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Despicable Me 2

Despicable Me 2

More minions. More despicable.

201398 minPGMidcredits score: 87th percentile of all films
Directors
Chris Renaud, Pierre Coffin
Starring
Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Benjamin Bratt, Miranda Cosgrove

Gru is recruited by the Anti-Villain League to help deal with a powerful new super criminal.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Despicable Me 2?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Despicable Me 2 streaming on Peacock and Tubi (free) and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Despicable Me 2?

Despicable Me 2 earns 8 badges, led by Cultural touchstone and 10× return.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Cast

Reception

Is Despicable Me 2 worth watching?

Despicable Me 2's Midcredits score is the 87th percentile of all films, from 1.4M ratings across 6 sources. 79% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

87th percentile

Better received than 87% of films

80th percentile among Animation87th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)81st
Approval (how many liked it)89th

71 /100

81st percentile of all films

72nd percentile among Animation80th percentile among 2010s

Critics 62 · Audience 71

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 7.5 — solid but not unanimous.

79% liked it

89th percentile of all films

85th percentile among Animation90th percentile among 2010s
79% rated it 7–1021% rated it 1–6

Critics 75% · Audience 85%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 2 Oscar noms · 12 wins / 65 noms overall

  • NominatedAcademy Awards· Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song
  • NominatedAcademy Awards· Best Animated Feature Film of the Year

99th percentile

1.4M ratings across platforms

99th percentile among Animation99th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 53% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$76M
Opening weekend$84M
Domestic gross$368M
Worldwide gross$971M

Returned 12.8× its budget — 98th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

The minions provide the film's biggest laughs, but the story is less inventive and compelling than the first film.

Fans praised

  • Minions are hilarious scene-stealers with inventive gibberish
  • Fast-paced feel-good fun for the whole family
  • Heartwarming father-daughter dynamic with Gru and the girls

Detractors panned

  • Weak, predictable plot that feels like an excuse for minion antics
  • Villain is bland and unmemorable
  • Lacks the clever wit and fresh charm of the original

What stands out

Acting75

Voice cast praised for energy and fit, especially Carell and Wiig

HumorDivisive70

Minions deliver big laughs, but some gags miss for adults

PacingDivisive70

Fast and energetic, though some find the middle drags

CharactersDivisive62

Gru still lovable, but villain and new characters lack depth

Emotional impactDivisive60

Heartfelt family moments, but less affecting than the first

DialogueDivisive55

Less witty than original, relies on sight gags and minion gibberish

Plot and storyDivisive40

Thin, predictable story built around minion and romance subplots

OriginalityDivisive35

Recycles formula and beats from the first film

Preferred by

Under-30s vs over-30s

Preferred by Over-30s

Over-30s scored it 12 points higher than under-30s.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 3 points apart
  • Critics vs users 3 points apart
  • US vs non-US 8 points apart

Watch experience

What is Despicable Me 2 like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Easy laugh: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something light that makes you laugh and does not take itself seriously.

It is gentle and leaves you feeling good. Skip it when you want something with weight.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Very little.

What it feels like

Easy laugh.

Moods
JoyfulAbsurd
Heaviest: throughout
Absurdist humor: Deliberately illogical; embraces nonsense.
Register
PlayfulWarm
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its comedy and sentiment straight, with a sincere heart beneath the slapstick.
The rideThe film maintains a light, playful energy from start to finish, with no significant tonal shifts.
StructureThe story follows a linear investigation from recruitment to confrontation, with a clear beginning, middle, and end.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Feeling good.

Feel-goodFun
Why it leaves you this wayThe film ends with a joyful marriage and family unity, leaving a warm, happy feeling.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).MonsterTyrant
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21% (this title): Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% (this title) · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Tyrant: A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).

21% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeGru is recruited by the Anti-Villain League to track down the supervillain El Macho, who has stolen a dangerous mutagen for world domination. The investigation leads them to go undercover in a shopping mall.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfIdentitySelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% (this title) · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22% (this title): Identity 14% (this title) · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Self

Identity · 14% of filmsFamily bonds
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Single lead
How it treats its themeGru explores a new identity as a family man and potential hero, while the father-daughter bond with his girls remains central.
StanceThe film celebrates Gru's embrace of family and fatherhood, treating his new identity as something to affirm.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanSuburbanDomesticInstitutionalStylized realism
Orchestral modernPopSupportive music · original score · Heitor Pereira
Settinga colorful animated world where a retired supervillain juggles suburban life and spy missions
MusicThe score blends bouncy orchestral cues with pop-friendly themes, matching the film's energetic and sentimental beats.

Content guide

Is Despicable Me 2 okay for kids?

PG

Despicable Me 2 is rated PG: “Rated PG for rude humor and mild action” (MPAA). As of October 26, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (40/100), sexual content at mild (27/100), language at mild (18/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (33/100) and frightening material at moderate (36/100). Overall it is heavier than 48% of PG-rated films.

Ratings in 31 other countries
  • UKU
  • CanadaG
  • AustraliaPG
  • Germany0
  • FranceTP
  • IrelandG
  • New ZealandPG
  • JapanPG12
  • South KoreaALL
  • BrazilL
  • ArgentinaAtp
  • Belgium12
  • BGB
  • CzechiaU
  • Denmark7
  • GreeceΚ
  • Hong KongI
  • Hungary12
  • ItalyT
  • MexicoAA
  • Netherlands6
  • NorwayA
  • Poland12
  • PortugalM/6
  • ROAP
  • Russia0+
  • SpainAPTA
  • Sweden7
  • Switzerland12
  • THP
  • TürkiyeGenel İzleyici Kitlesi
Overall
Mild · all five categories
Heavier than 14% of all filmsHeavier than 48% of PG-rated films
Violence & Gore
Moderate
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 61%
Sex & Nudity
Mild · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 62%
Profanity
Mild
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 30%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 69%
Frightening / Intense
Moderate
typical for a PG-rated film
heavier than 45%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Nothing here is extreme. The strongest element is violence, heavier than 61% of PG-rated films.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Despicable Me 2 have?

MovieCove's classifier found 3 depicted content warnings in Despicable Me 2: Animal cruelty (mild), Suicide (mild), plus 1 withheld here because it would spoil the plot. Each is backed by a verbatim quote from the parents' guide notes; a missing warning is not a guarantee of absence.

MildAnimal crueltySuicide

Cast and crew

Who is in Despicable Me 2?

Cast

2 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Steve Carell
as Gru
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Kristen Wiig
as Lucy
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Benjamin Bratt
as Eduardo Pérez
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Miranda Cosgrove
as Margo
Dana Gaier Ellis
as Edith
Breakout: Their highest-reaching film role at the time, and they went on to a career at least 3 times their standing then.
Elsie Fisher
as Agnes
Russell Brand
as Dr. Nefario
Ken Jeong
as Floyd Eagle-san
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.
Steve Coogan
as Silas Ramsbottom
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Moises Arias
as Antonio Pérez
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.

Crew

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What are movies like Despicable Me 2?

Movies like Despicable Me 2 include Despicable Me (2010), Despicable Me 3 (2017) and The Secret Life of Pets (2016). Of the 12 closest matches, several are films written by Cinco Paul, and most are family adventures.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Despicable Me 2?

552 other films share the rarest tag below, up against: supervillain. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.