A scene from “Minions & Monsters.”
Universal Pictures/Illumination Entertainment
The seventh installment of the billion‑dollar “Despicable Me” franchise, Minions & Monsters, is set to arrive on digital streaming platforms this week following a surprisingly modest theatrical run.
Directed by Pierre Coffin, the film serves as a prequel that explores the origins of the Minions long before they meet Gru. Set in 1920s Hollywood, the story follows the yellow henchmen as they accidentally become the era’s biggest stars, only to confront a new threat when their newly‑created monsters turn against them.
Rated PG, Minions & Monsters features voice performances by Allison Janney, Jeff Bridges, Jesse Eisenberg, Trey Parker, Bobby Moynihan, Phil LaMarr, Zoey Deutsch, Christoph Waltz and a cameo by George Lucas.
According to box‑office reports, the film opened with $62 million in its first five days over the Fourth of July weekend, including $37 million from its opening Friday‑to‑Sunday frame across 4,243 North American theaters. By August 6, cumulative domestic earnings reached $172.9 million, with $289 million earned internationally, for a worldwide total of $461.9 million.
While $461.9 million represents a solid performance for a summer release, it falls short of the franchise’s previous installments. The film’s $85 million production budget—excluding prints and advertising—was modest compared to earlier entries, which had budgets exceeding $250 million.
Financially, the movie remains in a healthy position as it transitions to the home‑entertainment market, where it is expected to generate additional revenue.
Minions & Monsters Heads to Streaming on Tuesday
Universal Studios Home Entertainment announced that Minions & Monsters will be released on digital video‑on‑demand on Tuesday, August 11.
Consumers can purchase the title for $29.99 on platforms including Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Prime Video, and YouTube Movies & TV. Rental pricing will be $24.99 for a 48‑hour viewing window.
The purchased version will also include six bonus featurettes that provide behind‑the‑scenes insights into the film’s production.
A scene from “Minions & Monsters.”
Universal Pictures