A bright, fast-moving family sequel with enough slapstick, 80s-pop energy, and Minions chaos to keep younger viewers entertained, but it’s also widely seen as a thinner, more repetitive entry than the first two films.
Despicable Me 3
Where to watch: Buy
Movie · Action · Animation
Thu · 1h 30m
Director: Kyle Balda, Pierre Coffin
Starring: Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Trey Parker
Overview
Gru and his wife Lucy must stop former '80s child star Balthazar Bratt from achieving world domination.
Director
Kyle Balda, Pierre Coffin
Cast
Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Trey Parker
Curator Review
Verdict
A bright, fast-moving family sequel with enough slapstick, 80s-pop energy, and Minions chaos to keep younger viewers entertained, but it’s also widely seen as a thinner, more repetitive entry than the first two films.
Best for
families with younger kids
viewers who like loud, candy-colored animation
fans of broad slapstick and pop-culture parody
people who enjoyed the first two Despicable Me films
Skip if
you want a sharper or more emotional sequel
you’re tired of Minions-centric humor
you prefer animation with stronger story momentum
you dislike nostalgia-heavy 80s references
Overview
Despicable Me 3 is the kind of sequel that knows exactly what it is: a machine for jokes, slapstick, and merchandising-friendly chaos. The Balthazar Bratt material gives it a playful 80s-villain hook, and the movie leans hard into neon colors, needle drops, and exaggerated comic timing.
Worth noting
What it doesn’t have is much surprise. The story feels busier than inspired, and the film often relies on familiar rhythms from the earlier entries rather than finding a fresh emotional angle. Still, the animation is polished, the pacing is energetic, and kids are likely to be fully on board.
Bottom line
For adults, the mileage will depend on tolerance for Minions-style nonsense and broad family-comedy repetition. If you’re in the right mood, it’s harmless and occasionally funny; if not, it can feel like a very long toy commercial with a few decent gags attached.
Top Letterboxd reviews
James (Schaffrillas) (2★) · 3517 likes
I miss my homie Vector
Karsten · 3511 likes
If it wasn't obvious, and for anyone who came across this review on the movie's page, I've been watching Illumination movies all weekend. This is the last one. My mind went to some dark places. All I see is yellow, all I hear is Pharrell, all I smell is fart. Closest thing I can compare the experience of this marathon to is Super Size Me. Nobody should do this. Not for views, not for goofs, not out of curiosity. It's… more
Maria Jose Zambrano (2★) · 1335 likes
Despicable Me: Great, hilariously stupid Despicable Me 2: hilariously stupid Despicable Me 3: Stupid
Lawrence (3.5★) · 890 likes
minions are so funny when u ain’t got a bitch in ya ear telling you they’re annoying
DirkH (1★) · 768 likes
internal monologue while watching thisTruly and utterly bland as fuck. What were they.... DADDY DADDY DID YOU SEE THAT PIG!!!!!! HE'S SO FUNNY!!!! internal monologue while watching thisHmm, 4 year old seems to dig this crap. Well, what does she know. She's an idiot. Cute, but tiny. Jesus, that 'Look we're appealing to the adults with this 80s vibe' is truly grating. How much longer.... bwahahahahahahahahaha I can see his bottom!!!!! internal monologue while watching thisHuh? 9… more
Themes
family reconciliation, villain showdown, found family, sibling dynamics, nostalgia parody, slapstick comedy, good-vs-evil, parenting