Despicable Me 2010
Start here. The first film in release order; in story order it follows the three Minions prequels. Introduces Gru, the girls and the Minions.
Despicable Me movies in order
7 films
There are seven films in one continuity: four Despicable Me films and three Minions films. The page recommends release order because the four Despicable Me films follow each other in story order, and the three Minions films are prequels that were made to be seen after them. Story order puts Minions & Monsters (set in 1920) first, then Minions (1968), then Minions: The Rise of Gru (1976), before the first Despicable Me. The Minions films are optional on a first run.
10h 45mTotal runtime
3Evenings
2010First release
2026Latest release
The release order
Checked 26 Oct 2026 · Runtimes are theatrical cutsDespicable Me 2 2013
Direct sequel to the first film. Gru, the girls and the Minions return, and Lucy Wilde is introduced.
Minions 2015
Prequel to Despicable Me, set in 1968, with Scarlet Overkill as the boss of the Minions before Gru. First of the three Minions films. Optional on a first run.
Despicable Me 3 2017
Sequel to Despicable Me 2, set some time after it. Gru, Lucy, the girls and the Minions return; Dru, the twin brother of Gru, is introduced.
Minions: The Rise of Gru 2022
Prequel set in 1976, after Minions and before Despicable Me, with Gru aged eleven. Optional on a first run.
Despicable Me 4 2024
Sequel to Despicable Me 3. Gru, Lucy, the girls and the Minions return, joined by baby Gru Jr.; Dru has a cameo.
Minions & Monsters 2026
Third Minions prequel, set in 1920, 48 years before Minions. Earliest in story order. Optional on a first run.
Questions
Answers come from the entries aboveWhich Despicable Me entries are optional or spin-offs?
Minions, Minions: The Rise of Gru and Minions & Monsters are spin-offs. The release order above says where each one fits.
Which Despicable Me film should you start with?
Start with Despicable Me (2010). The three later Despicable Me films follow on from it, and the Minions films are prequels that were made after it.
Is a new Despicable Me film announced?
No. Nothing has been announced. This page updates the week a new Despicable Me film is.
Is Minions set before Despicable Me?
Yes. Minions (2015) is a prequel set in 1968, before Gru's story in Despicable Me (2010), and it was made to be watched after the Despicable Me films.
What year is Minions: The Rise of Gru set in?
Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022) is set in 1976, eight years after Minions (1968), with Gru aged eleven. It comes before Despicable Me (2010) in story order.
Is Minions & Monsters a prequel?
Yes. Minions & Monsters (2026) is set in 1920, which makes it the earliest film in story order, before Minions (1968). It was released on 1 July 2026.
Chronological order
Story order, left to right, top to bottomStory order. Years are story settings where the films state them, otherwise release years.
11920
Minions & Monsters
Third Minions prequel, set in 1920, 48 years before Minions.
21968
Minions
Prequel to Despicable Me, set in 1968, with Scarlet Overkill as the boss of the Minions before Gru.
31976
Minions: The Rise of Gru
Prequel set in 1976, after Minions and before Despicable Me, with Gru aged eleven.
42010
Despicable Me
The first film in release order; in story order it follows the three Minions prequels.
52013
Despicable Me 2
Direct sequel to the first film.
62017
Despicable Me 3
Sequel to Despicable Me 2, set some time after it.
72024
Despicable Me 4
Sequel to Despicable Me 3.
Next Despicable Me film: none announced
No new Despicable Me film has been announced. This page updates the week one is.
Edit history
- 26 Oct 2026Checked. No new entries. Minions & Monsters now links to its own film page.
- 26 Oct 2026Added common questions.
- 22 Oct 2026Entry notes extended with continuity details from the franchise page.
- 15 Oct 2026Page created and checked against Wikipedia.
Every date and runtime on this page was checked against the sources listed below. Report a correction.
All sources
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Despicable_Me
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minions_%26_Monsters_(film)
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minions_(film_series)
- Despicable Me on Wikipedia
- Despicable Me 2 on Wikipedia
- Minions on Wikipedia
- Despicable Me 3 on Wikipedia
- Minions: The Rise of Gru on Wikipedia
- Despicable Me 4 on Wikipedia
- Minions & Monsters on Wikipedia