Minions: The Rise of Gru: Cast, Plot, Netflix & Release Date

Gru’s origin story lands somewhere between “adorable chaos” and “future world domination” — and that tension is exactly what makes Minions: The Rise of Gru work. The film drops a pint-sized Gru into the early 1970s, where he faces rejection from supervillain idols and bonds with his loyal but accident-prone Minions. With Steve Carell returning as the voice of young Gru, the movie carved out a unique spot as the fifth entry in the Despicable Me franchise.

Gru’s Age in Film: 11-12-year-old · Voice of Gru: Steve Carell · Minions Voiced By: Pierre Coffin · Film Setting: Early 1970s · Streaming Availability: Netflix

Minions: The Rise of Gru Release Date

The film faced a winding road to theaters. Originally set for July 3, 2020, the pandemic pushed the release date twice — first to July 2, 2021, then to July 1, 2022. After two years of delays, Minions: The Rise of Gru had its world premiere at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on June 13, 2022, followed by a Hollywood premiere at TCL Chinese Theatre on June 25, 2022.

Theatrical and streaming details

The US theatrical run opened on July 1, 2022, with international releases staggered across June and July. Australia caught it on June 16, 2022, while the Netherlands got it June 22. Peru premiered on June 29, with Portugal, Slovakia, and Argentina following on June 30. For home viewing, digital download arrived August 30, 2022, and physical media (4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD) hit shelves September 6, 2022.

Streaming rights followed a rotating schedule: Peacock debuted the film on September 23, 2022, approximately 84 days after theatrical release. Netflix US picked it up on January 30, 2023, after a one-week delay from the originally planned January 23 debut. The current deal structure places the film on Peacock for four months, then Netflix US for ten months, before cycling back to Peacock for four more months.

Minions: The Rise of Gru Cast

The voice cast brings together a mix of returning talent and fresh faces. Steve Carell reprised his role as Gru — here portrayed as an 11- or 12-year-old — for the animated prequel. Pierre Coffin handled the Minions, voicing Kevin, Stuart, Bob, Otto, and the rest of the yellow chaos agents.

Main voice actors

Alan Arkin voiced Wild Knuckles, the former leader of the Vicious 6 who becomes Gru’s reluctant mentor. This marked Arkin’s final film role before his 2023 passing, lending emotional weight to the character. Supporting voices included Russell Brand as Dr. Nefario, Will Arnett as a returning favorite, Steve Coogan, and Julie Andrews.

New characters

The Vicious 6 villain roster brought notable names: Taraji P. Henson voiced Belle Bottom, the group’s leader, while Michelle Yeoh provided the voice of Master Chow. Additional villain voices came from Danny Trejo (Stronghold), Lucy Lawless (Nunchuck), and Dolph Lundgren (Svengeance). Jean-Claude Van Damme and RZA also appeared in the cast, with Dolph Lundgren lending his action-star gravitas to the villain lineup.

Minions: The Rise of Gru Wild Knuckles

Wild Knuckles occupies a unique role in the film — simultaneously a former supervillain idol and Gru’s reluctant mentor. As the former leader of the Vicious 6, he initially dismisses young Gru’s ambitions before eventually bonding with him after his own goons quit.

Role in the story

The character serves as a bridge between Gru’s fanboy fantasy and the reality of supervillainy. When Gru seeks admission to the Vicious 6 — the elite supervillain group he idolizes — Wild Knuckles represents the figure he most wants to impress. Their dynamic drives much of the film’s emotional core, especially given that it was Alan Arkin’s final performance before his death in 2023.

Belle Bottom, voiced by Taraji P. Henson, leads the Vicious 6 as the film’s primary antagonist. The group operates as a supervillain collective that young Gru initially dreams of joining before the story pivots to conflict with the organization.

The pattern shows how the film layers humor atop genuine sentiment, using Arkin’s farewell performance to give audiences something to remember long after the Minion antics fade.

Minions: The Rise of Gru Netflix

US viewers can currently watch the film on Netflix and Netflix Standard with Ads, with the streaming debut occurring January 30, 2023. The platform rotation follows a structured deal: Peacock for four months, Netflix US for ten months, then back to Peacock for four more months.

Streaming options

For those without Netflix, the film is also available to buy or rent through Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Fandango At Home. JustWatch confirms current availability on Netflix in the US market. Regional Netflix availability varies — UK and Canada regions may have received the film around 2024 based on historical patterns for Illumination releases, while Latin American Netflix regions typically carry Illumination movies approximately three years after theatrical debut.

The film was the best-selling home-video release of September 2022, with Blu-ray accounting for 48% of sales — demonstrating strong physical media demand alongside streaming.

Minions: The Rise of Gru LEGO

The film inspired a line of LEGO sets tied to the Minions prequel, capitalizing on the franchise’s merchandising strength. While specific set details and release dates vary by market and availability, these sets typically feature Minion figures in their 1970s-inspired styling alongside elements from the film’s supervillain world.

Related toy sets

LEGO and Illumination have collaborated on multiple Minions-themed releases, with sets ranging from smaller buildable figures to larger playsets featuring the film’s key locations and vehicles. Collectors and families alike can find Minions: The Rise of Gru-branded LEGO sets at major retailers, though stock varies by region and season.

The merchandising partnership leverages the franchise’s established appeal — the original Minions film spawned numerous LEGO collaborations, and the 1970s aesthetic of the prequel offered fresh visual material for new set designs.