Every ‘Despicable Me’ & ‘Minions’ Movie Ranked from Worst to Best

From Gru’s first dastardly scheme to the Minions’ globe-trotting misadventures, Illumination and Universal have built an all-ages juggernaut that also made box-office history as the first animated franchise to cross $5 billion worldwide. Across six features—four in the mainline and two Minions prequels—the series mixes heists, heart, and slapstick with instantly recognizable music cues and a rotating cast of celebrity voices. Below is a countdown from 6 to 1, ordered by widely reported audience scores, covering who made each film, who stars in it, what it’s about, and how it performed.

‘Despicable Me 4’ (2024)

Co-directed by Chris Renaud and Patrick Delage, ‘Despicable Me 4’ follows Gru, Lucy, and the girls as they welcome Gru Jr. and go on the run from Maxime Le Mal and Valentina, with Poppy Prescott complicating matters. The voice cast features Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Will Ferrell, Sofía Vergara, Joey King, and more, with music by Heitor Pereira and songs from Pharrell Williams. Universal released the film for Illumination, and its strong run helped push the overall franchise past the $5 billion global mark. Its worldwide gross stands near the billion-dollar line.

‘Despicable Me 3’ (2017)

Directed by Pierre Coffin and Kyle Balda, ‘Despicable Me 3’ pairs Gru with his long-lost twin Dru and pits them against 80s-throwback villain Balthazar Bratt, voiced by Trey Parker. Steve Carell also voices Dru alongside returning players like Kristen Wiig, while Illumination again partners with Universal on distribution. The film became a global smash with a worldwide total above $1.03 billion. Story elements expand the Anti-Villain League thread while keeping the Minions in comedic side missions.

‘Minions’ (2015)

‘Minions’ is a prequel adventure directed by Kyle Balda and Pierre Coffin that follows Kevin, Stuart, and Bob as they search for a boss, landing with super-villain Scarlet Overkill and her inventor husband Herb. The film’s cast includes Sandra Bullock and Jon Hamm, with Pierre Coffin voicing the Minions. As an Illumination production released by Universal, it became one of the highest-grossing animated titles, earning over $1.15 billion worldwide. Its retro-villain convention detour and road-trip antics establish the pre-Gru timeline for the little yellow agents of chaos.

‘Minions: The Rise of Gru’ (2022)

Directed by Kyle Balda with co-directors Brad Ableson and Jonathan del Val, ‘Minions: The Rise of Gru’ charts young Gru’s first steps toward super-villainy while tangling with the Vicious Six. Jack Antonoff curated a 70s-themed soundtrack featuring contemporary and legacy artists, reinforcing the period setting. The film crossed $940 million worldwide for Illumination and Universal. Its story connects the Minions’ loyalty to Gru and bridges cleanly into the mainline saga.

‘Despicable Me 2’ (2013)

‘Despicable Me 2’ reunites directors Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud as Gru is recruited by the Anti-Villain League and meets agent Lucy Wilde, with Benjamin Bratt voicing the flamboyant adversary El Macho. The ensemble includes Steve Carell and Kristen Wiig, continuing Illumination’s collaboration with Universal. It grossed just over $970 million worldwide and is frequently cited among the studio’s most profitable releases. The sequel broadened Gru’s world with agency intrigue, gadgetry, and an emphasis on family dynamics.

‘Despicable Me’ (2010)

Co-directed by Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud, ‘Despicable Me’ introduces Gru, his Minions, and the adopted sisters Margo, Edith, and Agnes, with a voice cast led by Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, and Julie Andrews. The Illumination–Universal debut mixed high-concept villainy with a heartfelt adoption arc and Pharrell-infused sound. It earned more than $543 million worldwide and launched one of the most successful animated franchises ever. The film established the tone, character designs, and comedic language that the series continues to build on.

Tell us how your own lineup shakes out—drop your picks in the comments!