minions

Minions are fictional characters in the Despicable Me franchise, created by Illumination Entertainment. They are small, yellow, cylindrical creatures with one or two eyes, typically wearing blue overalls and goggles. They serve as the loyal helpers of master villains and heroes within the films and related media.

In-universe, minions appear to have existed for centuries, constantly seeking a new master to serve. They have served a succession of infamous individuals throughout history, often with comic failures before ultimately aligning with Gru, the central character of the series.

Minions communicate in Minionese, a playful creole that blends words from various languages and is designed for humor; their dialogue is typically accompanied by physical slapstick and expressive, nonverbal cues.

The characters appear in the feature films Despicable Me (2010), Despicable Me 2 (2013), and Despicable Me 3 (2017), as well as the spin-off films Minions (2015) and Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022). They also feature in short films, video games, merchandise, and theme park attractions; much of the franchise's branding centers on the minions.

Minions have achieved broad popular appeal as a cultural phenomenon, driving extensive merchandising and media appearances. Some critics have noted the saturation of the brand and the reliance on visual humor.