Who among us has never felt the pain of stepping on a Lego? Whether you missed a piece while cleaning up, or your kids couldn’t care less about inflicting an acute stabbing sensation in your foot that quickly travels up your spine, an unexpected encounter with those plastic bricks could feel near-fatal. Today, Illumination unleashed a new, extended trailer for its latest animated feature in the Despicable Me franchise, Minions & Monsters.
In the promo, James, one of the many Minions, presents his latest work of art to a larger-than-life cyclops. For one reason or another, the cyclops decides to step on the piece that James has fashioned from a Lego-like material. Upon coming into contact with the art, the cyclops reels with pain, creating a series of accidents that are sure to add more zeroes to his medical bills. After the catastrophe is seemingly over, the cyclops decides to rest and unexpectedly sits on a small tower of Legos, sending him screaming out the front door of his house. As he tumbles down a nearby hill, we see sharp spikes waiting for him at the bottom. It’s going to take him weeks, maybe months, to heal. Oh, James! What have you done?
Minions everywhere!
Minions & Monsters serves as a prequel to 2010’s Despicable Me and a sequel to 2022’s Minions: The Rise of Gru. The Minions are, of course, Gru’s mischief-making helpers from the beloved Despicable Me franchise. They’re like Ubisoft’s Rabbids, but far more popular, even going so far as to get their own interactive ride at Universal Studios Florida. The newest adventure is set in the world of 1920s Hollywood as the beloved, highlighter-yellow underlings work to find the lead of their monster movie. Described as “rambunctious, ridiculous, and totally true,” the story follows how the Minions conquered the entertainment industry and became movie stars … only to lose everything and unleash monsters onto the world before (as everyone knows) they banded together to save the planet from their mayhem.
Minions & Monsters finds Pierre Coffin returning to the money-printing franchise to direct the latest film in the series. Coffin is Despicable Me royalty, having directed the first three Despicable Me films and the first Minions movie. He also voices the Minions.
Chris Meledandri on the Minions legacy
“The Minions have always had a wonderfully subversive spirit and ‘Minions & Monsters’ delivers a full dose of irreverence and comedic mayhem,” said Illumination founder Chris Meledandri in March. “Pierre and his Illumination team have brought a level of artistry to the film that has thrilled me all throughout production. The voice cast is filled with exceptional talent. The film’s story is unexpected and delightful, and perhaps the most lovely surprise is how ‘Minions & Monsters’ serves to honor cinema, its origins and the comedians who are the original inspiration for these adorable little guys.”
Minions & Monsters opens in theaters on July 1, 2026.
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