The next Minions movie has secured a premiere date ahead of its theatrical debut. The studio has confirmed that the film will premiere at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival.
Minions & Monsters to open at film festival in June
Illumination’s upcoming animated feature, Minions & Monsters, has been chosen to launch the 2026 edition of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. According to Variety, the film will make its world premiere on June 21, 2026, opening the prestigious event.
The film is directed by Pierre Coffin, who has been closely associated with the franchise since its beginning. It follows Minions: The Rise of Gru and represents the third standalone Minions feature. It also represents the seventh entry in the larger Despicable Me universe, which began in 2010 under the direction of Coffin and Chris Renaud.
According to the official synopsis, it follows the Minions as they chase fame in Hollywood and briefly succeed in becoming movie stars. However, their rise is short-lived as a series of reckless decisions leads to them losing everything they had gained. The situation escalates further when their actions accidentally unleash dangerous monsters into the world, creating widespread chaos. Faced with the consequences, the Minions set out on a mission to contain the destruction and restore order.
The project is produced by Chris Meledandri, founder and CEO of Illumination, alongside Bill Ryan. The screenplay is written by Coffin and Brian Lynch. The film features an ensemble voice cast that includes Jeff Bridges, Jesse Eisenberg, and Allison Janney. It also boasts supporting performances by Christoph Waltz, Zoey Deutch, Bobby Moynihan, and Trey Parker. Coffin also reprises his role as the voice of the Minions.
The film has already generated industry attention following an early appearance at CinemaCon 2026. It also had a trailer debut during the Super Bowl. It is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on July 1.
