Year: 2010
Runtime: 95 min
Language: English
Director: Chris Renaud
Budget: $69M
This animated comedy follows Gru, a supervillain plotting to steal the moon, whose plans are hilariously disrupted when he adopts three energetic young girls, Margo, Edith, and Agnes. Suddenly, Gru finds himself unexpectedly navigating the challenges of fatherhood while trying to maintain his villainous ambitions. He must learn to balance his wicked schemes with the responsibilities of caring for his new family.
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Read the complete plot breakdown of Despicable Me (2010), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
Longtime supervillain Felonious Gru faces a blow to his ego when an unidentified rival cunningly steals the Great Pyramid of Giza. Together with his elderly assistant Dr. Nefario and his loyal army of Minions, Gru hatches a plan to steal the Moon instead. To secure funding, he approaches Mr. Perkins, the director of the Bank of Evil, who instructs Gru to acquire a shrink ray. It is at the bank that Gru first encounters the up-and-coming supervillain Vector, the orchestrator of the Pyramid heist. In a daring move, Gru and two of his Minions manage to obtain the shrink ray from a research facility in Southeast Asia, only to be ambushed by Vector, who snatches it from their grasp.
After several failed attempts to infiltrate Vector’s fortified lair, Gru notices three orphaned girls—Margo, Edith, and Agnes—who are permitted entry to sell cookies to Vector. Under the pretense of a dentist, Gru decides to adopt the girls and cleverly uses them as pawns to distract Vector while he plans to recover the shrink ray. His initial intention to abandon them at an amusement park takes an unexpected turn as he begins to bond with them.
Later, Gru attempts to impress Perkins by showcasing the shrink ray via a video call, but is met with rejection. Sensing Gru’s despair, the girls generously offer him their piggy bank, while the Minions chip in their resources to support the moon heist. Meanwhile, Perkins, learning about Gru’s possession of the shrink ray and revealing that Vector is his son, alerts Vector, setting off a chain of events to thwart Gru’s plans. Nefario calculates the optimal day for the moon heist, which, unfortunately, coincides with the girls’ much-anticipated ballet recital.
Feeling the girls are too much of a distraction, Nefario calls Miss Hattie, the owner of the orphanage, to take them back. Ignoring the advice of his assistant, Gru resolves to execute the moon heist alone, leaving Nefario behind. The following day, Gru successfully shrinks and steals the Moon. In a race against time, he hopes to make it to the recital but discovers that it has already ended and the girls have been kidnapped by Vector.
Upon arriving at Vector’s fortress, Gru surrenders the Moon in exchange for the girls, but Vector cruelly refuses to return them. Enraged, Gru launches an all-out assault on Vector’s stronghold, evading all defenses with determination. As panic sets in for Vector, he activates his escape aircraft. Meanwhile, Nefario and the Minions figure out that the shrink ray’s effects are fleeting; the larger the object, the quicker it returns to its normal size. In a thrilling rescue, Gru, Nefario, and the Minions manage to save the girls just in time, as the Moon begins to revert to its full size, sending it hurtling into orbit and obliterating Vector’s aircraft.
With the girls safe, Gru reclaims guardianship and they joyously celebrate at a special ballet recital that transforms into an unforgettable dance party.
Last Updated: November 16, 2024 at 14:07
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Amusing stories where villains find themselves on an unexpected path to goodness.Explore movies like Despicable Me where villains discover their softer side. These stories blend mischief and morality, offering comedic tales of redemption where anti-heroes find themselves on a hilarious and heartwarming path to becoming the good guy.
The narrative typically begins with the villain firmly entrenched in their wicked ways, often pursuing a grand, absurd scheme. A catalyst—like adopting children, forming an unlikely friendship, or being shown an act of kindness—forces them to confront their own humanity. The story unfolds through a series of comedic misadventures that pit their old life against their new, burgeoning conscience, culminating in a choice that solidifies their redemption.
These movies are grouped by their shared focus on a highly specific character arc: the comedic villain redemption. They balance the fun of the character's initial mischievousness with the emotional payoff of their transformation, creating a unique blend of lighthearted fun and genuine heart.
High-energy stories where makeshift families form through wild adventures.If you liked the chaotic found family in Despicable Me, you'll enjoy these similar movies. They feature high-energy stories where grumpy loners or misfits are brought together by hilarious circumstances, forming a loud, loving, and unconventional family by the end.
The plot revolves around a central figure, usually a loner or someone set in their ways, whose life is turned upside down by the arrival of energetic, often chaotic new companions. The narrative is driven by the friction and eventual fusion of these contrasting personalities. Key beats involve the initial resistance, shared comedic misadventures that build camaraderie, a moment of crisis that tests the new bonds, and a final triumph that solidifies them as a true family.
These films share a specific emotional and structural core: the joy of watching a dysfunctional group coalesce into a loving unit against a backdrop of frenetic energy and humor. The similarity lies in the combination of a fast pace, a light emotional weight, and the central, uplifting theme of found family.
Don't stop at just watching — explore Despicable Me in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Despicable Me is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Despicable Me with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Despicable Me. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
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Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Despicable Me: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
Discover movies like Despicable Me that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
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