The Minions have once again proven their enduring appeal, continuing their impressive streak on Netflix’s Top 10 list following the release of “Despicable Me 4.” Since their debut in the original “Despicable Me” in 2010, these yellow, gibberish-speaking characters have become a cultural phenomenon, contributing significantly to the franchise’s $4.6 billion in ticket sales. With the latest installment, “Despicable Me 4,” the franchise now boasts six movies, including the Minions spinoffs, and shows no signs of slowing down.
In “Despicable Me 4,” the Minions continue to evolve, adding new words to their eclectic vocabulary. This time around, viewers can catch them saying “antipasti,” “bazooka,” and even a phrase reminiscent of the classic “Goonies” line, “Hey you guys!” Despite the evolution of the Minions, the movies themselves remain light-hearted and fun, much like a Saturday morning cartoon. This installment, directed by series veteran Chris Renaud along with co-director Patrick Delage, maintains the franchise’s signature slapstick humor and carefree spirit.
The plot of “Despicable Me 4” is a mix of several sequel storylines. It begins with Gru attending a school reunion for the Lycée Pas Bon School of Villainy Class of ’85, where he encounters an old rival, Maxime le Mal, voiced by Will Ferrell. Gru, now an agent for the Anti-Villain League, manages to capture Maxime, but the villain soon escapes and vows revenge. This forces Gru and his family into witness protection, leading to a series of comedic situations as Gru tries to blend in with suburban life.
One of the new additions to the family is baby Gru Jr., which provides ample opportunities for humor. The Minions, ever the loyal sidekicks, assist in changing dirty diapers with a T-shirt gun, among other antics. However, the narrative quickly shifts to a heist plot, with Gru being blackmailed into stealing a honey badger from his old school. Meanwhile, the Minions are used as guinea pigs for a new serum at the Anti-Villain League headquarters, transforming five of them into Mega Minions with superhero-like powers.
Despite the overstuffed plot, the Minions continue to steal the show. One even gets trapped in a vending machine and spends the rest of the movie there, a testament to their enduring charm and comedic timing. The film, rated PG for action and rude humor, runs for 95 minutes and has received mixed reviews, with some critics noting that it feels like the franchise is on autopilot.
The Minions’ popularity extends beyond the big screen, as evidenced by their continued success on Netflix. Following the release of “Despicable Me 4,” the Minions have maintained a strong presence in Netflix’s Top 10 list. This is part of a broader trend of successful animated features on the platform, including “The Monkey King,” which recently topped the charts with 23.2 million hours watched in its first full week.
“The Monkey King,” an animated adaptation of a popular Chinese fantasy tale, has also contributed to Netflix’s streak of successful original animations. Other titles like “The Magician’s Elephant,” “Nimona,” and “Miraculous: Ladybug & Cat Noir, The Movie” have all made it to the Top 10, showcasing the platform’s ability to attract viewers with family-friendly content. With upcoming releases like “Leo” and “Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget,” Netflix’s hot streak in animation seems likely to continue.
The story of “The Monkey King” revolves around the charismatic Monkey and his magical fighting stick as they battle demons, an eccentric Dragon King, and Monkey’s own ego. The film, executive produced by Chinese actor and filmmaker Stephen Chow, has resonated with audiences, further solidifying Netflix’s reputation for quality animated content.
In addition to “The Monkey King,” other animated films like “The Boss Baby” and “Madagascar” have also found success on Netflix. “The Boss Baby” made its tenth appearance in the Top 10, while “Madagascar” debuted in ninth place. On the TV side, season two of “My Dad the Bounty Hunter” and season eight of “Gabby’s Dollhouse” have also performed well, indicating a strong demand for animated series.
The success of the Minions and other animated features on Netflix highlights the enduring appeal of animation in modern storytelling. Since the release of “Toy Story” in 1995, animation has evolved significantly, offering imaginative and emotionally resonant stories that appeal to audiences of all ages. From Pixar’s “Finding Nemo” and “Inside Out” to DreamWorks’ “How to Train Your Dragon” and Illumination’s “The Secret Life of Pets,” animated films have become a staple of family entertainment.
As the Minions continue their impressive streak on Netflix, it’s clear that their blend of humor, charm, and gibberish will keep audiences entertained for years to come. Whether on the big screen or streaming platforms, the Minions have cemented their place as beloved characters in the world of animation.
Source: The Associated Press, Cartoon Brew
