The yellow, goggle-eyed Minions are set to return to the big screen this summer in what’s shaping up to be one of 2026’s most anticipated family films. The first trailer for Minions & Monsters—the third installment in the Minions series and seventh in the sprawling Despicable Me franchise—dropped during Super Bowl LX on February 9, 2026, igniting excitement among fans and industry watchers alike. Universal Pictures and Illumination have officially slated the animated sequel for a July 1, 2026, theatrical release, with industry insiders already predicting it could join the billion-dollar club at the box office.
Unlike its predecessor, Minions: The Rise of Gru, which continued the saga of a young Gru and his mischievous helpers, Minions & Monsters stands as a unique, stand-alone adventure. According to ComicBook.com, this latest outing finds the Minions embarking on a meta-Hollywood journey: they set out to make their own movie—naturally titled Minions & Monsters—and, in true Minion fashion, things quickly spiral out of control. Instead of sticking to the script, the Minions dabble in ancient Eldritch magic, summoning real monsters to star in their film, including a surprisingly adorable Cthulhu-like creature. The result? Hijinks, chaos, and a quest to find monsters worthy of their cinematic vision.
The trailer, which aired during the Super Bowl broadcast of the New England Patriots versus the Seattle Seahawks on NBC and Peacock, gave viewers their first taste of the film’s slapstick humor and fantastical storytelling. As The Hollywood Reporter described, the teaser featured a Minion running breathlessly toward the camera, shouting “minions” and “monster,” before an unseen beast’s roar echoed in the background. The spot ended with a prompt for viewers to watch the full trailer online, where fans were treated to scenes of Minions in 1920s Hollywood, battling monsters, and (of course) getting in way over their heads.
Setting the film in the 1920s is a fresh twist for the franchise. As reported by Universal Parks News Today, the story centers on a trio of Minions who travel to Hollywood during the silent film era to chase their dreams of becoming filmmakers. Their ambitions, however, take a wild turn when they stumble upon a spellbook and accidentally unleash monsters onto the world. The film then follows their madcap efforts to save both their movie and the planet from the mayhem they’ve created. This blend of old Hollywood glamour and supernatural chaos promises a “rambunctious, ridiculous, totally true story,” as FirstShowing.net put it, that will likely appeal to both children and adults.
Returning to direct is Pierre Coffin, the creative force behind the Minions since their debut in 2010’s Despicable Me. Coffin, an Academy Award nominee, has directed all three Despicable Me films, the first Minions movie, and now Minions & Monsters. He also continues to provide the iconic voices for the Minions themselves—a role that has become as synonymous with the franchise as their signature overalls and slapstick antics. The screenplay is penned by Brian Lynch, known for his work on Minions and The Secret Life of Pets films, with Coffin also contributing to the script. The film is produced by Illumination’s founder and CEO Chris Meledandri, alongside Bill Ryan, both of whom have been instrumental in shepherding the franchise to its current global stature.
While the full voice cast has yet to be officially revealed, the franchise is known for its star-studded lineups. Previous films have featured the likes of Sandra Bullock, Steve Carell, Alan Arkin, Taraji P. Henson, and Michelle Yeoh. Whether Carell’s Gru will make an appearance in Minions & Monsters remains a mystery, but Coffin’s involvement ensures the Minions’ signature charm and humor will be front and center.
Financially, the Minions are nothing short of a juggernaut. As The Hollywood Reporter notes, the combined Despicable Me and Minions movies have grossed nearly $5 billion worldwide, making it one of the most successful animated franchises in history. The timing of Minions & Monsters—coming just two years after the blockbuster success of Despicable Me 4—suggests Universal and Illumination are keen to keep the momentum going. In a 2024 interview, Despicable Me 4 director Chris Renaud shared, “There are always conversations like that, and what we can do and where we can go with the characters. Nothing specific at the moment, particularly since I just finished this one, but there are always those conversations on, ‘Where else can they go and what changes can we make? How can we keep it exciting and fresh? We’ll see what happens.’” This spirit of innovation is clearly alive in the new film’s Hollywood-meets-monsters premise.
The Minions’ cultural impact extends beyond the box office. With promotional events and merchandise expected to flood Universal Parks worldwide as the release approaches, fans will have plenty of opportunities to immerse themselves in the Minions universe. According to Universal Parks News Today, themed attractions and products are already in the pipeline, promising a summer of yellow, banana-fueled fun.
In a nod to franchise history, the title Minions & Monsters may ring a bell for die-hard fans. As ComicBook.com points out, it was previously used for a 2021 Minions Mini-Movie that aired exclusively on NBC. That short, which featured Minions cosplaying on laundry day, is unrelated to the new feature film—other than sharing the title. The new movie, with its grander scale and original storyline, stands apart as a fresh chapter in the Minions’ ongoing saga.
What can audiences expect from Minions & Monsters? If the trailer is any indication, there will be plenty of slapstick chaos, clever meta-humor, and just the right amount of spooky (but family-friendly) monster action. The film’s blend of 1920s Hollywood nostalgia, supernatural mayhem, and classic Minion antics seems poised to capture the imaginations of both longtime fans and new viewers alike. As Illumination’s official synopsis puts it, this is the “rambunctious, ridiculous, and totally true story of how the Minions conquered Hollywood, became movie stars, lost everything, unleashed monsters onto the world and then banded together to try and save the planet from the mayhem they had just created.”
With its July 1, 2026, release date locked in, Minions & Monsters is set to kick off the summer movie season in style. Whether you’re a parent, a longtime fan, or just looking for a fun escape, the Minions’ latest adventure promises plenty of laughs, surprises, and maybe even a few monsters you wouldn’t mind inviting to your next movie night.
The Minions, it seems, are ready for their close-up—again.