Say Goodbye to Gru and the Minions: Despicable Me Movies Leaving Netflix Soon
Two beloved animated movies featuring the voice talents of Steve Carell are set to depart from Netflix next month. The first installment of the Despicable Me series was released in 2010 and quickly captured the hearts of audiences worldwide with its endearing storyline and lovable Minions. The sequel to the film achieved even greater success. Despicable Me and Despicable Me 2 will no longer be available on Netflix starting April 1, 2026.
The franchise follows the story of Gru, a supervillain who adopts three orphan girls as part of his plan to defeat another villain named Vector. Over time, Gru forms a bond with the girls and ultimately saves them from Vector with the assistance of his mischievous Minions. In the sequel, Gru is approached by secret agent Lucy to retrieve a powerful mutagen, leading to a confrontation with a suspected supervillain, El Macho, who aims to use the mutagen for world domination.
The original Despicable Me movie premiered in theaters on July 9, 2010, followed by its sequel on July 3, 2013. Together, the animated films have grossed over $1.5 billion globally. The franchise expanded to include additional sequels and spin-offs, with the upcoming release of the third Minions film, Minions & Monsters, scheduled for July 1, 2026. The overall success of the franchise has surpassed $5 billion in revenue.
The concept for the films initially featured robots instead of the iconic Minions, but directors Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud, along with character designer Eric Guillon, ultimately created the lovable yellow creatures inspired by various pop culture references. Despicable Me holds an 80% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, while Despicable Me 2 has a score of 75% and received two Oscar nominations.
In conclusion, fans of the Despicable Me series will need to catch up on the first two films before they leave Netflix in April. The heartwarming story of Gru, the adorable Minions, and their adventures have captivated audiences worldwide, making the franchise a massive success in the animated film industry.