"We are going to steal...pause for effect...THE MOON! "

Despicable Me is a movie franchise created by Illumination Entertainment that centers around a supervillain and the family he invariably builds. There's currently four mainline movies, plus two spin-off prequel movies focused on the minions (and I believe there's another one coming to theaters as of writing this, in July 2026). The movies are as follows:

  • Despicable Me (July 9, 2010)
  • Despicable Me 2 (July 3, 2013)
  • Despicable Me 3 (June 30, 2017)
  • Despicable Me 4 (July 3, 2024)
  • Minions (July 10, 2015)
  • Minions: The Rise of Gru (July 1, 2022)
  • Minions and Monsters (July 1, 2026)

As of typing this, I just realized how they managed to release all movies during June-July. Impressive dedication I think.

Personal History and Thoughts

I remember being REALLY into DM2 back in 2014, to the point I got legitimately angry we were running late to the theaters the day my family and I were supposed to see it. It must've been because of the romance aspect they teased? It was wild. Wilde, even. I remember drawing Lucy so much afterwards, and how enamored I was with Gru and Lucy I just kept drawing them over and over even if I sucked at drawing Gru back then. Looking back, I really think I had a big fat crush on Lucy wayyy before I realized I was bisexual. So like...win I guess?

It didn't really last too long though. I think the interest waned eventually, but as I grew up I still remember enjoying both DM1 and DM2. I watched the other movies as they released, though in a casual "hey this movie's on Netflix I might as well watch it" kinda way. I don't think I ever realized how much I loved the first two movies, until...

Well, in December 2025, still riding on my Inside Out obsession, I was like...hey, my favorite fancharacter The Architect reminds me of Gru a little...and I do love me some Grucy...so I was like yeah why not make a DM AU of my Inside Out guys. Get silly with it. I will say seeing grucy art of Bread on Twitter was a huge push for this idea, and so I wanted to rewatch the movies just to remember what the Heck actually happens in there.

So after planning for it, my partner and I started our rewatch series on February 2026. Since then, I've been hooked. HARD. I do think the series as a whole isn't perfect, there's a lot of times they kinda trip on themselves, but when they hit, they hit quite nicely. I almost cried at the climax of DM1. I don't think I ever did when I was a kid. They're sweet for what they are, and they're funny, and the character interactions are so fun, even if they've got quite a few flaws. One thing I will say about the writing of these movies: everything after DM1 (except MAYBE the Minions, but I quite literally forgot what happened there), just screams that this studio wants to make a TV Series. Because some of these plotlines (and tbh the fictional world this is set in) is better suited for an episodic format.

I apparently have way too much to say about this series so, any big topics will be relegated to their own pages below. Have fun!

Favorite...

...Characters

Lucy Wilde, Felonius Gru, Margo Edith and Agnes Gru. Honorary Mentions are Poppy Prescott and Balthazar Bratt.

...Movie

DM1, with DM2 following REALLY close.

...Minion

The one with the goggles and overalls. Okay, serious answer, probably Stuart or Bob.

...Villain Rival

Balthazar Bratt. Vector is a close second.

Fanworks

alternate universes

fanblog

Most of the thoughts I write here are also seen over there!

even longer thoughts

Informal essays that better fit in its own pages. I do get a bit critical about the movies here alongside talking about its pros, please understand everything comes from the love I have for these movies as well as. uh. Decent storytelling I guess.

  • Coming soon...