As A Movie Lover, I Wish I Could've Seen Minions & Monsters As A Kid

A Minion is shown in the trailer for Minions & Monsters.
(Image credit: Universal Pictures)

As a kid who grew up on Despicable Me and an adult who has not historically been a fan of the Minions movies, I was apprehensive about the latest installment of this franchise. However, after seeing Minions & Monsters reviews, I knew I had to check out this entry on the 2026 movie schedule. Now, I’ve seen it, and not only am I happy I spent 89 minutes watching this film, but I also left thinking about how I really wish it existed when I was a child.

I quickly fell in love with films and the art of making them when I was a kid. I was also always transfixed by movies about movies – like the beloved musicals Singin’ in the Rain and La La Land. It was through these two things that I found my passion for film. Then, I realized that Minions & Monsters has the power to do just that too, which is why I wish I had seen it as a kid.

Minions & Monsters Is Such A Fun Introduction To How Movies Are Made And Film History

What I really loved about Minions & Monsters is how it made making a movie the plot while also making tons of remarkable jokes about iconic films. So, it was all around just a jam-packed story about movies that feels like it was made for film lovers.

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From the story perspective, we followed James, Henry and Ed as they traveled with the Minions. When they arrived at a film studio, they realized they wanted to make a movie. That’s how the monsters came into play. So, Minions & Monsters shows us the adventure that ensues as these yellow creatures learn how to make a movie (and defeat some monsters). And honestly, it reminded me of being a kid, picking up a camera and going for it.

Then, along with that, the film is full of references and jokes about old, classic films. From an A+ sequence that felt like an homage to Jaws (one of Steven Spielberg’s best movies) to an incredible Citizen Kane bit to a joke involving iconic directors’ names that literally had me laughing out loud, I couldn’t get enough of how Minions & Monsters showed its love for Hollywood.

And by showing this love, young viewers can get a great, albeit very silly, introduction to filmmaking and film history.

I Really Hope Minions & Monsters Helps Kids Fall In Love With Movies

Now, kids might not get everything I just wrote about on their first watch. However, it could inspire them to learn about film, and I wanted something like that when I was younger.

I think the reason why Minions & Monsters works so well is that it's such a sincere love letter to movies while also being an action-packed and ridiculous movie within the world of Despicable Me. I really think it could inspire a new generation to get into the world of filmmaking and film history, and if it does that, I think it’s a success.

Of course, Minions & Monsters has made money at the box office, and it’s gotten good reviews. So it is a success. However, I also hope it can be that film that makes a kid fall in love with movies. I certainly know that’s the impact it would have had on me if I’d seen it as a kid.

Riley Utley
Weekend Editor

Riley Utley is the Weekend Editor at CinemaBlend. She has written for national publications as well as daily and alt-weekly newspapers in Spokane, Washington, Syracuse, New York and Charleston, South Carolina. She graduated with her master’s degree in arts journalism and communications from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University. Since joining the CB team she has covered numerous TV shows and movies -- including her personal favorite shows Ted Lasso and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. She also has followed and consistently written about everything from Taylor Swift to Fire Country, and she's enjoyed every second of it.

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