A Minion stands facing a large, orange, blob-like monster covered in numerous eyes. Text reads: "Minions & Monsters, Only in Theaters July 1.

“Minions & Monsters” — a fun Minions adventure for the whole family

July 7, 2026/Jan Wagner/
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The Minions are back with a wonderful new animated movie and a whole new tribe of Minions, featuring James, Henry, Ed and Dick (voiced by Pierre Coffin, who also directed and co-wrote this movie), along with a new cast of characters that includes Goomi (Trey Parker), Olivia (Allison Janney), Max (Christoph Waltz), Dort (Jesse Eisenberg), Frank and Elwood (Jeff Bridges), Debbie (Zoey Deutch) and Phillips & Howard (Bobby Moynihan & Phil LaMarr).

Three Minions float in orange goo among many eyeballs. Poster text reads: “Illumination’s Minions & Monsters. Only in Theaters July 1.”.
A person in a Minion costume stands in front of a Star 94.1 banner next to a column of yellow and blue balloons.
A radio station ran a promo at this pre-release screening.
Two children in yellow Minion costumes walk up theater stairs, while others sit in seats and a third person walks ahead. The theater is dimly lit with black walls and blue accents.
Some kids dressed up in costume for this pre-release screening.
A Minion stands on a red background with monster eyes. Text reads "Minions & Monsters, Only in Theaters July 1." A countdown timer shows 04:52.
A countdown timer on the screen built up even more excitement for this pre-release screening.
Two Minions in blue overalls stand next to a small green character in a white robe; one Minion is patting the green character’s head while smiling.
Teaser images gave us clues about who we would see at this pre-release screening.

The production information provides the Minions’ backstory. “They are expressive, impulsive, deeply loyal and almost always one misunderstanding away from disaster.” Their language, which sounds like a mix of squeaky gibberish and English, is part of their enduring appeal to young and old alike. “They may not speak a language audiences can translate word-for-word, but they have always made themselves understood through movement, emotion, sound and the precise art of physical comedy.”

The Minions franchise is arguably “the most successful animated film series in history.” They even have a whole area dedicated to them inside Universal Studios Hollywood.

Universal Studios Hollywood logo over a globe, with the tagline "The Entertainment Capital of LA" on a blue background.
Crowds walk under colorful umbrellas near the entrance to Super Silly Fun Land, with the Illumination building visible in the background on a sunny day.
These images are from some of my visits to see the Minions at Universal Studios Hollywood — always a fun time!
A colorful castle at Super Silly Fun Land features Minions on the towers and a whimsical green character beside it under a partly cloudy sky.
A statue of a Minion dressed as a royal guard stands against a purple wall with a decorative shield above it. The Minion holds a black staff and wears a tall black hat with a red plume.
Two Minion statues stand by a spilled can of pink paint on a wooden deck, one holding a paintbrush and smiling, the other looking surprised. Colorful amusement park structures are in the background.
Young child in a sunhat approaches a yellow ride shaped like a hybrid duck and Minion character at an outdoor play area.
Neon sign reading "Minion Cafe" with Minion characters from the Despicable Me franchise on a building exterior.
A colorful mural and a Minion Cafe sign are displayed on a brick building under a clear blue sky.
People walk near outdoor seating at the Minion Cafe, a themed restaurant with Minion decorations on the building, red umbrellas, and colorful plants.
Three rectangular wall art pieces depict stylized cartoon yellow characters with goggles, referencing Minions, with coffee cups and the word "CAFE" on a teal background.
Colorful menu featuring a Minion souvenir sipper, rotisserie chicken, pulled pork and classic grilled cheese, nachos, pork ramen bowl, chicken mac & cheese, caesar salad, and a blue float.
An orange and red-striped kiosk sells Minion merchandise, including clothing and toys, at an outdoor shopping area with people nearby.
A group of Minion characters are inside a metallic, submarine-shaped amusement ride, with one Minion outside on a mechanical arm.
Illustration of Minions running a race through Universal Studios Hollywood with the text "Running Universal" and event date "Saturday May 11, 2019.
A person in a Minion costume with a race bib poses near a Running Universal 5K event sign at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Two people in Minion costumes cross a finish line at Universal Studios Hollywood, with a staff member holding the banner and the Universal globe visible in the background.
Three people in Minion costumes stand on a red carpet as a woman prepares to cut a ribbon for the Running Universal event at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Three people in Minion costumes cross a finish line on a red carpet at an outdoor event, with a woman holding a yellow banner.
Two people in Minion costumes walk on a red carpet outdoors, wearing numbered bibs 003 and 002, holding yellow flags, with palm trees and event signs in the background.
Universal Studios Hollywood lanyard with a medal featuring Minions and the word "FINISH," likely from a themed event or race.
Two Minion statues, one holding a mug, stand in front of an "Illumination Entertainment" sign decorated with white streamers.

SPOILER ALERT: Just as you will see on the official website (https://www.illumination.com/movie/minions-monsters/), this review does contain spoilers, but they will not take away from the fun, I promise!

Several Minions dressed in medieval armor and tunics stand together holding spears, looking ahead with various facial expressions.
L to R: Ed, James and Henry in Illumination’s Minions & Monsters, directed by Pierre Coffin.
Six Minions in explorer hats look excitedly at a mummy emerging from a sarcophagus in an ancient, sand-filled Egyptian tomb.
Center L to R: Dick, Ed, James, Henry and additional Minions in Illumination’s Minions & Monsters, directed by Pierre Coffin.

Minions have a compelling need to serve an evil master, and they will spare no efforts to find one. This tribe of Minions is no different, and they searched far and wide to find one.

A group of Minions wearing makeshift outfits gather outdoors, some holding objects like pans and bottles, with surprised or confused expressions.
Illumination’s Minions & Monsters, directed by Pierre Coffin.
A giant shark with its mouth open faces three yellow Minions and a green character in a small wooden boat on the ocean.
Illumination’s Minions & Monsters, directed by Pierre Coffin.

In “Minions & Monsters” the Minions find themselves in 1920’s Hollywood at the dawn of cinema. It is fitting, therefore, that their adventure there begins in black & white, in the silent film era, where they spectacularly (and literally!) crash a Hollywood film set.

Minions are crowded between large interlocking gears and cogs, wearing goggles and blue overalls, inside an industrial machine.
Illumination’s Minions & Monsters, directed by Pierre Coffin.

The heroes of this new tribe of Minions are James and Henry. Against all odds, they hilariously stumble their way in front of the camera. They soon become silent movie stars, complete with all the perks of stardom — lavish mansion and all. They are living the life, making silent movies at Bright Brothers Pictures,

Animated character in a hat and mustache sits on a couch, waving, surrounded by five Minions, with fruit and grapes on the table in front of them.
Illumination’s Minions & Monsters, directed by Pierre Coffin.
Three Minions in tuxedos and a cowboy hat stand on red stairs, with dollar bills falling around them. The center Minion wears a necklace that says "RICH.
Illumination’s Minions & Monsters, directed by Pierre Coffin.
A Minion dressed as a clown with red hair, big glasses, and a red nose stands in front of a tank, wearing a polka-dot bow tie and grimacing.
Illumination’s Minions & Monsters, directed by Pierre Coffin.
A yellow animated character in a flying saucer is surprised while a chicken rides a tortilla on a stick beside it.
Illumination’s Minions & Monsters, directed by Pierre Coffin.
Two animated yellow Minions in denim overalls laugh and gesture while sitting in a metal bin; one holds a stuffed animal, with bright lights and a blurred background.
Illumination’s Minions & Monsters, directed by Pierre Coffin.

Of course that cannot last. When the ‘talkies’ arrive, everything changes. Minions speak Minionese, not English. Hollywood movies have scripts and cue cards — in English, but the Minions do their own thing. Of course, that got them into seriously hot water with the studio bosses, and soon they had all of the perks and benefits of their newfound stardom taken away from them. They were kicked off of the set and fired — cast out by the Hollywood establishment and left to fend for themselves. Destitute and aimless, the Minions roamed the streets of Hollywood looking for a purpose, a place to live and a new evil master to serve.

Three animated characters sit on a red couch, with two large men in blue suits on either side of a smaller, worried-looking man in the middle.
Illumination’s Minions & Monsters, directed by Pierre Coffin.
A person relaxes in bed reading a newspaper, surrounded by numerous Minions and a robot in an attic-like room.
Illumination’s Minions & Monsters, directed by Pierre Coffin.

With only a movie camera (a gift from their director, who wished them well) and their boundless, vivid imagination and optimism, James and Henry headed off on their own — apart from the other, more traditional Minions — to start over, doing their own thing.  They had so enjoyed their brief time starring in movies, that they decided to make their own movie — a monster movie! Now all they needed to do was find a monster…

Two Minions stand beside a colorful poster titled "Minions y Monstras," showing many Minions in front of a large cartoonish monster.
Illumination’s Minions & Monsters, directed by Pierre Coffin.
Two Minions in overalls stand beside a small green creature waving, with film equipment visible in the background.
Illumination’s Minions & Monsters, directed by Pierre Coffin.
Three Minions in overalls explore a dark area; one holds a torch, another looks through a monocle, and the third carries a gadget.
Illumination’s Minions & Monsters, directed by Pierre Coffin.
Several yellow, goggle-wearing Minions gather outdoors; one Minion in the center is filming with an old-fashioned movie camera.
Illumination’s Minions & Monsters, directed by Pierre Coffin.
Two Minions examine a strip of photographic film closely; one holds the film while the other looks over his shoulder.
Illumination’s Minions & Monsters, directed by Pierre Coffin.

Did they succeed? What would surely get in their way? You’ll have to see “Minions and Monsters” to find out! I will tell you that what follows is absolute Minions mayhem!

Three Minions holding torches stand beside a small green creature, all facing forward in a dimly lit stone chamber.
L to R: James, Ed, Henry and Goomi in Illumination’s Minions & Monsters, directed by Pierre Coffin.
Two cartoonish monsters, one blue and one pink, stand on a stage looking up at a large orange blob under bright lights.
Illumination’s Minions & Monsters, directed by Pierre Coffin.
Three animated characters face a large, orange, blob-like creature with many eyes in a brightly lit scene.
Illumination’s Minions & Monsters, directed by Pierre Coffin.
Three Minions are gathered around a book surrounded by lit candles in a dimly lit room with posters and debris on the walls.
L to R: Ed, James and Henry in Illumination’s Minions & Monsters, directed by Pierre Coffin.
Two Minions sit in front of a hut as streams of lava flow behind them, with shocked expressions on their faces.
Illumination’s Minions & Monsters, directed by Pierre Coffin.

Movie theaters are increasingly taking a page from theme parks, where the exit to a ride leads directly into a gift shop. In similar fashion, movie theaters have converted part of their lobby into a gift shop filled with movie memorabilia.

Concession stand at a movie theater with snacks, drinks, and merchandise; mural of people in formal attire, Las Vegas skyline, and fireworks above.

In past months I’ve added to my growing collection of movie memorabilia with expensive popcorn buckets and figurines from “Project Hail Mary” (Rocky in his clear habitat bubble and Dr. Grace’s helmet) and “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu” (a battery-operated AT-AT walker and a bust of the Mandalorian). Immediately after enjoying “Monsters & Minions” I impulsively bought a metal popcorn bucket and a drink cup with one of a variety of toppers. I’ve really got to stop doing this!

A dark-colored metal pail features the text "Illumination's Minions & Monsters" in yellow and blue lettering on the side.
A Minions-themed popcorn bucket and cup, featuring Minion characters and the text "WE'RE CREATORS From BEYOND," on a speckled surface.

To see official Illumination’s and Universal Pictures’ trailers for Minions & Monsters, go to https://youtu.be/ZSdOwt-G49w?si=Ulr0HSmMyNv48PcY (with SUBTITLES from the Minionese!) and https://youtu.be/UaH6fShfpuY?si=RD7roHFmQBd7o1Xp.

A Minion holding a banana stands in front of a red background filled with large, orange monster eyes. Text at the top promotes "Illumination's Minions & Monsters" movie, releasing July 1.

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