Phil Roberts 
From silent films to monster mayhem, Minions & Monsters is packed with pure Minion chaos. Read our full review to find out why we think it’s the best entry in the franchise so far.
We all love a Minions movie. There’s something undeniably endearing about those little yellow troublemakers that has captivated audiences around the world. Ever since their scene-stealing debut in Despicable Me, few could have predicted just how dominant they would become in popular culture. Yet over the years, the Minions have evolved from Gru’s bumbling sidekicks into stars in their own right, spawning a hugely successful franchise that has amassed more than $2 billion at the global box office.
Now, sixteen years after first winning audiences over in Despicable Me, those mischievous Minions return to the big screen in Minions & Monsters. The long-awaited threequel, directed by Pierre Coffin, follows newcomers James and Henry as they embark on an ambitious quest to make their own movie. But does this latest adventure have what it takes to launch the Minions back to the top of the box office? Or is Minions & Monsters the adventure that finally derails the mighty Minion machine?
REVIEW
Fear not, Minions fans, because Pierre Coffin’s Minions & Monsters is a joyous love letter to both the franchise and the magic of Hollywood itself. Bursting with laugh-out-loud comedy, clever Easter eggs, dazzling animation, and the trademark chaos that audiences have come to expect, the film is a celebration of everything that makes the Minions so enduringly popular. Once again, these yellow troublemakers are in top form, delighting fans while paying tribute to some of Tinseltown’s greatest icons.
The result is one of the year’s best comedies. Combining affectionate Hollywood satire with breathtaking visuals, a rousing soundtrack, and an endless stream of Minion-fuelled antics, Minions & Monsters is animated entertainment at its finest. Coffin deserves immense credit for delivering another crowd-pleasing adventure. Even as the story takes the characters into unfamiliar territory, it never loses sight of the charm and heart that have defined the franchise from the beginning. If anything, this installment stands among the very best in the series. Sixteen years on from their debut, the Minions remain as irresistible as ever, and the formula shows no signs of running out of steam. Universal may have plenty more sequels in store—and after this, I’ll be first in line to watch them.
JAMES AND HENRY
In keeping with the franchise’s traditions, the story follows a new group of Minions as they search for their next “Evil Boss.” Throughout history, these lovable troublemakers have served some of the world’s most notorious villains, assisting them in countless nefarious schemes. Yet, thanks largely to the well-meaning incompetence of James and Henry, each of these villains inevitably meets a fittingly comedic downfall. As a result, the pair find themselves on the fringes of Minion society, but their shared status only strengthens their friendship.
Through their connection, we learn that James is a budding artist who dreams of sharing his gift with the world. After a chance encounter with Hollywood director Max, voiced by Christoph Waltz, the entire Minion tribe is thrust into the spotlight, transforming them from devoted henchmen into unlikely Hollywood stars. Cast in a string of silent movies, we follow the tribe from movie set to movie set, watching their hilarious antics unfold as their Hollywood stock continues to rise.
THE BRIGHT BROTHERS
However, their meteoric rise is threatened when the Bright Brothers, powerful studio executives voiced by the ever-reliable Jeff Bridges, decide to usher Hollywood into a new era by embracing sound. Suddenly, the industry’s biggest stars are expected to deliver dialogue, presenting an obvious problem for a cast whose vocabulary consists of cheerful gibberish and banana-related enthusiasm. The resulting chaos generates some of the film’s funniest moments, and soon, despite the hilarity that ensues, the Minions are quickly banished from the limelight they once reveled in.
From here, the film settles into a confident rhythm as James, Henry, and their deaf companion, Ed, embark on a mission to make their own movie. Meanwhile, the rest of the tribe resumes its search for a new “Evil Boss,” setting up a parallel adventure that keeps the story moving at a brisk and hilarious pace.
James, however, has a secret weapon. Hidden within his dungarees is a mythical spellbook of monsters, stolen from a wicked warlock the Minions once served. Armed with this powerful artifact and an imagination fuelled by his love of cinema, James sets out to create the ultimate monster movie. There is just one catch: his production will feature a real monster.
HOLLYWOOD TRIBUTES
With the plot now set in motion, and after delivering some of the year’s biggest laughs, Minions & Monsters builds towards a grand finale that more than lives up to expectations. As the tribe becomes servants of a cosplaying alien robot named Dort, voiced by Jesse Eisenberg, James, Henry, and Ed conjure their monster and set in motion an epic finale that pays homage to the classic monster movies of Hollywood’s golden age.
It is here that Pierre Coffin truly lets loose, throwing everything at the screen in a joyous explosion of comedy, spectacle, and chaos. Brimming with affectionate nods to some of science fiction’s most beloved films, the finale is a delight from start to finish. Even the Minions receive memorable makeovers, with many donning elaborate battle attire as they charge into the action. Among them, the Clown Minion emerges as an undeniable scene-stealer. His outrageous antics consistently draw some of the film’s biggest laughs and are sure to make him an instant favorite with audiences.
SETTLING THE SCORE
Accompanying this treasure trove of visual hilarity is a rousing score from John Powell. The acclaimed composer once again demonstrates why he remains one of the most dependable talents in the industry, crafting a soundtrack that brings energy, emotion, and a genuine sense of scale to the adventure. His music lends the film an added layer of prestige, elevating both the comedy and spectacle without ever overshadowing the action on screen. As a long-time admirer of Powell’s work, I found his contribution here particularly impressive, helping to propel this outing to even greater heights.
That is not to diminish the achievements of Heitor Pereira, whose music has helped define the franchise’s sound over the years. However, Powell brings a distinctly cinematic sensibility to the material, infusing the film with a level of grandeur that perfectly complements its Hollywood-inspired setting and larger-than-life ambitions.
LET’S GET ANIMATED
And finally, no review of Minions & Monsters would be complete without highlighting the extraordinary animation from the team at Illumination. Time and again, the studio continues to raise the bar for visual storytelling, and this latest effort is no exception. While the characters retain their signature cartoon charm, the environments surrounding them are rendered with remarkable detail and realism. From sprawling landscapes to bustling city streets and elaborate film sets, every frame feels meticulously crafted and bursting with life.
The threequel takes that visual standard and pushes it even further. The result is a seamless display of animated craftsmanship that consistently dazzles the eye. Every location is realized with such care and attention to detail that the world feels tangible despite its fantastical premise. It is a testament to the talent of Illumination’s artists that audiences can become so fully immersed in a universe populated by gibberish-speaking yellow creatures.
With work of this caliber, Illumination continues to cement its place among the industry’s leading animation studios. The sheer quality of the world-building on display is astonishing, and the fact that these environments feel so vivid and believable is perhaps the highest compliment one can pay to the studio’s artistry. This makes Minions & Monsters an absolute blast, and for me, the best animated movie of the year so far.
VERDICT
Overall, Minions & Monsters is the epitome of animated brilliance. After two stellar outings, one could be forgiven for thinking the franchise was about to run out of steam. But thanks to the love and energy of Pierre Coffin, the franchise continues to defy expectations. The result is a film that not only meets expectations but surpasses them, firmly establishing itself as the best Minions adventure to date.
Featuring a hilarious cameo from George Lucas, countless nods to some of Hollywood’s most beloved classics, and a collection of wonderfully entertaining voice performances, the film has all the ingredients of an instant classic. Combined with Illumination’s breathtaking animation, John Powell’s exhilarating score, and the trademark humor that has defined the franchise from the very beginning, Minions & Monsters delivers a truly brilliant adventure that will dominate the box office for weeks to come.
So, book your tickets and go bananas with the Minions. Pa-boy!
Minions & Monsters brings the mayhem to UK cinemas on July 1.
Meet Phil Roberts! He’s the dedicated owner, daily content manager, and editor-in-chief of The Future of the Force. Phil is a budding novelist who turned his passion toward writing about the franchises he loves back in 2016. He’s a huge fan of all things Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Phil is a BFI-accredited journalist and a distinguished member of the Film Critics Association UK.
If he’s not catching a movie at the cinema, you can bet he’s streaming something just as awesome!
