Three Oscar winners, two Oscar nominees, a South Park legend, and one very unimpressed Minion named Dick. July 1st can’t come fast enough.
The Minions are back — and this time, they’ve accidentally unleashed real monsters on the entire world. Totally fine. Completely under control.
It’s been a big few weeks for Minions & Monsters. First came the Super Bowl debut that broke the internet. Then came a cast announcement that left jaws on the floor. Here’s everything you need to know.
It All Started at the Super Bowl
Universal Pictures and Illumination debuted the very first trailer for Minions & Monsters during Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026. The broadcast spot featured a Minion breathlessly sprinting toward the camera, shouting “minions!” then “monster!” — followed by a thunderous roar — before urging viewers to watch the full trailer online. The complete trailer dropped immediately after the spot aired.
And what a trailer it was.
Set in 1920s Hollywood, three Minions head off to Tinseltown with big dreams of becoming filmmakers. Things go sideways fast when — lacking an actual monster for their movie — they do the only logical thing: crack open an ancient spellbook and summon one.
What they get is a baby Cthulhu — tiny, smart, and absolutely not what they ordered. But the little creature offers to lead them to the perfect monster, kicking off a chaotic, laugh-out-loud monster hunt across Hollywood.
Along the way, the Minions go head-to-head with sea beasts, a giant pink bunny with a serious attitude problem, and a mummy whose linen wrapping they accidentally rip clean off his bones. Classic Minions energy.
The bad news? The bigger monsters they eventually find are far more suited to wreaking havoc — which they absolutely love doing. So it now falls on the Minions to save the world from the very mayhem they created, and maybe make the movie of their dreams along the way.
Now, the Cast — And One Very Unimpressed Minion
Just weeks after the Super Bowl trailer, Illumination dropped an official cast announcement video starring Minion Dick — who sits through the entire reveal of this jaw-dropping lineup looking completely, utterly disappointed. It’s peak Minion behavior, and honestly, relatable.
So who’s in the film? Buckle up:
- Allison Janney — Oscar Winner
- Christoph Waltz — Two-Time Oscar Winner
- Jeff Bridges — Oscar Winner
- Jesse Eisenberg — Oscar Nominee
- Trey Parker — Oscar Nominee & South Park co-creator
- Zoey Deutch
- Bobby Moynihan
- Phil LaMarr
And of course, director Pierre Coffin returns to voice the Minions — a role he’s held since their very first appearance in 2010’s Despicable Me.
Three Oscar winners and two Oscar nominees in a single animated family film? That’s not just impressive — that’s a statement.
Who’s Making It?
Minions & Monsters is written by Brian Lynch — the screenwriter behind the original Minions and The Secret Life of Pets — and directed by Pierre Coffin, the creative force behind the first three Despicable Me films and the original Minions spinoff. The film is produced by Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri alongside Bill Ryan, executive producer of The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
Where Does This Fit in the Franchise?
Minions & Monsters is the third standalone Minions film and the seventh overall entry in the Despicable Me franchise. The last time we saw the Minions on the big screen was in Despicable Me 4 (2024). The Despicable Me and Minions series has grossed nearly $5 billion globally — making it the highest-grossing animated franchise in history.
What Should Parents Know?
An official age rating hasn’t been announced yet, but based on the trailer and the franchise’s track record, here’s the early read:
- Tone: Goofy slapstick animated comedy — pure classic Minions chaos
- Setting: 1920s Hollywood with fun, cartoonish monster movie elements
- Monsters: Silly and comedic — baby Cthulhu, a grumpy bunny, a clumsy mummy
- Scary or violent content: Nothing concerning visible in the trailer
- Expected rating: PG — consistent with every previous film in the franchise
- Bottom line: Looks like a total crowd-pleaser for the whole family
We’ll update this page with the official age rating and full Parents Guide as soon as they’re available.
In Theaters: July 1, 2026 | Studio: Illumination / Universal Pictures | Director: Pierre Coffin
Feature Image Credit: Universal Pictures