The Definitive Streaming Home for Every Despicable Me Movie in 2026
The *Despicable Me* franchise, created by Sergio Pablos, Cinco Paul, and Ken Daurio, has grown into a six-film animated powerhouse, featuring the iconic voices of Steve Carell as Gru and the infectious gibberish of the Minions. The franchise includes four main *Despicable Me* films and two prequel *Minions* films. Here is the current streaming status for each film in the franchise as of December 2025:- Despicable Me (2010): Available to stream on Peacock.
- Despicable Me 2 (2013): Available to stream on Peacock.
- Minions (2015): Available to stream on Netflix.
- Despicable Me 3 (2017): Available to stream on Peacock (and sometimes Fubo TV).
- Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022): Available to stream on Peacock.
- Despicable Me 4 (2024): Available to stream on Peacock and coming to Netflix in March 2025.
The pattern is clear: Peacock is the primary streaming hub for the franchise, hosting the majority of the films. The notable exception is the first *Minions* film and the upcoming Netflix window for the newest sequel.
The Streaming Strategy: Why Peacock and Netflix Share the Minions
Universal Pictures, the parent company of Illumination, has a specific streaming windowing deal for its animated feature films. This strategy explains why the movies jump between platforms, which can be frustrating for viewers trying to watch the series in chronological order.The Peacock First Window
All new Illumination animated films, including *Despicable Me 4* and *Minions: The Rise of Gru*, are guaranteed to stream exclusively on Peacock for the first four months after their theatrical run. This makes Peacock the most reliable destination for fans who want to catch the newest releases quickly. The service also acts as the permanent home for many older Universal titles.
The Netflix Second Window
After the initial Peacock window expires, the films move to Netflix for a second, 10-month exclusive streaming period. This is why you will see *Despicable Me 4* arrive on Netflix in March 2025, following its late 2024 debut on Peacock. Similarly, *Minions* (2015) is currently residing in one of its Netflix windows. This is a massive draw for the platform, which often sees these animated blockbusters top its most-watched lists.
How to Watch Despicable Me 4 and Future Illumination Content
The newest entry in the saga, *Despicable Me 4*, which sees Gru (Steve Carell) face off against the villain Maxime Le Mal (Will Ferrell), is the film with the most complex streaming schedule. Current Availability (December 2025): The film is currently available to stream on Peacock, where it landed on October 31, 2024. For those who do not subscribe to Peacock, the film is also readily available to rent or purchase through Video-On-Demand (VOD) services. VOD Platforms: If you prefer to buy a digital copy to own permanently, you can find *Despicable Me 4* on all major VOD platforms, including:- Amazon Prime Video
- Apple TV
- Google Play Movies
- YouTube
- Fandango At Home
VOD is often the best option for immediate access after the theatrical window, before the film hits a subscription service.
The Future of the Franchise: What’s Next for Gru and the Minions?
The *Despicable Me* franchise is far from over, ensuring that the streaming cycle will continue for years to come. Illumination and Universal Pictures have already announced the next installment in the prequel series:
- Minions 3: A third *Minions* prequel film is officially slated for release on July 1, 2026.
This upcoming release confirms the continued importance of both Peacock and Netflix for family viewing. Fans can expect *Minions 3* to follow the same streaming path: a theatrical run, followed by a Peacock debut, and then a move to Netflix.
The Cast and Key Entities Driving the Topical Authority
To fully appreciate the franchise, it helps to know the key talent and entities that bring the world to life. This information is crucial for any LSI-rich article:
Main Cast and Characters
The heart of the franchise is the cast, led by the incomparable Steve Carell. The family dynamic is central to the storyline, featuring Gru, his wife Lucy Wilde (Kristen Wiig), and their three adopted daughters.
- Steve Carell: Voices the protagonist, Felonius Gru, the former supervillain turned Anti-Villain League agent.
- Miranda Cosgrove: Voices Margo, Gru’s eldest and most responsible adoptive daughter.
- Dana Gaier: Voices Edith, the middle sister.
- Nev Scharrel: Voices Agnes, the youngest daughter (replacing Elsie Fisher).
- Kristen Wiig: Voices Lucy Wilde, Gru's wife and fellow AVL agent.
- Russell Brand: Voices Dr. Nefario, Gru’s eccentric, hard-of-hearing scientist.
- Pierre Coffin: Voices the Minions, including Kevin, Stuart, and Bob.
The Creative and Production Entities
The success of the *Despicable Me* films is a testament to the creative team at Illumination and Universal Pictures.
- Illumination: The animation studio responsible for the entire franchise, co-founded by Chris Meledandri.
- Universal Pictures: The distributor and parent company, which dictates the streaming windowing strategy.
- Chris Renaud: Co-director of the first two films and a key creative voice across the franchise.
- Cinco Paul & Ken Daurio: The screenwriting duo responsible for shaping Gru's journey from villain to family man.
- Pierre Coffin: The Minions' voice actor and co-director of the first three films, whose vocal work is integral to the characters' global appeal.
Whether you're looking to binge the entire series in chronological order (starting with *Minions* and *Minions: The Rise of Gru*) or just catch up on the latest chapter, *Despicable Me 4*, the current streaming landscape is manageable. Simply put, Peacock is your main destination for the bulk of the Gru family adventures, with Netflix offering a valuable, high-traffic window for the *Minions* spin-offs and the newest sequels.
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