Minions & Monsters Opens Annecy as $5.6B Franchise Tests New Box-Office Run
Updated
Updated · Deadline · Jun 19
Minions & Monsters Opens Annecy as $5.6B Franchise Tests New Box-Office Run
3 articles · Updated · Deadline · Jun 19
Summary
Minions & Monsters premieres Sunday as Annecy’s opening film, putting the latest Despicable Me spinoff in front of the industry before its wider release.
The screening extends Annecy’s ties with the franchise, whose films have grossed more than $5.6 billion worldwide; the first Minions alone took about $1.16 billion.
U.S. studios are showing up in force despite Cannes debate about their retreat, with Disney, Warner Bros., Pixar, DreamWorks and Netflix all unveiling footage or hosting events.
Around the festival, the business conversation centers on tighter indie financing, a more nuanced AI debate after last year’s 150-person protest, and a hunt for fresh IP beyond sequels.
China’s animation rise also looms over Annecy after Ne Zha 2 reached $2.26 billion in 2025, with two Chinese films competing as the festival runs June 21-27.
As China's animation grosses billions, will its unique stories reshape Hollywood's global dominance?
As sequels dominate the box office, is Hollywood just giving audiences what they truly want?
As AI animation tools become common, can human creativity truly remain the driving force?
Minions & Monsters Launches at Historic Annecy 2026: $95M+ Opening Expected Amidst Fierce Animated Film Competition
Overview
The 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival, recognized as the first and only Class A festival dedicated to animation, is set to open on June 21 with record-breaking attendance from 118 countries. This historic edition highlights Annecy’s growing global influence as it hosts the world premiere of Illumination’s 'Minions & Monsters.' The film’s debut follows a major promotional campaign, including a Super Bowl trailer, and demonstrates how Annecy has become a crucial launchpad for major animated features. The festival’s expanded status and international reach are expected to generate significant attention for both the event and the film.