Film Despicable Me 4: Gru, Minions, and the Mega-Minion Madness
| Category | Information | | :--- | :--- | | | July 3, 2024 (United States) | | Director | Chris Renaud, co-creator of the Minions | | Producer | Chris Meledandri (Illumination's CEO) and Brett Hoffman | | Screenplay | Mike White and Ken Daurio | | Music | Heitor Pereira | | Production Budget | $97-100 million | | Final Box Office | $972 million worldwide | | Streaming Release | August 6, 2024 (Digital) / October 31, 2024 (Peacock) |
For more in-depth critical takes, you can explore reviews on The Hollywood Reporter or Empire , which offer varying perspectives on the film's "chaotic melange" of plots.
Maxime, who has fused his body with cockroaches, escapes from AVL custody and swears revenge on Gru and his family. Forced into hiding under witness protection, Gru, Lucy, their three daughters, and Gru Jr. assume new identities in the quiet, affluent town of Mayflower. While the Minions are either placed in AVL care or transformed into a team of superpowered "Mega Minions", Gru’s cover is soon threatened. He is recognized by Poppy Prescott (Joey King), the ambitious teenage daughter of his new neighbors, who blackmails him into helping her steal the school's prized honey badger mascot. This heist inadvertently reveals Gru's location to Maxime, leading to a climactic showdown to rescue his kidnapped son.
The plot kicks into high gear when an old, dangerous rival from Gru’s past, (Will Ferrell), escapes custody, seeking revenge on Gru. Along with his equally dangerous femme-fatale partner, Valentina (Sofia Vergara), Maxime threatens the safety of the entire family. Film Despicable Me 4
Development on a fourth mainline Despicable Me film began as early as 2017, shortly after the release of Despicable Me 3 . After a long hiatus, the project was officially announced by Universal Pictures in February 2022.
It’s more Minions than Despicable Me — chaotic, silly, and forgettable, but rarely boring.
Fueled by the July 4th holiday, the film had a powerful opening and demonstrated remarkable staying power. Its success helped push the entire Despicable Me/Minions franchise past the mark globally, cementing its status as one of the most successful animated franchises in history.
For those who missed the film in theaters, you can currently stream "Despicable Me 4" on in select territories. It is also available for digital purchase and rental on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies . Film Despicable Me 4: Gru, Minions, and the
Gru (Steve Carell) and Lucy (Kristen Wiig) are now proud parents of their biological son, Gru Jr. , a one-year-old with tufted black hair and a will of iron. Jr. already shows signs of “the Gru stubbornness”—and a bizarre ability to make objects float when he has a tantrum.
: The marketing focused heavily on the "Mega Minions"—five superpowered Minions—with a trailer dedicated to them in May 2024.
The "Despicable Me" franchise has been a massive success, with:
The most intellectually interesting addition is Poppy Prescott, the wannabe villain next door. She is a meta-commentary on the franchise’s own fandom. Poppy worships Gru the way audiences worship the Despicable Me lore. She has scrapbooks of his heists. She idolizes the freeze ray. She wants to be the villain of 2010. assume new identities in the quiet, affluent town
The film also touches on the anxieties of moving, changing schools, and starting over, making it relatable for both children and parents.
takes on a disastrous stint as a hair stylist named "Blanche."
By its fourth entry, the Despicable Me series has firmly established a "winning formula" that prioritizes slapstick humor and visual gags over deep character development. Reviewers from sites like Rotten Tomatoes suggest that while the film doesn't "take risks" or "break new ground," it successfully delivers the "effective slapstick Minion mayhem" that fans expect.
remains the emotional anchor of the film. His faux-Eastern European accent continues to blend menace with warmth, perfectly capturing Gru’s desperation to win over his newborn son.
. Their powers (such as laser vision and super strength) are inspired by the Fantastic Four but often lead to more comical destruction than actual heroism. Cast and Crew Returning Voices