Universal Pictures has shuffled its animated film release dates, with Minions 3 taking an earlier spot in 2026 while Shrek 5 moves to a Christmas release.
Universal Pictures is making some big changes to its lineup of upcoming animated films. Minions 3, the next installment in the Despicable Me spinoff series, has been moved up almost a full year from June 30, 2027, to July 1, 2026, taking the place originally occupied by Shrek 5. Shrek 5 will now debut close to Christmas on December 23, 2026.
An untitled project from Chris Meledandri's company, Illumination, will take up the June 30 slot, securing an Independence Day release slot for the animation giant for the next two years after 2025. The Despicable Me franchise has been a major success since its debut in 2010, and the Minions spinoffs have been particularly popular. The first Minions film grossed $1.159 billion worldwide, while its sequel, Minions: The Rise of Gru, grossed $940.2 million. Most recently, Despicable Me 4 continued the franchise's success, earning $969 million worldwide. Minions 3 will be directed by franchise veteran Pierre Coffin, who has co-directed the previous Minions films and other installments in the Despicable Me series. Brian Lynch, who wrote The Secret Life of Pets, will also be returning to write the screenplay. The film is set to star Steve Carell as Gru. Meledandri will produce the film alongside Bill Ryan, who was an executive producer on The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Illumination's 2026 schedule is already looking busy, with the release of Minions 3 and the Super Mario Bros. Movie sequel on April 3. As for 2025, there are currently no announcements from Illumination.
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