Despicable Me: A Ranking of Minion Mayhem
From stealing the moon to mastering the art of dad jokes, Gru's journey in the Despicable Me franchise has been nothing short of hilarious. And let's remember the Minions, those gibberish-speaking yellow creatures who've become a global phenomenon in their own right. With Despicable Me 4 about to unleash its chaos upon theaters, it's the perfect time to take a trip down memory lane. We'll dissect each film in the franchise, analyzing the belly laughs, the heartwarming moments, and, of course, the epic villain showdowns. Will it be the original tale of Gru's unexpected fatherhood or the origin story of a young, ambitious Gru striving for supervillains? Prepare for a ranking filled with spoilers and squeals of laughter as we determine which Despicable Me movie deserves the title of the most despicable- delightful! Get the Despicable Me 5-Movie Bundle on Apple TV!
Despicable Me 3 (2017): (Box Office: $368,065,385)
Despicable Me 3 reunites us with Gru and his family, but the magic somewhat fizzles. Steve Carell shines with the double duty of voicing Gru and his newfound twin brother, Dru. However, the villain, Balthazar Bratt (voiced by Trey Parker), feels one-dimensional with his 80s-themed villainy. While the movie has humorous moments, the plot is cluttered, and the emotional connection isn't as strong as in previous installments. Watch Despicable Me 3 on Apple TV
Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022): (Box Office: $370,270,765)
Thankfully, Illumination learned from the first Minions outing. Rise of Gru injects God's story into the equation, making it a much more enjoyable experience. Here, we see a young, ambitious Gru striving to become a supervillain. The movie offers a delightful origin story for Gru and the Minions, and the villain team, the Vicious 6, provides a more compelling threat. While not perfect, Rise of Gru's heart lies in the bond between Gru and his newfound Minions, significantly improving it over the first Minions film. Watch Minions: The Rise of Gru on Apple TV
Minions (2015): (Box Office: $336,045,770)
This spin-off centers entirely on the Minions, Gru's gibberish-speaking sidekicks. While undeniably funny for kids who adore their slapstick antics, the movie lacks the depth and relatable characters of the main Despicable Me series. Sandra Bullock's villain, Scarlet Overkill, pales compared to Gru, and the plot feels like a string of silly moments without a solid emotional core. Adults might find themselves zoning out during this, but Minions delivers pure, unadulterated silliness for the little ones. Watch Minions on Apple TV
Despicable Me 2 (2013): (Box Office: $368,065,385)
The first sequel successfully expands Gru's world. We see him recruited by the Anti-Villain League (AVL) alongside the hilarious Lucy Wilde, voiced by Kristen Wiig. Their contrasting personalities create great comedic fodder and their dynamic hints at a budding romance. The villain, Eduardo Pérez/El Macho (voiced by Benjamin Bratt), is delightfully over-the-top and has a more elaborate plan than the previous villains. Despicable Me Two isn't quite as groundbreaking as the original. Still, it delivers a satisfying blend of laughter, action, and a heartwarming subplot of Gru navigating his newfound feelings for Lucy. Watch Despicable Me 2 on Apple TV
Despicable Me (2010): (Box Office: $251,639,815)
The movie that started it all remains the champion. Despicable Me introduces us to Gru, a villain utterly devoted to his evil schemes. His world gets turned upside down when he adopts three adorable girls, Margo, Edith, and Agnes. The humor is spot-on, with Gru's initial struggles with fatherhood providing endless entertainment. Gru's transformation from a villain to a surprisingly dedicated dad is funny and touching. Despicable Me also boasts a stellar supporting cast, including Russell Brand as Dr. Nefario and the villain duo of Jason Segel as Vector and Will Arnett as Mr. Perkins. The cherry on top? Julie Andrews lends her voice to Gru's surprisingly supportive mom. Despicable Me is a perfect blend of humor, heart, and a fresh take on the villain-turned-hero trope. Watch Despicable Me on Apple TV
With the new Despicable Me movie on the horizon, one thing is sure: Gru, his family, and the Minions will continue entertaining audiences of all ages. Whether they'll recapture the magic of the original Despicable Me remains to be seen. Still, this ranking reminds us of the franchise's strengths: humor, heart, and the unlikely bond between a reformed supervillain and his gibberish-speaking sidekicks.
