Despicable Me starts with a supervillain and a plan to steal the Moon, then lets three orphaned girls turn that plan upside down. The combination is an inspired one: grand comic schemes, eccentric gadgets and a secret lair sit alongside a warm story about a lonely man learning how to be a dad. Gru’s transformation gives the franchise its heart, while the Minions provide a steady supply of slapstick chaos.

That balance is what makes the series work for so many viewers. There’s silly humour for younger audiences, sharp jokes and pop-culture nods for adults, and an emotional story about family that holds everything together. The best films for Despicable Me fans don’t need to feature tiny yellow henchmen. They share some of the same ingredients: a wonderfully overconfident character, a mismatched group forced to team up, or a surprising turn from mischief towards kindness.

This countdown moves from a schoolboy’s outrageous superhero fantasy to a feature-length adventure starring Gru’s most chaotic helpers. Along the way, you’ll find a musical comedy, a story about a baby who may be more than he seems, a reformed supervillain and pets with very busy lives. Each movie offers a different reason to keep the laughs—and the family-friendly adventure—going.

If you enjoy our film and television guides, support That Love Podcast (https://www.thatlovepodcast.com/donate). Your contribution helps us continue creating new stories and recommendations. You can also browse our podcast episodes (https://www.thatlovepodcast.com/episodes) for more conversations about entertainment and culture.

10. Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie (2017)

George and Harold are best friends with enormous imaginations and a talent for getting into trouble. Their latest prank goes too far when they hypnotise their strict principal, Mr. Krupp, who begins to believe he is Captain Underpants, a cheerful, half-dressed superhero. The boys soon discover that their creation may be the only person available to stop a real threat to their school.

Like Despicable Me, this is a comedy that takes childhood mischief seriously enough to make it feel like an adventure. George and Harold are inventive, loyal and constantly testing the limits of what they can get away with. Their friendship gives the jokes a centre, while their comic-book imagination spills into the animation in playful ways. The film isn’t trying to be subtle; it knows its audience enjoys silly names, gross-out gags and a hero whose costume is mostly a pair of white briefs.

Ed Helms voices Mr. Krupp and Captain Underpants, with Kevin Hart and Thomas Middleditch as George and Harold. The contrast between Krupp’s grumpiness and Captain Underpants’ irrepressible cheerfulness fuels much of the comedy. The boys’ escapades also give the film a sweet message about friendship and creativity: they make trouble, but they make it together.

If you love the Minions’ gleeful nonsense or the wild gadgets and schemes in Despicable Me, this movie serves up a similar anything-can-happen energy. It’s especially suited to families who enjoy joke-heavy animation and don’t mind a bit of toilet humour. In the UK, Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie is listed for digital rental and purchase through services including Apple TV, Amazon Video and Sky Store. Check current UK listings (https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/captain-underpants-the-first-epic-movie).

9. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2009)

Flint Lockwood is an inventor whose experiments usually create more problems than they solve. When he builds a machine that turns water into food, his struggling island town suddenly gets cheeseburgers, ice cream and spaghetti falling from the sky. At first, it feels like a miracle. Then the portions grow enormous, the weather becomes unpredictable and Flint has to figure out how to stop his invention from overwhelming the town.

Flint shares Gru’s flair for elaborate plans and unconventional inventions, though his motivation is different. He wants to be taken seriously and to make people’s lives better. His enthusiasm often outruns his judgement, which gives the story its comic momentum. The movie understands the appeal of seeing an idea become something spectacular—and the panic that follows when it gets out of hand.

The supporting cast helps make the town feel like a playful comic-book world. Anna Faris voices Sam Sparks, a weather reporter whose relationship with Flint brings warmth to the story. Bill Hader plays Flint with an appealing mix of awkwardness and confidence, while Mr. T’s police chief is a particularly memorable comic presence. The visuals are packed with food-based gags, from flying pancakes to giant meatballs, but the story never loses track of Flint’s desire to connect with other people.

For Despicable Me fans, the appeal is the same combination of big, silly ideas and a hero who needs to grow into his responsibilities. It’s a fast, colourful adventure that also has something to say about pride, friendship and listening when people are trying to help. In the UK, it is listed on Sky Go and NOW Cinema, and is also available free with ads on Channel 4. Check current viewing options (https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/cloudy-with-a-chance-of-meatballs).

For more family movie ideas, browse That Love Podcast’s guide to the best family movies of all time (https://www.thatlovepodcast.com/post/best-family-movies-of-all-time-ranked) or our DreamWorks movie ranking (https://www.thatlovepodcast.com/post/first-10-dreamworks-movies-ranked). If you’d like to connect your business with our audience, learn about advertising with us (https://www.thatlovepodcast.com/advertise-with-us).

8. The Lego Movie (2014)

Emmet is an ordinary construction worker who follows instructions, sticks to his routine and assumes that nothing remarkable will happen to him. Then he is mistaken for “the Special,” a prophesied hero who can stop Lord Business from gluing the LEGO universe into perfect, unchanging order. Emmet is swept into a rebellion alongside Master Builders who can turn their surroundings into anything they imagine.

The film is a natural choice for Despicable Me fans who love over-the-top villains and fast-moving comedy. Lord Business has the same kind of theatrical certainty as Gru at the start of his story, though his scheme is much more literal: he wants everything frozen exactly as he likes it. Emmet, meanwhile, is a lovable underdog who has to discover that being ordinary doesn’t mean being useless.

Chris Pratt voices Emmet, with Elizabeth Banks as Wyldstyle, Will Ferrell as Lord Business and Will Arnett as Batman. The voice cast keeps the film’s jokes moving, but the animation is its true showstopper. The LEGO world feels as though it has been built piece by piece, and the action finds inventive ways to use bricks, minifigures and everyday objects. The film’s humour works for children, but its ideas about creativity, conformity and play give adults plenty to enjoy too.

There’s also an emotional surprise beneath the jokes. The Lego Movie celebrates the freedom to create and the importance of letting other people play in their own way. If you enjoy the blend of comedy, heart and large-scale chaos in Despicable Me, this one is an especially satisfying pick. In the UK, it is currently listed on NOW Cinema, with rental and purchase options on major digital stores. See current UK availability (https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/the-lego-movie).

7. Hotel Transylvania (2012)

Dracula runs Hotel Transylvania, a luxurious resort where monsters can relax without worrying about humans. The hotel is also home to his daughter, Mavis, whose birthday brings a crowd of famous monsters to the resort. The carefully planned celebration takes a turn when a human traveller, Johnny, wanders in. Dracula tries to keep his presence secret, but Mavis and Johnny quickly connect.

Adam Sandler voices Dracula, and the film turns the famous vampire into an overprotective dad who is both powerful and hilariously out of his depth. That family dynamic makes Hotel Transylvania a strong match for Despicable Me. Gru and Dracula are very different characters, but both have to learn that loving a child means making room for their independence. Dracula wants to keep Mavis safe; the challenge is understanding that safety can’t mean hiding her from everything.

The film’s monster-filled hotel creates room for a broad cast of comic characters, from Frankenstein and the Mummy to the invisible man. Director Genndy Tartakovsky brings a fast, expressive style to the animation. Characters move with elastic energy, which makes the physical comedy feel almost cartoonishly explosive. Selena Gomez gives Mavis a bright, curious presence, while Andy Samberg’s Johnny brings a relaxed, modern contrast to Dracula’s old-fashioned rules.

The story is silly and sweet, with a warm message about family, acceptance and letting people surprise you. If you enjoy the domestic comedy around Gru and his daughters as much as the villainous schemes, this is an easy film to add to the list. In the UK, Hotel Transylvania is listed on Amazon Prime Video, Sky Go and NOW Cinema, with digital rental and purchase options also available. Check current UK listings (https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/hotel-transylvania).

6. Sing (2016)

Buster Moon is a koala who runs a theatre that has seen better days. Hoping to save it, he organises a singing competition and attracts a colourful group of hopeful performers: a housewife pig juggling family responsibilities, a shy elephant with a powerful voice, a gorilla with a complicated family and a punk-rock porcupine. Each singer has a reason to take the stage, and Buster has to keep the show alive as the plans start to unravel.

The Minions are famous for turning a simple situation into a spectacle, and Sing has a similar pleasure in watching a collection of oddballs collide. Its humour comes from the characters’ different personalities, but it also gives each of them a real emotional journey. The singers aren’t just competing for a prize. They’re trying to be heard, take a risk or find a little space for themselves.

Matthew McConaughey voices Buster, with Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson, Taron Egerton and Tori Kelly among the performers. The musical numbers make the film lively, but the character stories give the songs their meaning. A stage performance can become a moment of confidence, a family confrontation or a chance to admit what someone really wants.

If you’re a Despicable Me fan looking for a lighter, music-filled option, Sing trades supervillain plots for a big-hearted ensemble comedy. It’s particularly good for a family movie night because it gives different characters a chance to shine, and the soundtrack keeps things moving. In the UK, the movie is currently listed on Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Sky Go and NOW Cinema. Check current UK viewing choices (https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/sing-2016).

If you’re enjoying this countdown, listen to more episodes from That Love Podcast (https://www.thatlovepodcast.com/episodes). Our podcast explores entertainment, relationships and culture through conversations with creators and guests.

5. The Boss Baby (2017)

Seven-year-old Tim Templeton is used to being the centre of his parents’ attention. That changes when a new baby arrives wearing a suit and carrying a briefcase. Tim quickly realises that this is no ordinary infant: the Boss Baby can talk, run a corporate operation and has a mission involving a company that threatens to change the balance of affection between babies and puppies.

The premise has the same gleefully absurd confidence as Gru’s secret lair or a Minion operation. The film takes a familiar childhood worry—what happens when a new baby arrives?—and imagines it as a high-stakes corporate comedy. Alec Baldwin gives the Boss Baby a polished executive voice that makes his tiny size and enormous sense of importance even funnier. Miles Bakshi voices Tim, whose vivid imagination shapes the story’s unusual point of view.

At its heart, the movie is about the uneasy relationship between two brothers who see one another as rivals. Tim is jealous of the attention the baby receives; the Boss Baby is focused on work and doesn’t want to get distracted by family. Their mission forces them to cooperate, and their changing relationship gives the comedy an emotional centre. It’s a family story dressed up as a secret-agent adventure.

Fans of Despicable Me will recognise the appeal of a character who is both ridiculous and oddly compelling. The Boss Baby’s world is full of gadgets, meetings and schemes, but the film eventually comes back to the importance of family. In the UK, it is currently listed on Sky Go and NOW Cinema, with digital rental and purchase options available. See current UK availability (https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/the-boss-baby).

4. Megamind (2010)

Megamind has always been the supervillain to Metro Man’s superhero. When he finally wins their long-running battle, he expects to enjoy ruling the city. Instead, without a hero to challenge him, he quickly gets bored. He creates a new rival, but his plan goes badly wrong when the new superhero becomes dangerous. Megamind is left with an unfamiliar task: saving the city he once tried to conquer.

This is a great pick if you like watching Gru’s character change across Despicable Me. Megamind begins with the label of villain already attached to him, but the film asks whether he has to keep playing that role. He’s a theatrical showman with a huge ego, yet his loneliness and need for purpose are easy to recognise. His transformation is funny because he approaches heroism like a job he has no experience doing.

Will Ferrell voices Megamind, and Tina Fey plays Roxanne Ritchi, the sharp reporter who sees through his grand performance. The film’s superhero action gives it scale, while its jokes poke fun at the familiar battle between caped hero and villain. The more Megamind tries to control the story, the more he discovers that doing the right thing is harder—and more rewarding—than simply winning.

Like Gru, Megamind finds that connection can change what he wants. His story isn’t about becoming perfect; it’s about taking responsibility for what he does next. That makes this a smart, funny follow-up for anyone who enjoys Despicable Me’s surprisingly heartfelt villain origin story. In the UK, Megamind is available to rent or buy through Apple TV, Amazon Video, Sky Store and Rakuten TV. Check the latest UK options (https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/megamind).

3. The Bad Guys (2022)

Mr. Wolf leads a crew of animal criminals known as the Bad Guys. Their heists are famous, and each member brings a particular talent to the operation: Mr. Snake is a safecracker, Ms. Tarantula is a hacker, Mr. Shark is a master of disguise and Mr. Piranha is the unpredictable muscle. After one robbery goes wrong, the gang is given a chance to reform—and Mr. Wolf starts to wonder whether he might actually like being seen as good.

There’s a clear connection to Gru’s journey. Both are characters who have built their identities around being bad, and both discover that doing something kind can feel surprisingly good. Mr. Wolf’s change is complicated by his loyalty to his crew. He doesn’t want to leave his friends behind, even as he begins to question the life they’ve built together.

Sam Rockwell voices Mr. Wolf, with Marc Maron, Awkwafina, Craig Robinson and Anthony Ramos as the rest of the gang. Their chemistry gives the crew a close-knit, chaotic feel. The animation has a loose, stylish quality, and the film borrows the fun of a caper movie: elaborate plans, disguises, double-crosses and last-minute escapes. It’s brisk and full of visual gags, but it also gives its characters room to make mistakes.

If you like the Minions’ loyalty to Gru and the way the Despicable Me films turn villains into a makeshift family, The Bad Guys is a natural match. It’s a heist comedy about friendship and the possibility of change, with enough jokes and action to keep the whole family entertained. In the UK, the film is currently available to rent or buy from digital stores such as Apple TV, Amazon Video and Sky Store. Check current UK streaming and rental options (https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/the-bad-guys-2022).

Our guide to the best family movies of all time (https://www.thatlovepodcast.com/post/best-family-movies-of-all-time-ranked) has even more suggestions for your next movie night. And if our work has helped you find something to watch, you can support the podcast here (https://www.thatlovepodcast.com/donate).

2. The Secret Life of Pets (2016)

Max is a small terrier who enjoys a comfortable routine with his owner, Katie. His life changes when Katie brings home Duke, a large stray dog who takes up space, attention and Max’s patience. A walk in the city soon turns into a much bigger adventure, and Max and Duke have to work together after they get separated from their usual surroundings.

The film shares Despicable Me’s gift for building a full comic world around the lives of ordinary-looking characters. Max and Duke have a rivalry that slowly becomes a friendship, while the animals they meet along the way make New York feel like a place with a secret society of pets. The central joke—that animals have an elaborate life when their owners leave—is a simple one, but it gives the movie endless room for playful detours.

Louis C.K. originally voiced Max, while Eric Stonestreet voices Duke; the film also features Kevin Hart as Snowball, a small white rabbit with a huge grudge against humans. Snowball’s over-the-top intensity makes him one of the film’s most memorable characters, and his chaotic energy will appeal to anyone who enjoys the Minions’ tendency to turn a manageable situation into a full-scale mess.

Under the comedy, the movie has a gentle story about jealousy, change and learning to share the people you love. Max and Duke start out competing for attention, but their journey gives them a chance to see one another differently. In the UK, The Secret Life of Pets is currently listed on Sky Go and NOW Cinema, and is also available free with ads on Rakuten TV. Check current UK options (https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/the-secret-life-of-pets).

1. Minions (2015)

Before they met Gru, the Minions spent centuries looking for a boss to follow. Their search takes them through history and eventually leads them to Scarlet Overkill, a stylish supervillain with plans to steal the Crown of England. Kevin, Stuart and Bob set out to help her, but their enthusiasm and their talent for accidental chaos quickly complicate the mission.

For fans of Despicable Me, this is the most direct choice on the list: the Minions take centre stage, and their comic energy powers almost every scene. Kevin is the practical one, Stuart would rather play music, and Bob is the small, sweet-hearted member of the trio. Their contrasting personalities make the adventure more than a collection of gags. They’re a little team, and their friendship gives the chaos a centre.

The film leans into visual comedy, invented language and the Minions’ instinct to treat every new situation as an opportunity for mischief. Sandra Bullock voices Scarlet Overkill, a confident, ambitious villain who wants the Minions to help her become the world’s first female supervillain. Jon Hamm voices her inventor husband, Herb, whose gadgets provide plenty of opportunities for comic mishaps.

What makes the Minions so enduring is how much feeling they can convey without long speeches. They’re loyal, affectionate and constantly making a mess of things, but their devotion to one another—and to the person they choose to follow—comes through clearly. Minions is a bright, silly finale for this list and a fun choice for anyone who loves the little yellow characters in Despicable Me.

In the UK, Minions is currently listed on Sky Go and NOW Cinema, with digital rental and purchase options also available. Check current UK listings (https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/minions).

More Animated Adventures to Explore

If you’d like to keep the animation marathon going, these That Love Podcast guides offer more ideas:

• The Best Family Movies of All Time (https://www.thatlovepodcast.com/post/best-family-movies-of-all-time-ranked)

• First 10 DreamWorks Movies, Ranked (https://www.thatlovepodcast.com/post/first-10-dreamworks-movies-ranked)

• The Evolution of Disney Animation (https://www.thatlovepodcast.com/post/the-evolution-of-disney-animation-from-snow-white-to-encanto)

• Movie Review: The Wild Robot (https://www.thatlovepodcast.com/post/movie-review-the-wild-robot-chris-sanders-delivers-an-instant-heartwarming-classic)

• 10 Movies to Watch If You Love Shrek (https://www.thatlovepodcast.com/post/movies-to-watch-if-you-love-shrek)

For more conversations about movies, television and culture, browse our podcast episodes (https://www.thatlovepodcast.com/episodes). If you’d like your business to reach our audience, learn about advertising with That Love Podcast (https://www.thatlovepodcast.com/advertise-with-us). And if you’d like to support our independent creators, you can donate here (https://www.thatlovepodcast.com/donate).

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I watch first if I love Despicable Me?

Start with Minions if you want more of the franchise’s signature characters and slapstick comedy. For a similar story about a villain changing, try Megamind or The Bad Guys. Hotel Transylvania is a good choice if you especially enjoy Gru’s family story.

Which movie on this list is most like Despicable Me?

The Bad Guys has a similar story about characters with a criminal reputation who begin to rethink who they want to be. Megamind also follows a supervillain whose life changes when he starts questioning his role.

Are the Minions in every Despicable Me movie?

The Minions appear throughout the Despicable Me franchise, but they aren’t the lead characters in every film. The standalone Minions movie focuses on Kevin, Stuart and Bob before they meet Gru.

Which film has the funniest villain?

That depends on your taste. Scarlet Overkill in Minions is a theatrical supervillain; Lord Business in The Lego Movie is a comic force of control; and Megamind is a villain whose elaborate self-image is the joke as well as the starting point for his character growth.

Which movies here are suitable for younger children?

Several of the films have a UK U classification, including Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie, The Lego Movie, Hotel Transylvania, Sing, The Boss Baby, The Secret Life of Pets and Minions. Check the current UK classification and consider your child’s sensitivities to peril, slapstick and monster characters.

What should I watch if I like Gru’s relationship with his daughters?

Hotel Transylvania is a close fit because it focuses on an overprotective father learning to let his daughter make her own choices. The Boss Baby also looks at sibling relationships and how a family changes when a new child arrives.

Which film has the best ensemble cast?

Sing has a large group of musical characters, each with a distinct story and voice. The Bad Guys is another strong ensemble pick, with a crew whose different talents and personalities drive the comedy.

Is The Secret Life of Pets similar to Despicable Me?

Both are animated comedies from Illumination, and both use a colourful cast, fast jokes and a story about characters learning to accept change. The Secret Life of Pets focuses on animals and friendship rather than supervillains and family life.

Where can I stream these movies in the UK?

Streaming availability changes. At the time of writing, Hotel Transylvania is listed on Amazon Prime Video, Sky Go and NOW Cinema; Sing is listed on Prime Video, Disney+, Sky Go and NOW Cinema; and The Secret Life of Pets is listed on Sky Go, NOW Cinema and Rakuten TV with ads. Other titles may be available to rent or buy. Use the linked JustWatch pages for current listings.

Which movie should I choose for family movie night?

Choose Minions for slapstick comedy, Sing for music, The Lego Movie for imaginative jokes, or The Secret Life of Pets for a warm story about animals and friendship. If your family enjoys superhero stories, Megamind offers action with a comic twist.

Use JustWatch UK (https://www.justwatch.com/uk) to check where a film is streaming, available to rent or available to buy. For cast information, film details and reviews, visit IMDb (https://www.imdb.com/) and Rotten Tomatoes (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/).

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More Places to Find Great Movies and TV Shows

If you're on the hunt for your next favorite TV show or movie, there's no shortage of resources to help you discover something worth watching. Whether you're looking for a new release, an underrated gem, or a timeless classic, these websites are useful places to continue your search:

1. ScreenRant – Your go-to source for the latest news, reviews, and insights on movies, TV shows, and entertainment trends.

2. CBR (Comic Book Resources) – A top destination for comic, movie, and TV news, with engaging updates for pop-culture fans.

3. Collider – Find movie news, trailers, and reviews covering the latest Hollywood releases.

4. IMDb – Explore cast details, trivia, ratings, and reviews for films and television.

5. Rotten Tomatoes – Browse movie and TV reviews, critic scores, audience ratings, and recommendations.

6. MovieWeb – Keep up with movie news, trailers, and reviews.

7. Slash Film – Read film and television news, reviews, features, and in-depth entertainment coverage.

8. Comic Book Movie – Follow comic-book, superhero movie, and related television news.