Film

Minions: The Rise of Gru

Name: Minions: The Rise of Gru
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Crime, Science Fiction, Family
Released: 2022
Cast: Steve Carell, Pierre Coffin, Alan Arkin, Taraji P. Henson, Michelle Yeoh

Illumination's manic origin story yanks Gru back to age eleven, dropping him and his loyal yellow chaos-goblins into a groovy 1970s spy-movie world where he cons his way into a supervillain supergroup. It's sugar-rush slapstick with funk needle-drops and gags fired at toddler height, but there's real sweetness under the mayhem. Great for kids and nostalgic parents; adults hoping for satire or subtlety should look elsewhere.

TMDb rating

7.3

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The film that started it all — meet Gru before he had a criminal empire of minions, and watch the joke of a supervillain turning into a soft-hearted dad land for the first time.

But The animation and jokes feel a touch dated next to the slicker sequels and spin-offs that followed.

Despicable Me 22013no page yet

Gru goes straight and gets recruited by an anti-villain league, with the Minions turning purple and feral along the way — bigger, sillier, and just as warm underneath.

But The romantic subplot for Gru feels tacked on and slows down the chaos fans actually come for.

The Incredibles2004

Pixar's superhero family comedy shares the DNA — a secret criminal past, a loving family, gorgeous mid-century design — but with sharper wit and genuine stakes.

But It's a real action movie with tension and peril, a noticeable tonal step up from the Minions films.

The wildcard

Something you would not have found on your own.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon2000

Same star, opposite register: Yeoh's Master Chow is a comic wink at the disciplined warrior she plays with total sincerity in this landmark wuxia epic.

Michelle Yeoh voices a cartoon kung fu master here for laughs — go watch her do the real thing in one of the most gorgeous, soulful wuxia films ever made.

But It's a slow, melancholy, subtitled drama about honour and restraint — nothing like the film that led you here.

Megamind2010

Another blue supervillain desperate for a rival worth fighting, voiced by Will Ferrell with real heart under the gags — a spiritual cousin to Gru's whole arc.

But It leans harder into rom-com beats and can feel more sentimental than laugh-out-loud funny.

Zootopia2016

Swap minions for a rookie bunny cop and you get the same crime-caper energy dressed up as a buddy comedy, with sharper social satire hiding underneath the fun.

But It's more plot-driven and less anarchic — don't expect wall-to-wall slapstick.

Kung Fu Panda2008

The same underdog-joins-the-cool-club structure, but wrapped in genuinely gorgeous martial arts animation and a surprisingly moving story about self-belief.

But Less chaotic comedy, more earnest coming-of-age — the jokes land gentler than Minions' sugar rush.

Shrek2001

The original irreverent, pop-culture-stuffed animated comedy that proved kids' films could wink at adults too — the tonal ancestor of Illumination's whole house style.

But The early-2000s humor and soundtrack choices show their age now.

Sing2016no page yet

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But It's sincerer and more musical-theatre than comedic; expect heart over jokes here.

The Secret Life of Pets2016no page yet

If it's pure Illumination-brand slapstick chaos you want, this delivers — talking pets, city mayhem, gags fired at the same relentless clip as Minions.

But Thinner story and characters than Gru's world; it's mostly riding on the jokes alone.

The General1926

The Minions' wordless slapstick descends straight from silent comedy; Keaton's stunt-driven chases are the blueprint for the chaos Illumination still runs on today.

Before Minions spoke in gibberish and let stunts do the talking, Buster Keaton built entire comedies on pure physical timing — this train-chase masterpiece is the purest ancestor of that language.

But It's black-and-white, silent, and nearly a century old — a real ask if you want noise, color, and dialogue.

The Taking of Pelham One Two Three1974

Same era, same code-named-criminal-gang setup played for genuine stakes instead of gags — the seedy 1970s underworld that Minions borrows its whole aesthetic from.

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But It's a straight-faced adult thriller with real menace — the tone couldn't be further from a kids' comedy.