# Minions: The Rise of Gru
Where to watch: Netflix
Type: Movie
Genres: Animation, Comedy, Science Fiction, Crime, Family
Rating: PG
Year: 2022
Runtime: 1h 27m
Curator Score: ★ 28%
Rating count: 111,353
Tagline: A villain will rise.
Director: Kyle Balda
Main stars: Steve Carell, Pierre Coffin, Alan Arkin
Curator Watchlist
https://www.curatorwatchlist.com › minions-the-rise-of-gru
Minions: The Rise of Gru
A loud, fast, joke-dense animated sequel that works best as a kid-friendly chaos machine and a nostalgia play for fans of the franchise’s absurdity. It’s uneven and often feels like a string of gags, but the visual energy, slapstick, and surprisingly strong villain-team antics keep it afloat.
Plot overview:
A fanboy of a supervillain supergroup known as the Vicious 6, Gru hatches a plan to become evil enough to join them, with the backup of his followers, the Minions.
Cast: Steve Carell, Pierre Coffin, Alan Arkin, Taraji P. Henson, Michelle Yeoh, Julie Andrews, Russell Brand, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Dolph Lundgren, Danny Trejo, Lucy Lawless, Jimmy O. Yang, Kevin Michael Richardson, John DiMaggio, RZA, Michael Beattie, Will Arnett, Steve Coogan, Colette Whitaker, Raymond S. Persi
Production: Universal Pictures, Illumination
Where to watch: Netflix
Curator Review
Verdict: A loud, fast, joke-dense animated sequel that works best as a kid-friendly chaos machine and a nostalgia play for fans of the franchise’s absurdity. It’s uneven and often feels like a string of gags, but the visual energy, slapstick, and surprisingly strong villain-team antics keep it afloat.
Best for: families with younger kids; viewers who enjoy broad slapstick and visual comedy; fans of the Despicable Me/Minions brand of nonsense; people looking for an easy, low-stakes streaming watch
Skip if: you want sharp writing or a tightly structured plot; you dislike hyperactive kids’ comedy; you’re not already receptive to Minions-style humor; you prefer character-driven animation with emotional depth
Overview: Minions: The Rise of Gru is exactly what it advertises: a sugar-rush prequel built around chaos, pratfalls, and the relentless appeal of tiny yellow agents of disorder. The movie’s biggest strength is its pace; it keeps throwing visual jokes, chase scenes, and absurd set pieces at the screen with very little downtime.
Worth noting: The story is thin, but the villain squad and 1970s setting give it enough texture to feel like more than a sketch reel. It’s also one of those animated films that knows its audience: kids will latch onto the slapstick, while adults may get a few extra laughs from the period references and the sheer commitment to silliness.
Bottom line: That said, the film’s appeal is highly specific. If Minions already work for you, this is a competent, brightly packaged serving of the same thing. If they don’t, the movie is unlikely to convert you; it’s more likely to feel like noise with production value.
Top Letterboxd reviews:
- Jake: I want to sleep with them but not inappropriately like I just wanna snuggle with them and hug them and kiss them make sure they are okay
- Muriel: If you think about it the minions are kinda like Jackass for children
- Karsten: shoutout to gru and them
- Santiago Rodríguez: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⢀⣀⣀⣄⣀⡀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⢀⣴⠾⠛⠉⠉⠉⠉⠛⠿⣦⡀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⢠⡿⠁⠀⢀⣠⣤⣤⣄⡀⠀⠈⢿⡆⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⢀⣿⣁⣀⣠⡿⠋⠀⠀⠙⢿⣄⣀⣈⣿⡀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⢸⣿⠛⠛⢻⣧⠀⠿⠇⠀⣼⡟⠛⠛⣿⡇⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⢸⣿⠀⠀⠀⠙⢷⣦⣴⡾⠋⠀⠀⠀⣿⡇⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⢸⣿⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⣿⡇⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⣸⣿⠀⠀⠀⠛⠷⠶⠶⠾⠛⠀⠀⠀⣿⣇⠀⠀ ⠀⣸⣿⣿⢷⣦⣀⣀⣀⣀⣀⣀⣀⣀⣴⡾⣿⣿⣇⠀ ⢠⣿⢸⣿⠀⣿⡏⠉⠉⠉⠉⠉⠉⢹⣿⠀⣿⡇⣿⡄ ⢸⡏⢸⣿⣀⣿⡇⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⢸⣿⣀⣿⡇⢹⡇ ⢸⡇⠀⢿⣏⠉⠁⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠈⠉⣹⡿⠀⢸⡇ ⢸⣿⣤⣌⠛⠷⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⠾⠛⣡⣤⣿⡇ ⠘⠿⠿⠇⠀⠀⠀⢿⡾⠇⠸⢷⡿⠀⠀⠀⠸⠿⠿⠃ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠛⠛⠁⠈⠛⠛⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- Charlotte: Bob vapenation💯💯💯
Recommended similar titles:
- Despicable Me 2 (2013 · Animation, Comedy, Family · 1h 38m · PG · Where to watch: Peacock Premium, Peacock Premium Plus)
The closest tonal match: more Minions mayhem, more villainy, and the same blend of family comedy and slapstick energy.
- Despicable Me (2010 · Animation, Comedy, Crime · 1h 35m · PG · Where to watch: Max)
If the appeal is Gru’s awkward rise from would-be supervillain to unlikely antihero, this is the essential starting point.
- The Incredibles (2004 · Action, Adventure, Animation · 1h 55m · PG · Where to watch: Disney Plus)
A slick, family-friendly action-comedy with strong character dynamics and a playful sense of superpowered mischief.
- The Lego Movie (2014 · Animation, Family, Adventure · 1h 40m · PG)
Shares the same high-energy, joke-a-minute approach and a surprisingly effective balance of chaos and heart.
- Shrek (2001 · Animation, Comedy, Fantasy · 1h 30m · PG · Where to watch: Peacock, Peacock Premium Plus)
A foundational mainstream animated comedy that mixes irreverence, fairy-tale parody, and broad crowd-pleasing humor.
- Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022 · Animation, Adventure, Fantasy · 1h 43m · PG · Where to watch: Peacock Premium, Peacock Premium Plus)
For viewers who want animated comedy with more style, sharper action, and a stronger emotional spine.
- Kung Fu Panda (2008 · Action, Animation, Comedy · 1h 30m · PG)
Another family animation built on underdog ambition, goofy comedy, and surprisingly polished action choreography.
- Madagascar (2005 · Adventure, Animation, Comedy · 1h 26m · PG)
A good fit for viewers who enjoy loud ensemble antics, animal-based chaos, and a deliberately silly tone.
- The Emperor's New Groove (2000 · Adventure, Animation, Comedy · 1h 18m · G · Where to watch: Disney Plus)
Fast, irreverent, and joke-driven, with a strong sense of cartoon timing and an anti-serious attitude.
- Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2009 · Animation, Comedy, Family · 1h 30m · PG · Where to watch: Peacock Premium, Peacock Premium Plus)
Shares the same willingness to go fully absurd while keeping the tone bright, playful, and kid-accessible.
- Monsters, Inc. (2001 · Animation, Comedy, Family · 1h 32m · G · Where to watch: Disney Plus)
A family animation with strong comedic rhythm, memorable side characters, and a warm emotional core.
- The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021 · Animation, Adventure, Comedy · 1h 54m · PG · Where to watch: Netflix)
For audiences who like animated chaos that feels contemporary, visually inventive, and genuinely funny.
Themes: coming-of-age, mentorship, villainy, found family, chaos, ambition, identity, friendship
Topics: animation, family comedy, slapstick, heist-adjacent, villain origin story, 1970s setting, broad humor, fast-paced, kid-friendly, absurdist
https://www.curatorwatchlist.com/movie/minions-the-rise-of-gru/438148
Minions: The Rise of Gru
Where to watch: Netflix
Movie · Animation · Comedy · PG
2022 · 1h 27m · ★ 28% (111K)
A villain will rise.
Director: Kyle Balda
Starring: Steve Carell, Pierre Coffin, Alan Arkin
Overview A fanboy of a supervillain supergroup known as the Vicious 6, Gru hatches a plan to become evil enough to join them, with the backup of his followers, the Minions.
Production Universal Pictures, Illumination
Cast Steve Carell, Pierre Coffin, Alan Arkin, Taraji P. Henson, Michelle Yeoh, Julie Andrews, Russell Brand, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Dolph Lundgren, Danny Trejo, Lucy Lawless, Jimmy O. Yang, Kevin Michael Richardson, John DiMaggio, RZA, Michael Beattie, Will Arnett, Steve Coogan, Colette Whitaker, Raymond S. Persi
Curator Review
Verdict
A loud, fast, joke-dense animated sequel that works best as a kid-friendly chaos machine and a nostalgia play for fans of the franchise’s absurdity. It’s uneven and often feels like a string of gags, but the visual energy, slapstick, and surprisingly strong villain-team antics keep it afloat.
Best for
families with younger kids
viewers who enjoy broad slapstick and visual comedy
fans of the Despicable Me/Minions brand of nonsense
people looking for an easy, low-stakes streaming watch
Skip if
you want sharp writing or a tightly structured plot
you dislike hyperactive kids’ comedy
you’re not already receptive to Minions-style humor
you prefer character-driven animation with emotional depth
Overview
Minions: The Rise of Gru is exactly what it advertises: a sugar-rush prequel built around chaos, pratfalls, and the relentless appeal of tiny yellow agents of disorder. The movie’s biggest strength is its pace; it keeps throwing visual jokes, chase scenes, and absurd set pieces at the screen with very little downtime.
Worth noting
The story is thin, but the villain squad and 1970s setting give it enough texture to feel like more than a sketch reel. It’s also one of those animated films that knows its audience: kids will latch onto the slapstick, while adults may get a few extra laughs from the period references and the sheer commitment to silliness.
Bottom line
That said, the film’s appeal is highly specific. If Minions already work for you, this is a competent, brightly packaged serving of the same thing. If they don’t, the movie is unlikely to convert you; it’s more likely to feel like noise with production value.
Top Letterboxd reviews
Jake (4.5★) · 6718 likes
I want to sleep with them but not inappropriately like I just wanna snuggle with them and hug them and kiss them make sure they are okay
Muriel · 6316 likes
If you think about it the minions are kinda like Jackass for children
Karsten (3★) · 5671 likes
shoutout to gru and them
Santiago Rodríguez (3.5★) · 5291 likes
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⢀⣀⣀⣄⣀⡀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⢀⣴⠾⠛⠉⠉⠉⠉⠛⠿⣦⡀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⢠⡿⠁⠀⢀⣠⣤⣤⣄⡀⠀⠈⢿⡆⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⢀⣿⣁⣀⣠⡿⠋⠀⠀⠙⢿⣄⣀⣈⣿⡀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⢸⣿⠛⠛⢻⣧⠀⠿⠇⠀⣼⡟⠛⠛⣿⡇⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⢸⣿⠀⠀⠀⠙⢷⣦⣴⡾⠋⠀⠀⠀⣿⡇⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⢸⣿⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⣿⡇⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⣸⣿⠀⠀⠀⠛⠷⠶⠶⠾⠛⠀⠀⠀⣿⣇⠀⠀ ⠀⣸⣿⣿⢷⣦⣀⣀⣀⣀⣀⣀⣀⣀⣴⡾⣿⣿⣇⠀ ⢠⣿⢸⣿⠀⣿⡏⠉⠉⠉⠉⠉⠉⢹⣿⠀⣿⡇⣿⡄ ⢸⡏⢸⣿⣀⣿⡇⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⢸⣿⣀⣿⡇⢹⡇ ⢸⡇⠀⢿⣏⠉⠁⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠈⠉⣹⡿⠀⢸⡇ ⢸⣿⣤⣌⠛⠷⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⣶⠾⠛⣡⣤⣿⡇ ⠘⠿⠿⠇⠀⠀⠀⢿⡾⠇⠸⢷⡿⠀⠀⠀⠸⠿⠿⠃ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠛⠛⠁⠈⠛⠛⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Charlotte (5★) · 4387 likes
Bob vapenation💯💯💯
Recommended similar titles
2013 · Animation, Comedy, Family · 1h 38m · PG · Where to watch: Peacock Premium, Peacock Premium Plus
The closest tonal match: more Minions mayhem, more villainy, and the same blend of family comedy and slapstick energy.
2010 · Animation, Comedy, Crime · 1h 35m · PG · Where to watch: Max
If the appeal is Gru’s awkward rise from would-be supervillain to unlikely antihero, this is the essential starting point.
2004 · Action, Adventure, Animation · 1h 55m · PG · Where to watch: Disney Plus
A slick, family-friendly action-comedy with strong character dynamics and a playful sense of superpowered mischief.
2014 · Animation, Family, Adventure · 1h 40m · PG
Shares the same high-energy, joke-a-minute approach and a surprisingly effective balance of chaos and heart.
2001 · Animation, Comedy, Fantasy · 1h 30m · PG · Where to watch: Peacock, Peacock Premium Plus
A foundational mainstream animated comedy that mixes irreverence, fairy-tale parody, and broad crowd-pleasing humor.
2022 · Animation, Adventure, Fantasy · 1h 43m · PG · Where to watch: Peacock Premium, Peacock Premium Plus
For viewers who want animated comedy with more style, sharper action, and a stronger emotional spine.
2008 · Action, Animation, Comedy · 1h 30m · PG
Another family animation built on underdog ambition, goofy comedy, and surprisingly polished action choreography.
2005 · Adventure, Animation, Comedy · 1h 26m · PG
A good fit for viewers who enjoy loud ensemble antics, animal-based chaos, and a deliberately silly tone.
2000 · Adventure, Animation, Comedy · 1h 18m · G · Where to watch: Disney Plus
Fast, irreverent, and joke-driven, with a strong sense of cartoon timing and an anti-serious attitude.
2009 · Animation, Comedy, Family · 1h 30m · PG · Where to watch: Peacock Premium, Peacock Premium Plus
Shares the same willingness to go fully absurd while keeping the tone bright, playful, and kid-accessible.
2001 · Animation, Comedy, Family · 1h 32m · G · Where to watch: Disney Plus
A family animation with strong comedic rhythm, memorable side characters, and a warm emotional core.
2021 · Animation, Adventure, Comedy · 1h 54m · PG · Where to watch: Netflix
For audiences who like animated chaos that feels contemporary, visually inventive, and genuinely funny.
Themes
coming-of-age, mentorship, villainy, found family, chaos, ambition, identity, friendship
Topics
animation, family comedy, slapstick, heist-adjacent, villain origin story, 1970s setting, broad humor, fast-paced, kid-friendly, absurdist
Open Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022) on Curator TV