The REAL End Of The Minions Movie: 5 Shocking Twists You Missed (Including The Secret China Cut)

The latest chapter in the beloved Illumination franchise, Minions: The Rise of Gru, delivered a chaotic, Kung Fu-filled crescendo that finally cemented the bond between the world's most despicable boss and his loyal yellow henchmen. As of December 10, 2025, fans are still dissecting the film’s conclusion, which wasn't just a fun finale but a critical bridge to the entire Despicable Me timeline.

The movie's ending is far more complex than a simple villain-gets-away plot. It features a stunning act of Minion heroism, a crucial post-credit scene that introduces a fan-favorite character, and, most surprisingly, a completely different, censored version released internationally. Here is the deep dive into everything that happened at the end of the last Minions movie, and what it means for the future of Gru's villainous career.

The Canonical Ending: Gru’s Apprenticeship and the Minions’ Triumph

The climax of Minions: The Rise of Gru centers on the young Gru’s desperate attempt to save his idol and mentor, Wild Knuckles, from the supervillain group The Vicious 6. This final confrontation, set in San Francisco, is a masterclass in Minion mayhem and emotional payoff.

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The Vicious 6, led by the formidable Belle Bottom, have acquired the powerful Stone of the Zodiac, which they use to transform themselves into giant, monstrous versions of their zodiac animals.

The Minions’ Moment of Glory

During the chaos, three key Minions—Kevin, Stuart, and Bob—along with the new Minion Otto, are instrumental in the battle. After seeking guidance from the former Vicious 6 member Master Chow, the trio learn Kung Fu and use their newfound skills to take on the monstrous Vicious 6.

• Kevin faces off against Jean-Clawed.
• Stuart battles Svengeance.
• Bob, in a surprisingly heroic moment, takes on the powerful Nun-Chuck.

Otto, who accidentally traded the Stone of the Zodiac for a pet rock, manages to retrieve the mystical artifact. He uses the stone to reverse the transformation, shrinking the Vicious 6 back to their human forms, allowing the authorities to finally apprehend them.

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The Wild Knuckles Twist

The most heart-warming twist involves Wild Knuckles. After being presumed dead, Gru’s idol reappears, having faked his death to evade capture. He is impressed by Gru’s loyalty and the Minions' efforts.

The final scene of the main movie shows Gru and Wild Knuckles driving off together, with the Minions in tow. This moment is critical, as it signifies the start of Gru’s official training in villainy under a true master, solidifying his path to becoming the supervillain we know from the Despicable Me franchise.

The Shocking Post-Credit Scene: Recruiting Dr. Nefario

For die-hard fans of the Despicable Me universe, the post-credit scene is arguably the most important part of the film's ending. It provides the final piece of the origin story puzzle, directly linking the prequel to the original 2010 movie.

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The scene takes place shortly after the main events. Gru and the Minions arrive at a small, dingy music shop called "Criminal Records." The shop is clearly failing, with a "Bankrupt/Out of Business" sign taped to the window. The owner is none other than a much younger, but still recognizable, Dr. Nefario.

The Birth of the Supervillain Team

Dr. Nefario, known for his genius inventions like the Freeze Ray and the Fart Gun, is seen preparing to close up shop for good. Gru, now with the confidence gained from his adventure with Wild Knuckles, approaches him with an offer.

The scene ends with Gru successfully recruiting Dr. Nefario to be his chief scientist. This moment is the true beginning of Gru’s supervillain lair and his arsenal of gadgets. It perfectly sets the stage for the events of Despicable Me, where Dr. Nefario is Gru's loyal and quirky inventor.

This post-credit sequence is a crucial piece of topical authority for the franchise, confirming the origin of the core team: Gru, the Minions, and Dr. Nefario.

The Controversial Alternate Ending: The China Cut

In a bizarre and unprecedented move, the version of Minions: The Rise of Gru released in mainland China featured a completely different, censored ending that drastically changed the fate of the main characters.

The alternate ending was added via a series of still images and text slides shown before the credits, essentially rewriting the moral of the story to align with state-approved values.

What Happened in the Censored Ending?

Instead of Gru and Wild Knuckles driving off to begin their villainous partnership, the Chinese version states that:

• Wild Knuckles’ Fate: He was caught by the police and served 20 years in jail. Upon his release, he discovered his true passion: opening a family bakery. This completely contradicts his canonical life of crime.
• Gru’s Fate: Gru "returned to his family" and, according to the text, "is devoted to raising his three daughters." Furthermore, the text explicitly states that Gru's villainous journey was short-lived and that he "eventually became a good man."

This alternate ending completely undercuts the entire premise of the Despicable Me franchise—Gru's journey from an evil mastermind to a loving father—by suggesting he was caught and reformed much earlier. It also eliminates the canonical setup for his mentorship with Wild Knuckles.

This censored version became a huge topic of discussion online, with many criticizing the heavy-handed approach to changing a film's narrative to enforce a specific moral lesson. It serves as a stark reminder of how global releases can differ dramatically.

What the Ending Sets Up for *Despicable Me 4* and Beyond

The conclusion of *Minions: The Rise of Gru* is a perfect setup for the entire Despicable Me timeline. The film successfully functions as Gru's origin story, showing the moment he truly became a supervillain and formed his core team.

The three main takeaways that propel the Illumination universe forward are:

1. Gru’s Confidence and Ambition

By the end of the film, Gru is no longer just a wannabe. He has faced the Vicious 6, saved his mentor, and successfully led his Minions. His ambition to be the greatest villain is now fully realized, a necessary precursor to him stealing the moon in the first Despicable Me movie.

2. The Minions’ Loyalty is Absolute

The Minions’ willingness to transform themselves, learn Kung Fu, and risk their lives for "Mini Boss" Gru proves their loyalty is unbreakable. Their successful transformation and subsequent return to their yellow forms (thanks to Otto) confirms their permanent role as Gru's dedicated henchmen. Key Minion entities like Kevin, Stuart, Bob, and Otto are now fully established characters.

3. The Dr. Nefario Partnership

The post-credit scene is the final piece of the puzzle. The recruitment of Dr. Nefario provides Gru with the technological genius required to build his lair, create his gadgets, and execute his increasingly complex schemes. This partnership is essential for the events of *Despicable Me*.

With a new *Despicable Me* movie confirmed, the foundation laid by *Minions: The Rise of Gru* is the perfect launchpad for the next phase of Gru’s career. The ending ensures that the next film can jump straight into a new villainous plot without needing to explain the origin of the world's most despicable family.