Minions & Monsters Moves Up to Summer 2026 as First Trailer Debuts

Gru’s mischievous, banana-loving henchmen are back in action.

Universal and Illumination have unveiled the first trailer for the third installment in the Minions franchise, offering audiences their first real glimpse at Minions & Monsters, which debuted during Super Bowl LX. The spot featured a breathless Minion sprinting toward the camera before collapsing in exhaustion — a familiar gag that quickly gave way to a taste of the film’s central conceit.

Originally dated for June 30, 2027, the animated sequel has been significantly moved up and is now set to hit theaters on July 1, 2026. The shift places the film in a high-profile release corridor alongside Shrek 5, which is scheduled to arrive later that year on Dec. 23, 2026.

The newly released footage marks the first time plot details have been revealed for the third Minions outing. Titled Minions & Monsters, the film leans into self-aware comedy, with the yellow troublemakers appearing as performers in a movie production. What begins as a staged fantasy battle quickly spirals out of control when the Minions take their roles a bit too seriously, launching real attacks and biting their fellow “actors” amid the chaos.

The film is written by Brian Lynch, who previously penned Minions and multiple The Secret Life of Pets films. Directing is Pierre Coffin, the Academy Award nominee behind the first three Despicable Me movies as well as the original Minions. Coffin has also voiced the Minions since their debut in 2010, helping shape the characters’ signature gibberish and slapstick sensibility.

Producing are Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri and Bill Ryan, who previously served as an executive producer on The Super Mario Bros. Movie. With the franchise continuing to rank among the most lucrative in animated film history, Minions & Monsters is positioned to once again deliver broad, global appeal — and plenty of mayhem — when it arrives next summer.