Despicable Me (film)

Longtime supervillain Felonious Gru has his pride hurt when an unknown rival steals the Great Pyramid of Giza. Gru, his elderly assistant Dr. Nefario, and his army of Minions devise a plan to steal the Moon. Seeking financial assistance, Gru approaches Mr. Perkins, the president of the Bank of Evil, who orders Gru to procure a shrink ray. While at the bank, Gru meets Perkins' son, Vector, who was responsible for the Pyramid heist. Gru and two of his Minions obtain the shrink ray from a research base in Southeast Asia, only for Vector to ambush them and steal it for himself.

After many failed attempts to infiltrate Vector's fortress, Gru notices three orphaned girls, Margo, Edith, and Agnes, being allowed in to sell cookies to Vector. Gru adopts the girls under the guise of a dentist, using them to distract Vector while he reclaims the shrink ray. Afterwards, he tries to abandon the girls at an amusement park but ends up spending the day and bonding with them, much to Nefario's disapproval. Gru later shows Perkins the shrink ray through a video call, only to be rejected. Observing Gru's despair, the girls offer him their piggy bank, and the Minions pool their resources to fund the moon heist.

Meanwhile, Perkins informs Vector of Gru's current possession of the shrink ray, prompting Vector to take action. Nefario calculates the day when the Moon is closest to Earth, which unfortunately coincides with the girls' upcoming ballet recital. Believing the girls are too much of a distraction to Gru, Nefario calls the orphanage's owner, Miss Hattie, to take the girls back. The next day, Gru successfully shrinks and steals the Moon. Hoping to make it to the recital on time, he rushes back to Earth but finds that the recital has ended, and that Vector has kidnapped the girls.

Arriving at Vector's fortress, Gru surrenders the Moon to Vector, but Vector refuses to give back the girls. Enraged, Gru storms Vector's fortress, and Vector activates his escape aircraft. Meanwhile, Nefario and the Minions discover that the shrink ray's effects are temporary; the bigger an object's mass, the faster it reverts to its original size. Gru, Nefario, and the Minions manage to rescue the girls before the Moon returns to its normal size and launches itself into orbit, destroying Vector's aircraft and leaving him stranded. Gru reclaims custody of the girls, and they celebrate with a special ballet recital (making up for the one Gru missed), which turns into a dance party.

File:Steve Carell in 2021.jpg voices Gru.]]

• Steve Carell as Gru, a longtime supervillain
• Jason Segel as Vector, an archrival of Gru who was responsible for the Great Pyramid of Giza heist{{Cite web |last=Ebert |first=Roger |author-link=Roger Ebert |date=July 7, 2010 |title=Despicable and mighty proud of it |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/despicable-me-2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818055650/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/despicable-me-2010 |archive-date=August 18, 2022 |access-date=January 30, 2023 |website=RogerEbert.com}}
• Russell Brand as Dr. Nefario, Gru's elderly assistant{{Cite web |last=Lang |first=George |date=July 9, 2010 |title=Movie Review: Despicable? Not at all — that would require Despicable Me to be more memorable |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/entertainment/2010/07/09/movie-review-despicable-not-at-all-that-would-require-despicable-me-to-be-more-memorable/61228757007/ |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818061338/https://www.oklahoman.com/story/entertainment/2010/07/09/movie-review-despicable-not-at-all-that-would-require-despicable-me-to-be-more-memorable/61228757007/ |archive-date=August 18, 2022 |access-date=January 30, 2023 |website=The Oklahoman}}
• Kristen Wiig as Miss Hattie, the orphanage's owner
• Miranda Cosgrove as Margo, a 12-year-old girl and one of Gru's adopted daughters
• Will Arnett as Mr. Perkins, the president of the Bank of Evil{{Cite web |last=Ruiz |first=Marah |date=February 20, 2015 |title=Narito na si Gru at ang kanyang mga minions! |trans-title=Gru and his minions are here! |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/entertainment/showbiznews/news/13520/narito-na-si-gru-at-ang-kanyang-mga-minions/story |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113002037/https://www.gmanetwork.com/entertainment/showbiznews/news/13520/narito-na-si-gru-at-ang-kanyang-mga-minions/story |archive-date=January 13, 2023 |access-date=January 30, 2023 |website=GMA Network}}
• Julie Andrews as Gru's mother

Despicable Me{{'s}} supporting voice cast includes Dana Gaier and Elsie Fisher as Gru's adopted daughters Edith and Agnes, respectively; and Pierre Coffin as the Minions, Gru's adorable and humorous henchmen, with Chris Renaud as Dave and Jemaine Clement as Jerry.{{Cite web |last=Baumgarten |first=Marjorie |date=July 9, 2010 |title=Despicable Me |url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/events/film/2010-07-09/despicable-me/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116035529/https://www.austinchronicle.com/events/film/2010-07-09/despicable-me/ |archive-date=November 16, 2018 |access-date=January 29, 2023 |website=The Austin Chronicle}}{{Cite web |last=Ruiz |first=Marah |date=August 28, 2015 |title=Samahan ang mga Minions ngayong weekend sa Despicable Me at Despicable Me 2 |trans-title=Join the Minions this weekend on Despicable Me and Despicable Me 2 |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/entertainment/showbiznews/news/18508/samahan-ang-mga-minions-ngayong-weekend-sa-despicable-me-at-despicable-me-2/story |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926000219/https://www.gmanetwork.com/entertainment/showbiznews/news/18508/samahan-ang-mga-minions-ngayong-weekend-sa-despicable-me-at-despicable-me-2/story |archive-date=September 26, 2021 |access-date=January 29, 2023 |website=GMA Network |language=Tagalog}} Other actors who lent their voices in minor roles include Danny McBride as Gru's neighbor Fred McDade, Jack McBrayer as a carnival barker and a tourist dad, Mindy Kaling as a tourist mom, Rob Huebel as an anchorman, Ken Daurio as an Egyptian guard, and Ken Jeong as a talk-show host.

===Development and writing===

To develop Despicable Me (under the working title Evil Me), Spanish animator Sergio Pablos pitched the idea about a main character having villainous attributes.{{Cite web |last=Amidi |first=Amid |date=September 25, 2017 |title=The Humble Roots Of The Mega-Hit Franchise Despicable Me |url=https://www.cartoonbrew.com/feature-film/humble-roots-mega-hit-franchise-despicable-153709.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926074618/https://www.cartoonbrew.com/feature-film/humble-roots-mega-hit-franchise-despicable-153709.html |archive-date=September 26, 2017 |access-date=January 29, 2023 |website=Cartoon Brew}} Pablos brought his pitch to producer Chris Meledandri,{{Cite web |last=Edwards |first=C. |date=January 3, 2014 |title=Directors Chris Renaud and Pierre Coffin on Creative Choices and Challenges in Despicable Me Films |url=https://www.cartoonbrew.com/interviews/directors-chris-renaud-and-pierre-coffin-on-creative-choices-and-challenges-in-despicable-me-films-93702.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101181814/https://www.cartoonbrew.com/interviews/directors-chris-renaud-and-pierre-coffin-on-creative-choices-and-challenges-in-despicable-me-films-93702.html |archive-date=January 1, 2020 |access-date=January 29, 2023 |website=Cartoon Brew}} who founded his animation studio Illumination Entertainment after leaving 20th Century Fox Animation in early 2007; screenwriters Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio began writing the script.{{Cite web |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |date=March 18, 2010 |title=Tim Burton's Next 3D Animated Film? Da Da Da Da, Snap Snap: The Addams Family |url=https://deadline.com/2010/03/tim-burton-next-3d-animated-film-da-da-da-snap-snap-the-addams-family-28841/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125174052/https://www.deadline.com/2010/03/tim-burton-next-3d-animated-film-da-da-da-snap-snap-the-addams-family/ |archive-date=November 25, 2022 |access-date=January 29, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}{{sfn|Croll|2022|p=18}} Afterward, Meledandri brought together Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud to direct the project. Coffin, who comes from Mac Guff, was recruited for his experience directing commercials for the studio, while Renaud was brought in for his animation experience in Blue Sky Studios.{{cite news|last=Desowitz|first=Bill|title=Meet the 'Despicable Me' Directors|url=https://www.awn.com/animationworld/meet-despicable-me-directors|access-date=September 12, 2020|work=Animation World Network|publisher=AWN, Inc.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129020748/https://www.awn.com/animationworld/meet-despicable-me-directors|archive-date=November 29, 2020|date=July 8, 2010|url-status=live}} In November 2008, Illumination announced the beginning of development on its first CG animated film and project, Despicable Me.{{cite news|last=Fleming|first=Michael|title=Steve Carell to voice 'Despicable'|url=https://variety.com/2008/digital/markets-festivals/steve-carell-to-voice-despicable-1117995751/|work=Variety|date=November 13, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223043719/https://variety.com/2008/digital/markets-festivals/steve-carell-to-voice-despicable-1117995751/|archive-date=December 23, 2017|access-date=November 28, 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Despicable Me (2010) Production Details|url=http://www.movieinsider.com/m5336/despicable-me/production/|publisher=Movie Insider|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626131040/http://www.movieinsider.com/m5336/despicable-me/production/|archive-date=June 26, 2015|access-date=November 28, 2020|url-status=live}}

After being upset at recognizing Gru's behavior early in the production, which could become stale with audiences, Meledandri ordered the directors to lighten Despicable Me{{'s}} tone. Steve Carell reasoned this was because it could ruin the emotional weight between Gru and the three orphan girls. Carell suggested that the character "displayed a sharp edge". In response, two scenes were written: Gru popping a balloon and freezing customers.{{Cite web |last=Eller |first=Claudia |date=July 20, 2010 |title=Despicable Me turns Universal into a digital animation film player |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-jul-20-la-fi-ct-universal-20100720-story.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920063627/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-jul-20-la-fi-ct-universal-20100720-story.html |archive-date=September 20, 2021 |access-date=October 14, 2023 |website=Los Angeles Times}} The language spoken by the Minions was invented by Coffin and Renaud; it is sometimes nicknamed "Minionese".{{Cite magazine|last=Staskiewicz|first=Keith|date=July 16, 2010|title=Despicable Me: Behind the Scenes|url=https://ew.com/article/2010/07/16/despicable-me-behind-scenes/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714065240/https://ew.com/article/2010/07/16/despicable-me-behind-scenes/|archive-date=July 14, 2015|access-date=June 23, 2020|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|url-status=dead}}

To save costs, the CGI animation and visual effects were handled by the Paris-based studio Mac Guff, with only 100 artists. Coffin, Renaud, and character designer Eric Guillon were responsible for creating the Minions. They did not exist in the original script until their addition during Despicable Me{{'s}} production.{{Cite web |last=Pockross |first=Adam |date=June 15, 2022 |title=Minions Weren't In Original Despicable Me Script, But Jawas & Oompa Loompas Soon Inspired Them |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/what-was-the-inspiration-behind-despicable-me-minions |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615212503/https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/what-was-the-inspiration-behind-despicable-me-minions |archive-date=June 15, 2022 |access-date=January 29, 2023 |website=Syfy Wire}} Initial designs for the Minions were humans and robots, before finalizing their appearances to small, yellow pill-shaped creatures.{{Cite web |last=Handy |first=Bruce |date=February 20, 2018 |title=The Minions Were Almost Robots |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2018/02/the-minions-were-almost-robots |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220215306/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2018/02/the-minions-were-almost-robots |archive-date=February 20, 2018 |access-date=January 29, 2023 |website=Vanity Fair}}{{Cite web |last=Edwards |first=Phil |date=July 10, 2015 |title=Minions, explained |url=https://www.vox.com/2015/7/10/8928069/minions |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712165035/https://www.vox.com/2015/7/10/8928069/minions |archive-date=July 12, 2015 |access-date=January 29, 2023 |website=Vox}} Renaud described the Minions as out of focus and "not very smart". The characters took inspiration from Oompa-Loompas in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) and Jawas in the Star Wars franchise,{{Cite web |last=Keegan |first=Rebecca |date=July 2, 2013 |title=With Despicable Me 2, fans again go bananas over Gru's minions |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-despicable-me-2-20130702-story.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110230638/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-despicable-me-2-20130702-story.html |archive-date=November 10, 2014 |access-date=January 29, 2023 |website=Los Angeles Times}} as well as silent screen stars Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin, and Warner Bros. cartoon characters, including Bugs Bunny.{{Cite web |last=Longsdorf |first=Amy |date=2015-07-09 |title=Parkland grad Chris Renaud embraces the Minions |url=https://www.mcall.com/2015/07/08/parkland-grad-chris-renaud-embraces-the-minions/ |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=The Morning Call |language=en-US}}

{{Main|Despicable Me: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack{{!}}Despicable Me: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack}}

File:Tom Gire, John Sponsler on scoring Despicable Me.jpg (right) at the recording of the film's score]]

Despicable Me: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is the soundtrack to the film of the same name, and it was released on July 6, 2010. It features new songs from the film written and performed by Pharrell Williams and performances by Destinee & Paris, the Sylvers, Robin Thicke, and the Bee Gees.{{cite news|title=DESPICABLE ME: ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK Album to be Released July 6 on Star Trak/Interscope|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/despicable-me-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-album-to-be-released-july-6-on-star-trakinterscope-96357559.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304065929/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/despicable-me-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-album-to-be-released-july-6-on-star-trakinterscope-96357559.html|archive-date=March 4, 2016|access-date=November 29, 2020|newspaper=PR Newswire|date=June 15, 2010|url-status=live}}

{{Clear right}}

Universal Pictures partnered the film with licensing and promotional partners valued at $75 million for the marketing campaign. Additional marketing partners for the film included Airheads, Church's Chicken, Hungry Jack's, Color Me Mine, American Express, Kodak, IHOP, and Best Buy.{{cite web|last=Graser|first=Marc|url=https://variety.com/2010/digital/features/despicable-minion-marketing-1118020074/|title='Despicable' Minion Marketing|website=Variety|date=June 2, 2010|access-date=January 17, 2021|archive-date=December 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217174147/https://variety.com/2010/digital/features/despicable-minion-marketing-1118020074/|url-status=live}} As a promotional tie-in, Despicable Me: The Game was released in various platforms.{{Cite web |date=April 26, 2010 |title=D3Publisher Announces Despicable Me: The Game |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/04/26/d3publisher-announces-despicable-me-the-game |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150827072627/https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/04/26/d3publisher-announces-despicable-me-the-game |archive-date=August 27, 2015 |access-date=September 8, 2020 |website=IGN}}

Despicable Me debuted at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival on June 9, 2010,{{Cite web |last1=Hopewell |first1=John |last2=Keslassy |first2=Elsa |date=June 3, 2010 |title=Despicable, Adventures bow at Annecy |url=https://variety.com/2010/biz/news/despicable-adventures-bow-at-annecy-1118020161/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221227222407/https://variety.com/2010/biz/news/despicable-adventures-bow-at-annecy-1118020161/ |archive-date=December 27, 2022 |access-date=December 27, 2022 |website=Variety}} followed by a premiere on June 27, at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.{{Cite web |date=July 1, 2010 |title=Celebrity Circuit |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/celebrity-circuit-1-7-10/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211004235621/https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/celebrity-circuit-1-7-10/22/ |archive-date=October 4, 2021 |access-date=October 5, 2021 |website=CBS News}} The film was released in the United States on July 9 with Predators.{{Cite web |last=Fleming |first=Michael |date=January 27, 2009 |title=Shmuger, Linde stay with Universal |url=https://variety.com/2009/film/features/shmuger-linde-stay-with-universal-1117999117/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221227221113/https://variety.com/2009/film/features/shmuger-linde-stay-with-universal-1117999117/ |archive-date=December 27, 2022 |access-date=December 27, 2022 |website=Variety}}

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment released Despicable Me on Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D, and DVD on December 14, 2010.{{cite web|last=Strowbridge|first=C.S.|date=December 13, 2010|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/news/154790830-DVD-and-Blu-ray-Releases-for-December-14th-2010|title=DVD and Blu-ray Releases for December 14th, 2010|publisher=The Numbers|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190907102314/https://m.the-numbers.com/news/154790830-DVD-and-Blu-ray-Releases-for-December-14th-2010|archive-date=September 7, 2019|url-status=live|access-date=January 12, 2021}} Physical copies contain behind-the-scenes featurettes; filmmaker commentaries; games;{{Cite web |last=Lawler |first=R. |date=September 22, 2010 |title=Despicable Me Blu-ray, 3D combo packs dated for December 14 |url=https://www.engadget.com/2010-09-22-despicable-me-blu-ray-3d-combo-packs-dated-for-december-14.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211011225051/https://www.engadget.com/2010-09-22-despicable-me-blu-ray-3d-combo-packs-dated-for-december-14.html |archive-date=October 11, 2021 |access-date=October 13, 2021 |website=Engadget}} and short films Home Makeover, Orientation Day, and Banana.{{cite web|last=Sciretta|first=Peter|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/despicable-minimovies-banana-home-makeover-orientation-day/|title=Despicable Me Mini-Movies: "Banana", "Home Makeover" and "Orientation Day"|website=/Film|date=December 16, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103133113/https://www.slashfilm.com/despicable-minimovies-banana-home-makeover-orientation-day/|archive-date=January 3, 2018|url-status=live|access-date=January 12, 2021}} A 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray version was released in 2017.{{Cite web |last=Strowbridge |first=C.S. |date=June 6, 2017 |title=Home Market Releases for June 6th, 2017 |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/news/222440830-Home-Market-Releases-for-June-6th-2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610132716/https://www.the-numbers.com/news/222440830-Home-Market-Releases-for-June-6th-2017 |archive-date=June 10, 2017 |access-date=November 26, 2023 |website=The Numbers}}

Despicable Me earned $251.6 million in the United States and Canada and $291.6 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $543.2 million. It was the ninth-highest-grossing film of 2010.{{Cite web |title=2010 Worldwide Box Office |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/2010/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520103758/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/2010/ |archive-date=May 20, 2020 |access-date=August 10, 2023 |website=Box Office Mojo}}

In the United States and Canada, Despicable Me was released with Predators on July 9, 2010. During its opening weekend, the film earned $60.1 million across 3,476 theaters.{{Cite web |last=Finke |first=Nikki |author-link=Nikki Finke |date=July 11, 2010 |title=It's Good To Be Bad! 'Despicable Me 3D' Doubles Expectations For $60.1M Weekend; R-Rated 'Predators' On Target With $25.3M; 'Eclipse' Global Cume Now $456M; See How This Hollywood Summer Is Doing Overseas |url=https://deadline.com/2010/07/first-box-office-despicable-me-could-be-good-for-55m-60m-weekend-53055/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925073114/https://deadline.com/2010/07/first-box-office-despicable-me-could-be-good-for-55m-60m-weekend-53055/ |archive-date=September 25, 2021 |access-date=September 25, 2021 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} Its second weekend earnings dropped by 42 percent to $32.7 million,{{Cite web |last=Finke |first=Nikki |author-link=Nikki Finke |date=July 17, 2010 |title='Inception' Dreams Up $60.4M Opener; 'Sorcerer's Apprentice' Nightmare $17.3M |url=https://deadline.com/2010/07/solid-3m-midnights-for-nolans-inception-54419/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925073106/https://deadline.com/2010/07/solid-3m-midnights-for-nolans-inception-54419/ |archive-date=September 25, 2021 |access-date=September 25, 2021 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} and followed by another $24.1 million on the third weekend.{{Cite web |last=Finke |first=Nikki |author-link=Nikki Finke |date=July 24, 2010 |title=Angelina Jolie's 'Salt' Spices Up Weekend; But Chris Nolan's 'Inception' Still Big No. 1 |url=https://deadline.com/2010/07/angies-salt-seasons-friday-box-office-but-chris-nolans-inception-still-big-no-1-56241/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925073056/https://deadline.com/2010/07/angies-salt-seasons-friday-box-office-but-chris-nolans-inception-still-big-no-1-56241/ |archive-date=September 25, 2021 |access-date=September 25, 2021 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} Despicable Me left theaters by January 20, 2011, making it the seventh-highest-grossing film of 2010.{{Cite web |title=Despicable Me - Domestic Release |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2018477569/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925065552/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2018477569/ |archive-date=September 25, 2021 |access-date=September 25, 2021 |website=Box Office Mojo}}{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?yr=2010&p=.htm |title=2010 DOMESTIC GROSSES |website=Box Office Mojo |publisher=IMDb |access-date=January 29, 2023 }}

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of {{RT data|score}} based on {{RT data|count}} reviews, with an average rating of {{RT data|average}}. The site's critics consensus reads, "Borrowing heavily (and intelligently) from Pixar and Looney Tunes, Despicable Me is a surprisingly thoughtful, family-friendly treat with a few surprises of its own."{{Cite Rotten Tomatoes |id={{RT data|rtid|noprefix=y}} |type=m |title=Despicable Me |access-date={{RT data|access date}}}}{{RT data|edit}}{{cbignore}} Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 72 out of 100 based on 35 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".{{Cite Metacritic |id=despicable-me |title=Despicable Me |type=movie |access-date=November 24, 2020}}{{cbignore}} It is Illumination's highest rated film to date on both websites. Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale.

Peter Travers of Rolling Stone gave the film three stars out of four, saying the directors were skilled at "springing surprises" from the writers' "ingenious" screenplay.{{cite magazine |first=Peter |last=Travers |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/despicable-me-20100707 |title=Despicable Me |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=July 7, 2010 |access-date=January 26, 2014 |archive-date=January 31, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140131204255/http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/despicable-me-20100707 |url-status=live |url-access=limited }} Peter Debruge of Variety wrote, "Since villains so often steal the show in animation, Despicable Me smartly turns the whole operation over to megalomaniacal rogue Gru."{{cite news |first=Peter |last=Debruge |url=https://variety.com/2010/digital/reviews/despicable-me-1117942947/ |title=Despicable Me |work=Variety |publisher=Penske Business Media |date=June 9, 2010 |access-date=January 26, 2014 |archive-date=February 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140226160255/http://variety.com/2010/digital/reviews/despicable-me-1117942947/ |url-status=live }} Robert Wilonsky of The Village Voice wrote, "The result is pleasant and diverting, if ultimately forgettable, and it's one of the rare instances in the recent history of 3-D's resurrection as The Savior of Cinema in which the technology doesn't dim the screen or distract the focus."{{cite web |first=Robert |last=Wilonsky |url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2010-07-06/film/the-childish-funny-3-d-delights-of-despicable-me/ |title=The Childish, Funny, 3-D Delights of Silly Despicable Me |work=The Village Voice |date=July 6, 2010 |access-date=March 19, 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 6, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130806104003/http://www.villagevoice.com/2010-07-06/film/the-childish-funny-3-d-delights-of-despicable-me |df=mdy-all }} Christy Lemire of the Associated Press wrote, "Kids will dig it, adults will smile with amusement, and no one will be any different afterward than they were walking into the theater."{{cite news |url=http://archive.boston.com/ae/movies/articles/2010/07/07/review_despicable_me_is_cool_looking_but_slight/ |title=Review: 'Despicable Me' is cool-looking but slight |publisher=Boston Globe Media Partners |work=The Boston Globe |date=July 7, 2010 |access-date=March 19, 2018 |first=Christy |last=Lemire |archive-date=March 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320105817/http://archive.boston.com/ae/movies/articles/2010/07/07/review_despicable_me_is_cool_looking_but_slight/ |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} Bill Goodykoontz of The Arizona Republic gave the film three and a half stars out of five, saying, "Neither as rich in story nor stunning in animation as Pixar offerings, Despicable Me instead settles for simply being goofy good fun, and it hardly seems like settling at all."{{cite news |url=https://www.azcentral.com/thingstodo/movies/articles/2010/07/07/20100707despicable-me.html |title=Despicable Me |last=Goodykoontz |first=Bill |date=July 9, 2010 |work=The Arizona Republic |access-date=July 14, 2010 |archive-date=January 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140126120108/http://www.azcentral.com/thingstodo/movies/articles/2010/07/07/20100707despicable-me.html |url-status=live }}

Carrie Rickey of The Philadelphia Inquirer gave the film two and a half stars out of four, saying, "Short, sweet-and-sour, and amusing rather than funny, Despicable Me can't help but be likable."{{cite web|last=Rickey|first=Carrie|date=October 23, 2012|title=Archvillain has a soft spot for orphans|url=http://articles.philly.com/2010-07-09/entertainment/24967033_1_vector-ray-gun-targets|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219123820/http://articles.philly.com/2010-07-09/entertainment/24967033_1_vector-ray-gun-targets|archive-date=February 19, 2014|access-date=January 26, 2014|work=The Philadelphia Inquirer|publisher=Philadelphia Media Network}} Colin Covert of the Star Tribune gave the film two and a half stars out of four, saying "You'll probably leave the theater smiling, but don't expect to be emotionally engaged, Pixar-style. You'll be tickled, not touched."{{cite web |last=Covert |first=Colin |title="Despicable Me": Bad guys young and old |work=Star Tribune |date=July 9, 2010 |access-date=March 19, 2018 |url=http://www.startribune.com/despicable-me-bad-guys-young-and-old/98049414/ |archive-date=March 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320105722/http://www.startribune.com/despicable-me-bad-guys-young-and-old/98049414/ |url-status=live }} Claudia Puig of USA Today gave the film three stars out of four, saying, "A whip-smart family movie that makes inventive use of the summer's ubiquitous 3-D technology is something worth cheering."{{cite news |last=Puig |first=Claudia |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2010-07-09-despicableme09_ST_N.htm |title=Rollicking 'Despicable Me' is delectable fun |publisher=Gannett Company |work=USA Today |date=July 11, 2010 |access-date=January 26, 2014 |archive-date=February 3, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203024050/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2010-07-09-despicableme09_ST_N.htm |url-status=live }} Tom Keogh of The Seattle Times gave the film three stars out of four, saying "Despicable Me appeals both to our innocence and our glee over cartoon anarchy."{{cite web|last=Keogh|first=Tom|date=July 8, 2010|title='Despicable Me': Steve Carell does a wickedly wonderful job as supervillain|url=http://seattletimes.com/html/movies/2012311072_mr09despicable.html|url-access=limited|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219123820/http://seattletimes.com/html/movies/2012311072_mr09despicable.html|archive-date=February 19, 2014|access-date=January 26, 2014|work=The Seattle Times}} Ty Burr of The Boston Globe gave the film three stars out of four, saying, "Despicable Me has enough visual novelty and high spirits to keep the kiddies diverted and just enough wit to placate the parents."{{cite news |url=https://www.boston.com/ae/movies/articles/2010/07/09/despicable_me_doesnt_reach_pixar_heights_but_comes_close/ |title=Despicable Me |publisher=Boston Globe Media Partners |work=The Boston Globe |date=July 9, 2010 |access-date=January 26, 2014 |first=Ty |last=Burr |archive-date=February 2, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202192948/http://www.boston.com/ae/movies/articles/2010/07/09/despicable_me_doesnt_reach_pixar_heights_but_comes_close/ |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} Roger Ebert gave the film three stars out of four, saying, "The film is funny, energetic, teeth-gnashingly venomous and animated with an eye to exploiting the 3-D process with such sure-fire techniques as a visit to an amusement park." Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune gave the film two and a half stars out of four, saying, "By taking the "heart" part just seriously enough, and in the nick of time, the movie saves itself from itself."{{cite web |last=Phillips |first=Michael |url=http://chicago.metromix.com/movies/movie_review/movie-review-despicable-me/2054628/content |title=Movie review: 'Despicable Me' |work=Metromix Chicago |date=August 31, 2010 |access-date=January 26, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100831153532/http://chicago.metromix.com/movies/movie_review/movie-review-despicable-me/2054628/content |archive-date=August 31, 2010}}

Kim Newman of Empire gave the film three stars out of five, saying, "It's no first-rank CGI cartoon, but shows how Pixar's quality over crass is inspiring the mid-list. Fun, with teary bits, for kids fresh and smart for adults."{{cite web|last=Newman|first=Kim|date=October 1, 2010|title=Despicable Me Review|url=https://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?FID=136811|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202101813/https://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?FID=136811|archive-date=February 2, 2014|access-date=January 26, 2014|work=Empire|publisher=Bauer Media Group}} Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times gave the film two and a half stars out of four, saying, "The film throws so much ersatz cleverness and overdone emotion at the audience that we end up more worn out than entertained."{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-jul-09-la-et-despicable-me-20100709-story.html |title=Movie review: 'Despicable Me' |work=Los Angeles Times |date=July 9, 2010 |access-date=January 26, 2014 |first1=Kenneth |last1=Turan |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222171328/http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jul/09/local/la-et-despicable-me-20100709 |url-status=live |url-access=limited }} Stephen Whitty of the Newark Star-Ledger gave the film two and a half stars out of four, saying, "Unfortunately Despicable Me is just, predictably eh. And the one thing the larcenous Gru never steals is our heart."{{cite web |last=Whitty |first=Stephen |url=http://www.nj.com/entertainment/movies/index.ssf/2010/07/despicable_me_movie_review_despicable_but_not_memorable.html |title='Despicable Me' movie review: Despicable, but not memorable |work=NJ.com |publisher=New Jersey Online |date=July 9, 2010 |access-date=March 19, 2018 |archive-date=March 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320111032/http://www.nj.com/entertainment/movies/index.ssf/2010/07/despicable_me_movie_review_despicable_but_not_memorable.html |url-status=live }} Ann Hornaday of The Washington Post gave the film three stars out of four, saying, "An improbably heartwarming, not to mention visually delightful, diversion."{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/movies/despicable-me-3d,1161715.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100325155552/http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/movies/despicable-me-3d,1161715.html |archive-date=March 25, 2010 |title=Despicable Me 3D Review and Showtimes, Jason Segel in Despicable Me 3D |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=July 9, 2010 |access-date=January 26, 2014 |url-status=dead |url-access=limited}} Rick Groen of The Globe and Mail gave the film four stars out of four, saying, "This animated thing pretty near out-Pixars Pixar."{{cite news |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/film/despicable-me-deliciously-despicable/article1386873/ |title=Despicable Me: Deliciously despicable |work=The Globe and Mail |date=September 10, 2012 |access-date=January 26, 2014 |last=Groen |first=Rick |archive-date=December 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224002951/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/film/despicable-me-deliciously-despicable/article1386873/ |url-status=live |url-access=limited }} Mick LaSalle of the San Francisco Chronicle gave the film two stars out of four, saying, "When compared with the ambition and achievement of recent animated films, such as Coraline and Toy Story 3, Despicable Me hardly seems to have been worth making, and it's barely worth watching."{{cite news |first=Mick |last=LaSalle |url=http://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/Review-Despicable-Me-3259388.php |title=Review: 'Despicable Me' |publisher=Hearst Communications |work=San Francisco Chronicle |date=July 9, 2010 |access-date=January 26, 2014 |archive-date=December 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204235042/http://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/Review-Despicable-Me-3259388.php |url-status=live |url-access=limited}}

Bob Mondello of NPR gave the film an eight out of ten, saying, "It's all thoroughly adorable, and with an overlay that's nearly as odd as Carell's accent: Despicable Me looks a lot like other computer-animated pictures."{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128249517 |title=Movie Review – 'Despicable Me' – Oddly Adorable |publisher=NPR |work=All Things Considered |first=Bob |last=Mondello |date=July 9, 2010 |access-date=January 26, 2014 |archive-date=February 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201221844/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128249517 |url-status=live }} A. O. Scott of The New York Times gave the film two stars out of five, saying, "So much is going on in this movie that, while there's nothing worth despising, there's not much to remember either."{{cite news |url=https://movies.nytimes.com/2010/07/09/movies/09despicable.html |title=Despicable Me Lunar Toons and Cookie Capers |last=Scott |first=A. O. |author-link=A. O. Scott |date=July 9, 2010 |work=The New York Times |access-date=July 14, 2010 |archive-date=July 12, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100712154859/http://movies.nytimes.com/2010/07/09/movies/09despicable.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited }} Kirk Honeycutt of The Hollywood Reporter wrote, "Despicable doesn't measure up to Pixar at its best. Nonetheless, it's funny, clever and warmly animated with memorable characters."{{cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movie/despicable-me/review/29709 |title=Despicable Me: Film Review |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=October 14, 2010 |access-date=January 26, 2014 |first=Kirk |last=Honeycutt |archive-date=March 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304020008/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movie/despicable-me/review/29709 |url-status=live }} Steve Persall of the Tampa Bay Times gave the film a B, saying, "Directors Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud craft a fun stretch run, wrapping the story with warm, fuzzy funnies and nothing to suggest a sequel, which is probably wise."{{cite web |first=Steve |last=Persall |url=http://www.tampabay.com/features/movies/despicable-me-steve-carell-gives-voice-to-a-supervillain-with-a-heart-of/1107236 |title='Despicable Me': Steve Carell gives voice to a supervillain with a heart of gold |work=Tampa Bay Times |date=July 8, 2010 |access-date=March 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100709022729/http://www.tampabay.com/features/movies/despicable-me-steve-carell-gives-voice-to-a-supervillain-with-a-heart-of/1107236 |archive-date=July 9, 2010 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} Tasha Robinson of The A.V. Club gave the film a B, saying, "Until the creep + orphans = happy family formula starts demanding abrupt, unconvincing character mutations, Despicable Me is a giddy joy."{{cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/review/despicable-me-42925 |title=Despicable Me |publisher=The Onion |work=The A.V. Club |date=July 8, 2010 |access-date=January 26, 2014 |last=Robinson |first=Tasha |archive-date=February 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201213322/http://www.avclub.com/review/despicable-me-42925 |url-status=live }}

{{Anchor|Awards|Accolades}}

Despicable Me{{'s}} popularity grew following its release, which led to a successful multimedia franchise.{{Cite web |last=Graser |first=Marc |date=May 22, 2013 |title=Minions Mean Big Business for Universal as Despicable Me Stars Break Out |url=https://variety.com/2013/film/news/minions-mean-big-business-for-universal-as-despicable-me-stars-break-out-1200485833/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150729031943/https://variety.com/2013/film/news/minions-mean-big-business-for-universal-as-despicable-me-stars-break-out-1200485833/ |archive-date=July 29, 2015 |access-date=October 14, 2023 |website=Variety}}{{Cite web |last=Debruge |first=Peter |date=November 17, 2015 |title=Minions and Illumination Create a Blockbuster Animation Unit for Universal |url=https://variety.com/2015/film/spotlight/universal-illumination-minions-animation-1201641899/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118150615/https://variety.com/2015/film/spotlight/universal-illumination-minions-animation-1201641899/ |archive-date=November 18, 2015 |access-date=October 14, 2023 |website=Variety}} Its basic premise of comedic aspects, including characters, has been replicated with varying degrees of success in films like Hotel Transylvania (2012), The Lego Movie (2014), Storks, The Secret Life of Pets (both 2016), The Lego Batman Movie, The Boss Baby, The Emoji Movie (all 2017), Toy Story 4 and Klaus (both 2019).{{ciation needed|date=December 2024}} The Minions, whose popularity was gradually increased since the film's release, became Illumination's mascots.{{Cite web |last=Kilday |first=Gregg |date=December 9, 2016 |title=Illumination's Chris Meledandri Talks Success Secrets, Rumors He'll Head DreamWorks |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/illuminations-chris-meledandri-talks-success-secrets-rumors-hell-head-dreamworks-953232/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920212857/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/illuminations-chris-meledandri-talks-success-secrets-rumors-hell-head-dreamworks-953232/ |archive-date=September 20, 2021 |access-date=October 14, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}{{Cite web |last=Steel |first=Emily |date=November 7, 2016 |title=How Comcast and NBCUniversal Used Minions to Fuse an Empire |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/07/business/media/media-merger-success-comcast-and-nbcuniversal-say-yes.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107184554/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/07/business/media/media-merger-success-comcast-and-nbcuniversal-say-yes.html |archive-date=November 7, 2016 |access-date=October 14, 2023 |website=The New York Times}} Despicable Me inspired various Internet memes, including "Gorl" in reference to how Gru pronounces the word girl with his accent{{Cite web |last=Kircher |first=Madison Malone |date=May 1, 2018 |title=What Is Gorl? The New Despicable Me Meme Mercifully Has Nothing to Do With Minions |url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2018/05/gorls-despicable-me-memes-explained.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181113140037/https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2018/05/gorls-despicable-me-memes-explained.html |archive-date=November 13, 2018 |access-date=October 14, 2023 |website=Daily Intelligencer}}{{cite web |last1=Nelson |first1=Dustin |title=Gru Saying 'Gorls' Is the Internet's Favorite New Meme |url=https://www.thrillist.com/news/nation/gru-girl-meme-gorls-despicable-me |website=Thrillist |access-date=November 2, 2024 |date=May 3, 2018}}{{cite web |last1=Britton |first1=David |title=Despicable Me meme is giving celebs a Gru makeover |url=https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/despicable-me-gorls-meme/ |website=Daily Dot |access-date=November 2, 2024 |date=May 21, 2021}} and "Gru's Plan", which is based on the film scene where Gru's presentation of his plan to steal the moon is interrupted when he finds a drawing of him sitting on the toilet in the presentation pages.{{Cite web |last=Wardlow |first=Ciara |date=August 28, 2019 |title=The 50 Best Movie Memes Ever |url=https://filmschoolrejects.com/best-movie-memes-ever/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901151012/https://filmschoolrejects.com/best-movie-memes-ever/ |archive-date=September 1, 2019 |access-date=October 14, 2023 |website=Film School Rejects}}{{cite web |last1=Casimiro |first1=Daniela |title=Despicable Me: 10 Hilarious Uses Of The Gru's Plan Meme |url=https://screenrant.com/despicable-me-hilarious-uses-gru-plan-meme/ |website=Screen Rant |access-date=November 2, 2024 |date=October 1, 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Sung |first1=Morgan |title=This new meme perfectly describes when plans go wrong |url=https://mashable.com/article/gru-plan-meme-despicable-me |website=Mashable |access-date=November 2, 2024 |date=March 13, 2018}}{{cite web |last1=Stalberg |first1=Allison |title=The Emperor's New Meme: 10 Famous Movies That Created The Most Popular Memes |url=https://screenrant.com/the-emperors-new-groove-famous-movies-memes/ |website=Screen Rant |access-date=November 2, 2024 |date=September 24, 2020}} It helped launch the career of Fisher.{{Cite web |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=August 30, 2018 |title=Eighth Grade Star Elsie Fisher Joins Animated Addams Family Movie (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/eighth-grade-star-elsie-fisher-joins-animated-addams-family-movie-1138730 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423060154/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/eighth-grade-star-elsie-fisher-joins-animated-addams-family-movie-1138730 |archive-date=April 23, 2021 |access-date=October 14, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}

{{Further|Despicable Me|l1=Despicable Me}}

The unexpected financial success of Despicable Me led to the development on a sequel,{{Cite web |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |date=July 13, 2010 |title=Chris Meledandri's Illumination Game Plan Includes Despicable Me Sequel, Minion Spinoffs, Dr. Seuss, The Addams Family |url=https://deadline.com/2010/07/chris-meledandris-illumination-game-plan-includes-despicable-me-sequel-minion-spinoffs-dr-seuss-the-addams-family-53479/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109114922/https://deadline.com/2010/07/chris-meledandris-illumination-game-plan-includes-despicable-me-sequel-minion-spinoffs-dr-seuss-the-addams-family-53479/ |archive-date=November 9, 2014 |access-date=April 21, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} intent on capitalizing the original's popularity through that film's extensive marketing campaign.{{Cite web |last=Graser |first=Marc |date=May 22, 2013 |title=Minions Mean Big Business for Universal as Despicable Me Stars Break Out |url=https://variety.com/2013/film/news/minions-mean-big-business-for-universal-as-despicable-me-stars-break-out-1200485833/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724125636/https://variety.com/2013/film/news/minions-mean-big-business-for-universal-as-despicable-me-stars-break-out-1200485833/ |archive-date=July 24, 2015 |access-date=June 26, 2023 |website=Variety}} Despicable Me 2 (2013) surpassed the box-office take of Despicable Me,{{Cite magazine |last=Smith |first=Grady |date=July 21, 2013 |title=Box office report: The Conjuring spooks R.I.P.D. with $41 million |url=https://ew.com/article/2013/07/21/box-office-report-the-conjuring/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127184626/https://ew.com/article/2013/07/21/box-office-report-the-conjuring/ |archive-date=November 27, 2015 |access-date=May 24, 2023 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}} and received a similarly positive critical and audience response.{{Cite Rotten Tomatoes |id={{RT data|rtid|noprefix=y|title=Despicable Me 2}} |type=m |title=Despicable Me 2 |access-date={{RT data|access date|title=Despicable Me 2}} |publisher_hide=yes}}{{RT data|edit|title=Despicable Me 2}}{{cbignore}} The series narrative was expanded in three spin-off prequels–Minions (2015),{{Cite web |last=Graser |first=Marc |date=September 20, 2013 |title=Universal, Illumination Move their 'Minions' to Summer 2015 |url=https://variety.com/2013/film/news/universal-illumination-move-their-minions-to-summer-2015-1200654294/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907200017/https://variety.com/2013/film/news/universal-illumination-move-their-minions-to-summer-2015-1200654294/ |archive-date=September 7, 2015 |access-date=January 25, 2025 |website=Variety}} Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022),{{Cite web |last=Rubin |first=Rebecca |date=March 4, 2021 |title=F9 Postponed for the Third Time, Minions Sequel Pushed to 2022 |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/f9-release-date-postponed-summer-1234883492/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304233401/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/f9-release-date-postponed-summer-1234883492/ |archive-date=March 4, 2021 |access-date=December 22, 2022 |website=Variety}} and Minions 3 (2026){{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=January 10, 2025 |title=Universal Delays Shrek 5, Moves Up Minions 3 & More |url=https://deadline.com/2025/01/shrek-5-minions-3-release-dates-1236254122/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250111053845/https://deadline.com/2025/01/shrek-5-minions-3-release-dates-1236254122/ |archive-date=January 11, 2025 |access-date=January 10, 2025 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}–and two further sequels–Despicable Me 3 (2017) and Despicable Me 4 (2024).{{Cite web |last=McClintock |first=Pamela |date=January 15, 2014 |title=Universal Dates Despicable Me 3, New Grinch Who Stole Christmas |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/universal-dates-despicable-me-3-new-grinch-who-stole-christmas-671303/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517152723/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/universal-dates-despicable-me-3-new-grinch-who-stole-christmas-671303/ |archive-date=May 17, 2021 |access-date=January 25, 2025 |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter}}{{Cite web |last=Grobar |first=Matt |date=February 18, 2022 |title=Illumination & Universal Set Dates For Animated Films Migration & Despicable Me 4 |url=https://deadline.com/2022/02/despicable-me-4-migration-get-release-dates-from-illumination-universal-1234956816/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218203450/https://deadline.com/2022/02/despicable-me-4-migration-get-release-dates-from-illumination-universal-1234956816/ |archive-date=February 18, 2022 |access-date=February 14, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Refbegin}}

• {{Cite book|last=Croll|first=Ben|title=The Art of Eric Guillon: From the Making of Despicable Me to Minions, The Secret Life of Pets, and More|date=July 12, 2022|publisher=Insight Editions|isbn=9781683836810|location=San Rafael, California}}

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