For a first viewing, watch the Despicable Me and Minions films in release order. That means starting with Despicable Me (2010), then following the franchise through Despicable Me 2, Minions, Despicable Me 3, Minions: The Rise of Gru, Despicable Me 4, and Minions & Monsters.
If you prefer the story’s in-universe timeline, begin with the Minions’ earliest adventures instead. The chronological order starts with Minions & Monsters, set largely in 1920s Hollywood, and ends with Despicable Me 4.
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The Despicable Me movies in release order
There are seven feature-length animated films in the broader Despicable Me/Minions universe as of August 12, 2026: four numbered Despicable Me films and three Minions spin-offs. The strict theatrical release order is:
- Despicable Me (2010)
- Despicable Me 2 (2013)
- Minions (2015)
- Despicable Me 3 (2017)
- Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022)
- Despicable Me 4 (2024)
- Minions & Monsters (2026)
This is the best order for most first-time viewers. It introduces Gru and the Minions as audiences originally encountered them, preserves the development of Gru’s family story, and lets the prequel films work as expansions rather than introductions to characters the viewer has not yet met.
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1. Despicable Me (2010)
Gru begins as a career supervillain planning to steal the Moon. His scheme changes when he adopts Margo, Edith, and Agnes, three girls who gradually challenge his priorities. The film establishes the central cast and premise: Gru, the Minions, Dr. Nefario, Vector, and the three sisters.
It is the essential starting point because nearly every later film builds on Gru’s transformation from villain to devoted father and, eventually, a more conventional hero.
2. Despicable Me 2 (2013)
After leaving supervillainy behind, Gru is concentrating on parenthood when the Anti-Villain League recruits him to investigate a major crime. He works with Lucy Wilde, whose involvement expands both the action plot and Gru’s personal story.
Watch this directly after the first film: the emotional premise depends on Gru already having changed and on the girls already being part of his life.
3. Minions (2015)
This spin-off moves away from Gru and follows Kevin, Stuart, and Bob as they search for a new villain to serve. Their journey eventually takes them to 1960s New York and London, where they encounter Scarlet Overkill.
Minions is a prequel, but its humor and character dynamics land best after the first two Despicable Me films have established what the Minions are like and how they relate to Gru.
4. Despicable Me 3 (2017)
Gru is fired from the Anti-Villain League and discovers that he has a long-lost twin brother, Dru. At the same time, the brothers face Balthazar Bratt, a former child star turned supervillain.
The film follows the family and professional developments of the first two numbered movies, so it belongs after Despicable Me 2. The 2015 Minions spin-off fits between them in strict release order because it was released before this film.
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5. Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022)
Set in the 1970s, this prequel follows 11-year-old Gru as he tries to establish himself in the supervillain world. The Minions become involved in his ambitions, showing the early relationship between the young Gru and the characters who later become his loyal helpers.
Although its story occurs decades before the main series, it was released after Despicable Me 3. For a first marathon, keep it in that release position rather than moving it to the beginning.
6. Despicable Me 4 (2024)
Gru and Lucy are married and raising their daughters when they welcome a new member of the family, Gru Jr. They also face Maxime Le Mal and Valentina.
This is the latest numbered Despicable Me film and should follow the preceding Gru-centered entries in either release order or the main story timeline.
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The newest feature follows a different group of Minions in 1920s Hollywood. They become involved in filmmaking and accidentally unleash monsters.
It is the seventh feature in release order, even though its setting makes it the earliest story in the recommended chronological timeline. The film’s theatrical release information identified July 1, 2026 as its opening date. Availability after its theatrical run may differ by country and may change over time.
Chronological story order
For viewers who want to follow the apparent in-universe timeline rather than the films’ release dates, use this order:
- Minions & Monsters (2026) — set largely in 1920s Hollywood.
- Minions (2015) — reaches the 1960s.
- Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022) — set in the 1970s, when Gru is 11.
- Despicable Me (2010) — follows Gru as an adult supervillain who adopts the three girls.
- Despicable Me 2 (2013) — continues Gru’s family story after he abandons supervillainy.
- Despicable Me 3 (2017) — takes place while Gru is an Anti-Villain League agent and introduces Dru.
- Despicable Me 4 (2024) — follows Gru and Lucy as a married couple raising their family and welcoming Gru Jr.
This timeline is supported by the films’ explicit period settings, but Illumination has not presented a detailed year-by-year chronology for every event. In particular, the early Minions films are best ordered by their stated historical settings: the 1920s material in Minions & Monsters comes before the 1960s setting of Minions, which comes before the 1970s setting of The Rise of Gru.
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Which order is best?
| Viewer | Best order | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-time viewer | Release order | It introduces the characters as the franchise intended and preserves Gru’s major character arc. |
| Viewer focused on Gru | The four numbered films | It follows the central family and Anti-Villain League storyline without requiring the spin-offs. |
| Viewer who prioritizes in-universe history | Chronological order | It begins with the earliest historical settings and follows the Minions toward Gru’s adult story. |
| Family wanting the simplest marathon | Release order | It avoids jumping between decades and makes the series’ progression easy to follow. |
Our recommendation: choose release order for a first marathon, then watch the chronological order on a rewatch if the historical progression interests you.
If you only want the main Gru story
You can skip the spin-offs and watch the four numbered films in this order:
- Despicable Me (2010)
- Despicable Me 2 (2013)
- Despicable Me 3 (2017)
- Despicable Me 4 (2024)
This route covers Gru’s transformation, his relationship with the girls and Lucy, his work with the Anti-Villain League, his discovery of Dru, and the family’s later life with Gru Jr. Universal’s official Illumination’s Despicable Me 4-Movie Collection contains these four films and is listed in Blu-ray, DVD, and digital formats. The listed combined runtime is 6 hours 18 minutes.
Best physical collection for the core series
If you want one purchase covering the main Gru storyline, the Despicable Me 4-Movie Collection Blu-ray + Digital is the most direct option. It includes Despicable Me, Despicable Me 2, Despicable Me 3, and Despicable Me 4. It does not include Minions, Minions: The Rise of Gru, or Minions & Monsters, so it is not a complete seven-film collection.
Where to watch the films
Streaming catalogs vary by country and can change without notice. The availability information below is U.S.-oriented and reflects the official listings available at the time of research; it should not be treated as a worldwide or permanent catalog.
Peacock’s official pages currently list:
- Despicable Me
- Despicable Me 2
- Minions: The Rise of Gru
- Despicable Me 4
That does not establish that all seven films are available there at once. Peacock’s own availability warnings are important, particularly if you are planning a marathon around a specific date.
A Peacock franchise article dated June 29, 2026 describes Minions & Monsters as opening in theaters on July 1, 2026. A separate Peacock listing for the film is for a four-minute exclusive look, not evidence that the full feature is streaming. Check the title-level listing in your region before subscribing or beginning the marathon.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to plan the marathon
For a one-day viewing
The four-film Gru route has a listed combined runtime of 6 hours 18 minutes, before breaks, menus, or bonus material. The complete seven-film marathon will take longer and should be divided into two sessions for most families.
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- Session two: Despicable Me 3, Minions: The Rise of Gru, Despicable Me 4, and Minions & Monsters.
Alternatively, watch the four numbered films first and treat the three Minions spin-offs as optional follow-up films. That gives the marathon a complete central arc without requiring viewers to commit to every side story.
For younger viewers
Release order is generally easier to explain because the characters and family relationships develop in the same order audiences first saw them. The chronological option jumps from a 1920s setting to the 1960s and 1970s before moving to Gru’s adult life, which may be less intuitive even though it follows the fictional timeline.
What is included—and what is not
This guide covers the seven feature-length animated films in the Despicable Me/Minions universe. It does not include short films, television specials, promotional clips, trailers, or bonus mini-movies. Those extras can be enjoyable, but they are not necessary to understand the feature-film story and do not form a required viewing order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I watch the Despicable Me movies in release order or chronological order?
Watch them in release order for your first viewing. It introduces Gru, the girls, Lucy, and the Minions in the intended sequence. Use chronological order for a rewatch or if you specifically want to follow the films’ historical settings.
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The order is Despicable Me (2010), Despicable Me 2 (2013), Minions (2015), Despicable Me 3 (2017), Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022), Despicable Me 4 (2024), and Minions & Monsters (2026).
What is the chronological order?
The best-supported chronological order is Minions & Monsters, Minions, Minions: The Rise of Gru, Despicable Me, Despicable Me 2, Despicable Me 3, and Despicable Me 4.
Can I skip the Minions movies?
Yes. Watch the four numbered Despicable Me films to follow Gru’s main family and Anti-Villain League story. The three Minions films expand the universe but are not required to understand the numbered films.
Are all seven movies on Peacock?
Not according to the U.S. listings used for this guide. Official Peacock pages list several films, including Despicable Me, Despicable Me 2, Minions: The Rise of Gru, and Despicable Me 4, but availability changes and the evidence does not establish that all seven are included. Check the current local catalog.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: for your first Despicable Me marathon, watch the seven films in release order: Despicable Me, Despicable Me 2, Minions, Despicable Me 3, Minions: The Rise of Gru, Despicable Me 4, and Minions & Monsters. If you only want Gru’s central story, watch the four numbered films. For the fictional timeline, start with Minions & Monsters and proceed through the two other prequels before watching the four main films.
Quick Recap
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