The Despicable Me franchise has never relied on critics to fill theaters. With Gru, the Minions, and Illumination's budget-friendly chaos, it's been a box-office juggernaut. But now, Minions & Monsters has done something unprecedented: it's become the most critically acclaimed entry in the series.
Released in U.S. theaters on July 1, 2026, and directed by Pierre Coffin, the film currently holds an 89% Tomatometer score from 62 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. That tops the previous franchise best of 80% for the original Despicable Me. For context, recent entries have struggled: Despicable Me 2 sits at 75%, Minions: The Rise of Gru at 70%, Despicable Me 3 at 58%, Despicable Me 4 at 56%, and the first Minions at 55%. This new film is a critical reset.
Rotten Tomatoes' critics' consensus calls it an "affectionate and charming sendup of moviemaking magic" and the franchise's "most roundly enjoyable entry yet." The 90-minute plot follows the Minions as they rise to Hollywood stardom, fall from grace, accidentally unleash monsters, and try to clean up the mess. It's a love letter to old Hollywood, packed with movie-history jokes and a clearer creative identity.
Collider's Charlie Ridgely raved: "This is the best, darkest, and most hilarious the Minions have ever been." ScreenRant noted that "the movie also doesn't linger on any one joke," adding that "the pacing feels built for a generation that has grown up on screens." The film debuted at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on June 21, 2026, before its wide release.
For more on the film's unique humor, check out Pierre Coffin Reveals the Lego Joke That Splits 'Minions & Monsters' Fans. And if you want a deeper dive, read our Minions & Monsters Review: The Darkest, Funniest Entry in the Despicable Me Franchise.
While it's still early, the strong critical start suggests this record may hold. The Popcornmeter will tell the full story, but for now, Minions & Monsters is proving that even a franchise built on yellow gibberish can earn serious acclaim.
