---
title: "Despicable Me 4"
year: 2024
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/despicable-me-4"
fi1m_id: "despicable-me-4"
imdb_id: "tt7510222"
tmdb_id: 519182
wikidata_id: "Q113373276"
fi1m_score: 55
critics_score: 61
critics_reviews: 13
published: "2026-09-09"
updated: "2026-09-18T08:37:58.917045+00:00"
region: "US"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Despicable Me 4 (2024)

Directed by Chris Renaud · 1h 34m · MPA PG · Animation, Comedy, Action, Science Fiction, Family

## Identity

Despicable Me 4

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/despicable-me-4
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** despicable-me-4
- **IMDb ID:** tt7510222
- **TMDB ID:** 519182
- **Wikidata ID:** Q113373276
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7510222/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/519182, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q113373276

**Fi1m score: 55** · Critics 61 from 13 reviews

*In a sentence:* Five Minions in capes, a baby who bites, and a plot that wanders off every ten minutes

> The fourth Gru film is 94 minutes of sketches with a plot stapled on: bright, noisy, sometimes funny, and never in the same story for more than ten minutes. The children will not mind. The adults will check their watches.

## Synopsis

Gru (Steve Carell), reformed supervillain and agent of the Anti-Villain League, has a new baby son and an old enemy. At a school reunion he helps arrest Maxime Le Mal (Will Ferrell), a former classmate who has crossed himself with a cockroach; Maxime escapes and swears revenge. Silas (Steve Coogan) moves Gru, Lucy (Kristen Wiig), Margo, Edith, Agnes and the baby into a safe house in a wealthy suburb under new names. Gru pretends to sell solar panels, Lucy cuts hair, the girls start new schools, and the neighbours’ daughter works out who they are. Meanwhile five Minions are given superpowers and set loose on a city that did not ask for them.

## Review

Fourteen years after *Despicable Me* (2010), Gru is a father of four, an employee of the agency that used to chase him, and the lead in a franchise that has run out of things for him to want. Chris Renaud, who directed the first two films with Pierre Coffin, is back; Mike White and Ken Daurio write. What they have made is a run of short comic sketches joined by the thinnest plot that would hold. It is fine. It is also the weakest of the four Gru films, and weak in a way that suggests nobody minded.

The setup is dealt with fast. Gru attends a reunion at his old villain school, where the principal, Übelschlecht, is voiced by Renaud himself, and helps arrest a classmate, Maxime Le Mal. Will Ferrell plays Maxime as a man who has fused himself with a cockroach and is proud of it, and he shouts every line in a French accent a little thicker than Carell’s, which is the joke and it works about half the time. Sofía Vergara, as his girlfriend Valentina, has almost nothing to do. Maxime escapes, and Silas (Steve Coogan) moves the whole family into witness protection in a suburb of large lawns and larger cars.

The best stretch belongs to the Minions, which tells you where the film’s attention is. Five of them are given superpowers and sent to protect a city, and they set about it with the same care they bring to everything, which is none. Pierre Coffin still does all their voices, and the sequence has the timing of a good silent comedy: a rescue that becomes a demolition, a landing that misses the building. We laughed out loud, properly, at one of them discovering what a stretchy arm can do to a lamp post. We laughed again at Carell and Ferrell bellowing a pop song at each other, the only scene in which the two leads seem to be enjoying the same film.

The trouble is everything else, and there is a great deal of it. Margo (Miranda Cosgrove) starts a new school. Lucy (Kristen Wiig) cuts hair, badly. The Prescotts next door (Stephen Colbert and Chloe Fineman) are the sort of people who own a tennis court, and their daughter blackmails Gru into a heist. The baby dislikes Gru and bites him, which is the film’s one thread with any feeling in it, and it gets perhaps six minutes. Tiffany Hillkurtz cuts so that no scene outlasts its gag, which keeps the thing moving and also means that nothing has time to matter. Heitor Pereira’s score is brass and bounce and stays out of the way; the Pharrell Williams songs return and do the work of telling us when to feel good.

Around the hour mark we noticed we had stopped following the plot and were waiting for the Minions to come back. That is not what a Gru film should want from us, and it made us a little sad for Gru, who was once the point. Carell still gives him the gravelly courtesy and the sudden flinches, but the script has him reacting to things for 94 minutes and choosing almost nothing. A villain who adopted three girls to pull off a heist and found he could not give them back was a character. A dad in a polo shirt hiding from a cockroach is a situation.

*Despicable Me* had one idea and let it turn into a story. *Despicable Me 2* (2013) had one idea and a wedding. This has six ideas, each the length of a cartoon short, and White and Daurio never pick one to finish. Most critics have been kinder than we are, and we understand why: the gag rate is high, the colours are loud, and a child will not notice that the film has no middle. We noticed.

It carries a U and runs 94 minutes, which is about right for the amount of story and about twenty minutes too long for the amount of plot. Put it on at home on a wet afternoon. The children will watch the Minions, and you can watch the children.

*Fi1m score 55, published 9 September 2026.*

## What the critics say

The reviews split fairly widely on Despicable Me 4, and the consensus settles on something like cautious enjoyment. The praise clusters around the Minions’ slapstick, the gag rate and the musical interludes, with several critics singling out the Carell and Ferrell pop cover and the Mega Minions sequences as the parts that land. Most agree the film is an undemanding, reliably silly hour and a half for families.

The reservations cluster just as clearly: an overstuffed plot with too many subplots and new characters, thin character development, and a structure that plays as a string of shorts rather than a feature. IndieWire takes that furthest, suggesting the franchise now looks better suited to television than to cinemas. The AV Club dissents most sharply, finding it dull and short on laughs, while Polygon argues the Minions are overused and work better in small doses. Even the warmer notices concede the story is slight; the disagreement is over whether the jokes make up for it.

## Straight answers

**Is Despicable Me 4 worth watching?**

*Despicable Me 4* is worth watching only if you have children who want the Minions, and we scored it 55. It is a run of comic sketches with a plot stapled on, bright and noisy and never in the same story for more than ten minutes. The children will not mind; the adults will check their watches.

**How long is Despicable Me 4, and what is it rated?**

*Despicable Me 4* runs 1h 34m and is rated PG by the MPA in the US. It is an animation and comedy film.

**Where can I watch Despicable Me 4 in the US?**

*Despicable Me 4* is streaming on Amazon Prime Video in the US, and it is also available to rent from Amazon Prime Video from $3.99. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**What should I watch after Despicable Me 4?**

After *Despicable Me 4*, try [*Despicable Me*](https://film.one/film/despicable-me) (2010, Fi1m 74): The one that had a story: a villain, three orphans, and a plan that fails properly. Then [*The Incredibles*](https://film.one/film/the-incredibles) (2004, Fi1m 88): A family of supers with real quarrels; the action means something because the people do; and [*Paddington 2*](https://film.one/film/paddington-2) (2017, Fi1m 91): Gentle, funny and built like a clock; every gag pays off by the end.

### Reviews we read (18)

- **Radio Times**, Terry Staunton (4/5): The animated franchise shows little sign of running out of steam, delivering a confident juggling act of disparate elements that weaves into a satisfyingly thrilling showdown. The critic singles out the higher-than-ever gag rate, especially the Carell-Ferrell pop song cover, for praise. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/despicable-me-4-review/)
- **The Telegraph** (80/100, inferred): The review calls it a dizzying blitz of mad Minion skits and family fun that perfects the series' winning recipe of high-energy sketches. It praises the manic Looney Tunes-style vignettes, disco music, and belching while noting the thin plot about Gru adjusting to fatherhood. [Read](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/despicable-me-4-review-minions/)
- **RogerEbert.com**, Matt Zoller Seitz (75/100, inferred): The critic finds the film hit-and-miss but likably irreverent overall, praising the broad humor and Gru as a silly daddy who excels at making a fool of himself. They single out the random, unsophisticated jokes and Minions' slapstick antics for particular enjoyment. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/despicable-me-4-minions-movie-review-2024)
- **Screen Daily** (70/100, inferred): The film delivers a brisk, fan-friendly romp stuffed to the gills with jokes and inventive absurd sight gags, though it is a little thin on actual plot. The critic notes a rushed third act but praises the crowd-pleasing musical moments and villain reunion that send it out with a bang. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/despicable-me-4-annecy-review/5194534.article)
- **The Guardian** (70/100, inferred): The critic finds the film unassumingly enjoyable and consistent in its family entertainment, with stamina from its established style despite not being a masterpiece. They single out the franchise's ability to deliver reliable fun and the return of Pharrell Williams songs for praise. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/article/2024/jul/01/despicable-me-4-review-gru-steve-carell-will-ferrell-minion-magic-alive)
- **Total Film**, Oliver Pfeiffer (70/100, inferred): The review praises the film for its nostalgic value and Minion-induced hilarity. It highlights the continued appeal of the franchise's colourful characters and gags for younger audiences. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/animation-movies/despicable-me-4-review/)
- **Variety**, Peter Debruge (60/100, inferred): The critic views the sequel as overstuffed and lacking emotional core, feeling like shorts piled together rather than a cohesive feature, though it delivers plenty of laughs from the Minions and voice performances. They single out the addition of Mega Minions and the pure entertainment value amid questions of necessity. [Read](https://variety.com/2024/film/reviews/despicable-me-4-review-mega-minions-1236037073/)
- **The AV Club**, Leigh Monson (D+): The critic finds the film a boring example of mediocrity that distracts without delivering laughs or substance, criticizing its lack of comedic timing and character development. The suburban family antics and Mega-Minions sequences fail to rise above bland, forgettable fare. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/despicable-me-4-review-good-enough-is-the-enemy-of-goo-1851571784)
- **Empire**, Barry Levitt (40/100, inferred): The critic finds Despicable Me 4 the most disconnected entry in the franchise, with an overstuffed plot that fails to cohere and new characters lacking impact. They single out the Mega Minions superhero gags for delivering some laughs amid the weaknesses. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/despicable-me-4/)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Gary Goldstein (40/100, inferred): The critic describes the film as an exhausting, overplotted ride jammed with gags, subplots and characters that strain to fill its runtime, calling it largely empty despite some chuckles and color. They single out the convoluted story and lack of a smarter, more meaningful message as major complaints. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2024-07-03/despicable-me-4-review-steve-carell-will-ferrell-kristen-wiig)
- **IndieWire**, Kate Erbland: The critic views the film as an oddly episodic outing better suited to quicker TV-style consumption than a theatrical feature. It feels like an accidental pitch for turning the struggling franchise into a series rather than sustaining another full movie. [Read](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/despicable-me-4-review-1235022317/)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, Lovia Gyarkye: The critic calls it a reliable but familiar follow-up that delivers enough fun and antics for fans. The Minions' zany subplot stands out as one of the film's strongest elements, while the voice cast keeps things engaging despite a plot that sometimes feels stretched thin. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/despicable-me-4-review-1235933955/)
- **The Times** (★★★☆☆): The film is all over the place with too many ridiculous subplots but is saved by its trademark mischief, exuberance, and Minion slapstick. The critic notes the energy and wit in direction and a running gag about Gru bonding with his baby son. [Read](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/despicable-me-4-film-review-qpftt532d)
- **Collider**, Tania Hussain (7/10): The critic finds it a fun and entertaining addition to the franchise with laughs and heartwarming moments, but notes it struggles with balancing new and old elements, resulting in a thin plot and underdeveloped characters. [Read](https://collider.com/despicable-me-4-review/)
- **/Film**, Rafael Motamayor (5/10): An overstuffed effort crams too many subplots and characters, abandoning narrative threads for quick gags in a tired franchise installment. A few chuckles emerge from the Minions but the film feels creatively spent. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/1603124/despicable-me-4-review/)
- **Polygon**, Petrana Radulovic (40/100, inferred): The critic argues that the film overuses the Minions, making them the main course rather than spice, leading to less engaging scenes, though some background gags are funny; it praises the potential when Minions are used sparingly. [Read](https://www.polygon.com/24197471/despicable-me-4-minions-too-many/)
- **Eye for Film**, Andrew Robertson: The film delivers more of the same in an episodic format that prioritizes franchise assets and merchandise over coherent storytelling or improved humor. It is competent enough for its target audience but lacks depth or originality. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/despicable-me-4-2024-film-review-by-andrew-robertson)
- **The Playlist**, Rodrigo Perez: The overstuffed sequel piles on mega-minions, new villains and subplots in a chaotic family affair that feels messy and wearying despite its short runtime. It repeats parenthood themes with juvenile humor and lacks emotional center. [Read](https://theplaylist.net/despicable-me-4-review-mega-minions-more-villains-add-extra-chaos-to-an-overstuffed-family-affair-20240626/)

## Details

- **Director:** Chris Renaud
- **Director:** Chris Renaud
- **Writer:** Mike White, Ken Daurio
- **Editor:** Tiffany Hillkurtz
- **Music:** Heitor Pereira
- **Producer:** Chris Meledandri, Brett Hoffman
- **Cast:** Steve Carell as Gru (voice); Kristen Wiig as Lucy (voice); Will Ferrell as Maxime (voice); Sofía Vergara as Valentina (voice); Miranda Cosgrove as Margo (voice); Dana Gaier as Edith (voice); Madison Skyy Polan as Agnes (voice); Pierre Coffin as Minions (voice)
- **Runtime:** 1h 34m
- **Certificate (MPA):** PG
- **Release (the US):** 3 July 2024
- **Genres:** Animation, Comedy, Action, Science Fiction, Family
- **Budget:** $100 million
- **Box office:** $972 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtNYaH61dXY

## Where to watch in the US

- Amazon Prime Video: streaming, uhd
- Amazon Prime Video: rent $3.99, uhd
- Amazon Prime Video: buy $14.99, uhd

*Checked 2026-09-10.*

Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, ID, IE, IL, IN, IT, JP, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, TH, TR, US, VN, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## Awards

- Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Animated Movie 2025: Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Animated Movie (nominated)

## If you liked this

- *Despicable Me* (2010), Fi1m 74: The one that had a story: a villain, three orphans, and a plan that fails properly. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/despicable-me.md)
- *The Incredibles* (2004), Fi1m 88: A family of supers with real quarrels; the action means something because the people do. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-incredibles.md)
- *Paddington 2* (2017), Fi1m 91: Gentle, funny and built like a clock; every gag pays off by the end. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/paddington-2.md)
- *Ernest & Celestine* (2012), Fi1m 84: A French bear and mouse in watercolour; quiet where Gru is loud, and lovelier. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/ernest-and-celestine.md)
- *The Wrong Trousers* (1993): Thirty minutes of Aardman slapstick with a train chase the Minions would envy.

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/despicable-me-4