Running Time: 89 minutes
This feature film from Universal Pictures and Illumination opens exclusively in cinemas and on IMAX screens July 1st, 2026.
When the animated effort Despicable Me arrived in theaters in 2010, few would have predicted the massive franchise and major spin-offs that original title would inspire. One of the original film’s most popular characters were the Minions, yellow shaped underlings who were eventually given their own standalone feature in 2015. This year sees the release of their third film, Minions & Monsters (which is the seventh title overall in the Despicable Me series). This prequel takes place in 1920 and follows one of the yellow protagonists as he sets out to make his mark in Hollywood.
Searching for an evil presence to serve, a group of Minions find themselves moving from villain to villain, only for things to go incredibly wrong. James (Pierre Coffin), who appears more interested in drawing pictures and making up stories than fulfilling his duties. He and good friend Henry find themselves on the outs with most other members in their group. When they accidentally end up in the middle of a Hollywood film shoot, interrupting director Max (Christoph Waltz), they are initially shooed away. But studio executives Frank and Elwood Bright (both voiced by Jeff Bridges) find the Minions charismatic, and the group end up as unlikely silent movie stars. That all changes when sound is introduced and the group is put out of work. While the other minions venture out to a sci-fi convention and find potential new leader Dort (Jesse Eisenberg), James and his friends focus on making their own monster movie. They raise a small green creature named Goomi (Trey Parker), who is initially friendly, but has ulterior motives.
As with recent animated sequels to major studio properties, the animation on display is a step up from previous titles. The visuals are very appealing to the eye, with the desert and Hollywood backdrops looking gorgeous (even when there is a runaway train zooming through the streets). And the same goes for many of the other environments featured in the story. The gooey and grotesque creatures, both large and small, also look impressive. This is easily the prettiest Minions movie by far, with the widescreen framing also creating a big and epic scope.
This film has a lot of film history to work with, allowing for several references to not only monster movies, but classic Hollywood cinema. Some of the gags are quite funny, including the various hit films the Minions have starred in (which are based on many familiar titles). The picture’s biggest laughs arrive when sound production becomes the Hollywood norm, and the Minions struggle with dialogue, improvising on the spot and delivering amusing outtakes for various classics. Admittedly, most children in the audience will have no recognition of the films being poked fun at, but it’ll provide a smile or two for adults in the audience.
And yet, not all is ideal within the story. It’s essentially about a Minion who wants to make a movie, and, well, not much else. In fact, there is a hyperactive, loud, unfocused and scattershot feeling to the proceedings, as the characters bolt from one situation to the next. And, when the Minions begin encountering new story figures, very little changes. Film director Max is a big part of the first half of the tale, but almost completely vanishes after the midway point. Then, Dort and suffragette Debbie (Zoey Deutch) are introduced around the halfway mark, but after a handful of scenes, the plot becomes more interested in Goomi.
As a result, none of the characters really make a lasting impression. Instead, they’re all there as an excuse for comic set pieces, and while a few are fun, most gags will fly over the heads of young audience members. And even a few of the big monster bits will be a little intense for kids. This strange narrative, which involves little in the way of character development and continually jumps around from new situation to new situation, lends a chaotic, choppy feel to the proceedings.
Minions & Monsters looks fantastic and has a handful of entertaining movie-related gags, but the story lacks character development or a strong message, and the events appear like they were cobbled together without focus. The movie can be entertaining at times, but despite all the bluster, won’t make as lasting an impression as other titles in the franchise.
