Minions and Monsters to Kick Off the Annecy Animation Film Festival

Minions & Monsters will make its world premiere at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, where it is set to open the festival’s 2026 edition. The event will take place from June 21 to June 27, with the film launching globally on July 1.

The storyline, which was teased at CinemaCon earlier this month, follows the Minions as they navigate the challenges of Hollywood—culminating in their rise to fame, loss of everything, the unintended unleashing of monsters, and ultimately, their quest to save the planet from chaos.

Directed by Oscar-nominated Pierre Coffin, this film is the third in the Minions franchise, following Minions (2015) and Minions: The Rise of Gru.

Illumination has a longstanding relationship with the Annecy festival, having premiered Despicable Me there in 2010. This film launched the beloved franchise that includes the Minions movies. Subsequent Despicable Me films have also been showcased at the festival, with the fourth installment set to make its French premiere in 2024, attended by director Chris Renaud and producer Delage. In 2022, Minions: The Rise of Gru opened the festival.

In 2023, Illumination’s CEO Chris Meledandri received the festival’s Golden Ticket lifetime achievement award, highlighting the studio’s contributions to animation.

Coffin, who has previously directed the first three Despicable Me films as well as the first Minions film, continues to provide the voice for the Minions since their introduction in 2010.

The screenplay is co-written by Brian Lynch, known for his work on Minions and The Secret Life of Pets films, along with Coffin. The film is produced by Meledandri and Bill Ryan, who served as executive producer on The Super Mario Bros. Movie, while Lynch holds an executive producer credit.

Illumination has an exclusive financing and distribution partnership with Universal Pictures.

The festival is expected to unveil its full lineup on April 28, with Variety being the first to report that Minions & Monsters will be the opening film.