for the Minions since their film debut in 2010. The film will be produced by Illumination’s founder and CEO Chris Meledandri and by Bill Ryan (executive producer, The Super Mario Bros. Movie).
The franchise includes Minions, one of the highest-grossing animated films of all time, as well as the Academy Award®- nominated Despicable Me 2 and Despicable Me 3, which each made more than $1 billion at the global box office. In 2022, Minions: The Rise of Gru shattered box office records with the highest grossing July 4th opening weekend in U.S. history and became the #1 film internationally and worldwide.
About Illumination
Illumination, founded by Chris Meledandri in 2007, is one of the entertainment industry’s leading producers of event-animated films, including the record-breaking The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Dr. Seuss' The Lorax, Dr. Seuss' The Grinch and The Secret Life of Pets and Sing films.
Illumination’s library includes three of the top 10 animated films of all time. Illumination’s iconic, beloved franchises—infused with memorable and distinct characters, global appeal and cultural relevance—have grossed $10 billion worldwide. Illumination has an exclusive financing and distribution partnership with Universal Pictures.
