Excitement is in the air as the beloved “Despicable Me” franchise returns to theaters on Wednesday, July 3, with its newest installment, “Despicable Me 4.” Fans of Gru, his delightful daughters, and the ever-mischievous Minions are eagerly anticipating the latest adventures of their favorite characters. This time, Gru and his family face their biggest challenge yet, promising a mix of humor, heart, and high-stakes action that has defined the series. With the return of familiar faces and the introduction of new ones, “Despicable Me 4” is set to captivate audiences of all ages and continue the franchise’s legacy of family-friendly fun.
Check out the trailer for Despicable Me 4 here.
How to Watch Despicable Me 1-3 & Minions
Fans of the Despicable Me universe can catch up on the Gru and the Minions by finding the first four films in the franchise on various streaming services. Whether you have a Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, or any other compatible device, you can find out how to watch the Despicable Me movies, below.
Despicable Me (2010)
“Despicable Me” introduces us to Gru, a supervillain with dreams of stealing the moon. He adopts three orphaned girls—Margo, Edith, and Agnes—as part of his plan to infiltrate his rival’s operations but finds his icy heart melting as he grows attached to them. The film blends slapstick humor, heartfelt moments, and the chaotic antics of Gru’s Minions, culminating in Gru choosing to abandon his villainous ways to become a loving father.
As the original, “Despicable Me” received widespread acclaim for its humor, animation quality, and voice performances, particularly Steve Carell as Gru. It was praised for its original storyline and engaging characters, leading to its commercial success. The film’s Minions became a cultural phenomenon, spawning a franchise that includes sequels, spin-offs, and extensive merchandise. Audiences loved the balance of humor and heart, making “Despicable Me” a beloved family film that resonated across various age groups.
Where to Stream: Peacock Rent/Buy: Prime Video
Despicable Me 2 (2013)
In “Despicable Me 2,” Gru has left his villainous past behind and is now a devoted father and jam entrepreneur. His peaceful life is disrupted when the Anti-Villain League recruits him to thwart a new supervillain, El Macho. Alongside his new partner, Lucy Wilde, Gru navigates the challenges of love, fatherhood, and battling evil. The film retains its signature humor and charm while deepening Gru’s character through his evolving relationships with Lucy and his daughters.
The second film in the Despicable series was met with positive reviews, with critics highlighting its humor, voice acting, and the continued charm of the Minions. The film performed exceptionally well at the box office, becoming one of the highest-grossing animated films of all time. It reinforced the franchise’s cultural impact, with the Minions’ popularity soaring to new heights. Audiences appreciated the blend of comedy and heartfelt moments, solidifying the film’s status as a family favorite.
Where to Stream: Peacock | Rent/Buy: Prime Video
Minions (2015)
“Minions” (2015) explores the origin story of the lovable yellow henchmen from the “Despicable Me” series. The film follows Kevin, Stuart, and Bob as they embark on a journey to find a new master after accidentally causing the demise of all their previous ones. Their quest takes them to 1960s New York City, where they become involved with the world’s first female supervillain, Scarlet Overkill, and her inventor husband, Herb. The Minions find themselves entangled in Scarlet’s plot to steal the British crown, leading to a series of humorous and chaotic adventures in London.
The deviation from the path received a mixed but generally positive reception from critics, who praised its animation, voice performances, and humor. However, some felt the plot was thin compared to the main “Despicable Me” films. Despite this, the movie was a commercial success, grossing over $1 billion worldwide and solidifying the Minions’ status as pop culture icons. The film’s nostalgic setting and slapstick comedy appealed to both children and adults, ensuring its place as a beloved entry in the franchise and further expanding the Minions’ influence in media and merchandising.
Where to Stream: Netflix | Rent/Buy: Prime Video
Despicable Me 3 (2017)
“Despicable Me 3” follows Gru as he discovers he has a long-lost twin brother, Dru, who is eager to team up for one last heist. Meanwhile, Gru faces off against Balthazar Bratt, a former child star turned supervillain obsessed with the 1980s. The film explores themes of family and identity, blending action-packed sequences with the usual comedic antics of Gru, Dru, and the Minions.
While this most recent installment received mixed reviews from critics, it was generally praised for its humor, animation, and voice performances. Some felt the plot was less engaging than its predecessors, but the film’s nostalgic references and new characters kept it entertaining. It continued the franchise’s commercial success, reflecting its strong fan base and cultural influence. Audiences enjoyed the film’s humor and the dynamic between Gru and Dru, maintaining the franchise’s reputation for delivering fun, family-friendly entertainment.
Where to Stream: Peacock | Rent/Buy: Prime Video
Despicable Me 4 Trailer
