Common Sense Media Review
By Betsy Bozdech
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Homage to Hollywood mixes massive monsters, 'toon violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Minions & Monsters
What's the Story?
In MINIONS & MONSTERS, a Universal Studios tour guide (voiced by Allison Janney) tells a group of rapt children the origin story of James and Henry (both voiced by director Pierre Coffin, who handles all minion vocals), two minions whom she credits with changing Hollywood forever. The plot quickly covers their backstory—they're misfits who befriend each other while their minion tribe searches for villainous "big bosses" to serve—and then slows down a bit once the group arrives in 1920s Los Angeles and stumbles into showbiz. Their talent for slapstick makes them the toast of the silent-movie town, but the arrival of "talkies" proves problematic, since they can only speak Minionese. Cast out by the studio, James decides to follow his creative vision and make his own picture: a monster movie! But when he and Henry summon real monster Goomi (Trey Parker) to be their star, things quickly get complicated—and destructive.
Is It Any Good?
As cheerfully chaotic as the many Minions and Despicable Me movies that have come before it, this colorful, fast-paced adventure is as much an homage to Old Hollywood as it is a family comedy. From the old-timey Universal logo that opens the film to visual references to Buster Keaton, Citizen Kane, and more, Minions & Monsters is an affectionate tribute to classic films and the art of moviemaking—with lots of slapstick minion mayhem thrown in for good measure, of course.
Basically, if you like the minions, you'll enjoy revisiting their specific brand of endearingly innocent chaos for another round of silly fun. The story doesn't always move smoothly, and there are a few more characters than might be strictly necessary (looking at you, robot conqueror Dort), but the movie's brisk pace and upbeat energy help make up for that. The titular monsters are amusing additions, and the underlying themes about the importance of following your passion and finding someone who really "gets" you are meaningful. If you don't mind large-scale property destruction, weapon-heavy melees, and a few glimpses of bare minion butt, Minions & Monsters is several bananas' worth of a good time.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Minions: The Rise of Gru. Do you feel that it's age-appropriate for younger audiences? Why, or why not? What about the language?
How have the Minions emerged as heroes of their own stories rather than just as supporting characters in others' tales? How do they demonstrate teamwork and perseverance?
What makes the Minions such popular characters? Why do you think they're so beloved? Does the fact that their language is unintelligible make them more or less appealing?
Most of the central characters in the Despicable Me and Minions movies are villains/those who work for villains, and yet they're still the ones we root for. Is it OK to have a sympathetic villain? How does that impact the characters' status as potential role models?
Which of the Easter eggs/references to classic Hollywood movies did you notice?
Movie Details
- In theaters : July 1, 2026
- Cast : Pierre Coffin , Christoph Waltz , Trey Parker
- Director : Pierre Coffin
- Studio : Universal Pictures
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Fantasy ( Monsters ) , Friendship , Adventures
- Character Strengths : Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time : 90 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violence/action, language and rude/macabre humor
- Last updated : July 1, 2026
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate