Minions 3: The Record-Breaking Animated Franchise Returns in 2026

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Animated movie series have a tremendous capacity for success compared to other film genres, given their appeal to families who tend to purchase multiple tickets. As a result, they can swiftly become blockbusters at the box office. A prime example of this was observed last year with the release of Inside Out 2, an animated sequel that amassed a staggering $1.6 billion globally.

Pixar, along with Disney as a whole, holds a significant dominance in the realm of animation. The Toy Story series alone has amassed more than $3 billion worldwide and garnered fantastic critiques. Similarly, DreamWorks has seen considerable success with their Shrek franchise.

2010 saw the unexpected emergence of animation studio Illumination with the release of Despicable Me, which garnered an impressive box office revenue of $544 million. This success spawned numerous sequels and spin-offs, and now another installment in this franchise is on the horizon, promising even bigger returns.

Minions 3 Releases In One Year

It Comes Out July 1, 2026

In approximately a year, on July 1, 2026, the highly anticipated movie “Minions 3” will hit theaters. This follows two years after the release of “Despicable Me 4,” and four years since the sensational success of “Minions: The Rise of Gru.

As a movie enthusiast, I’m excited about the upcoming third installment of the “Despicable Me” series! Although the specifics of the plot are still under wraps, one thing is certain – Pierre Coffin will once again bring our beloved Minions to life with his voice! Additionally, we can expect Romesh Ranganathan to grace the screen as a new character named Dr. Nefario. If “Minions 3” picks up where “The Rise of Gru” left off, we might see Steve Carell reprising his role as young Gru too. I can hardly wait to find out more!

How Big Will Minions 3 Be Compared To The Rest Of the Franchise?

The Series Has Been On A Good Track

The third installment of the Minions series, Minions 3, has a strong chance of becoming a massive hit at the box office. Previous movies in this spinoff franchise have been major financial successes. For instance, the initial Minions movie raked in over $1 billion, and The Rise of Gru brought in an impressive $940 million.

Last year, “Despicable Me 4” was another blockbuster in cinemas, earning a staggering $969.5 million globally. Despite a slight dip compared to their earlier installments, the impressive earnings of both “Despicable Me 4” and “The Rise of Gru” indicate a promising future for “Minions 3”.

It’s worth noting that when Minions 3 hits the big screen, it will face some rivalry. Toy Story 5 is scheduled for release on June 19, 2026, and is expected to remain in cinemas by the time Minions 3 arrives. Additionally, Craig Gillespie’s Supergirl film is set for June 26, but the demographic overlap should not be a significant concern.

Which Animated Franchises Come Close To Despicable Me & Minions At The Box Office?

Shrek 5 Comes Out Next Year, Too

The Despicable Me series holds the title as the highest-earning animated franchise ever, and Minions 3 is expected to add to that total. Notably, Shrek, another animated franchise under Universal, is right behind in terms of record-breaking earnings. At this moment, Shrek 5 is set for release on December 23, 2026.

Even though Shrek 5 might be massive, it’s highly unlikely that it will overtake the Despicable Me franchise due to a gap of $1.6 billion in their earnings. Essentially, Minions 3 seems to face minimal competition on its path to box office success and reinforcing the franchise’s supremacy.

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2025-07-04 04:29