Being one of the most successful animation studios in the industry, people tend to forget that Illumination
Entertainment was only established in 2010. With the quickfire success of the newest entry, the record-breaking video game adaptation of The Super Mario Bros, Illumination's box office gross has now accumulated up to over 8,5 billion dollars in total. After the imminent rise of Despicable Me back in 2011, almost every movie and franchise produced by the studio has been a hit at the theater. Of course, not every outcome of the studio is highly appreciated by critics, but their main targeted audience - the children - falls in love with every frame and wacky moment that the movies brought out.
Let's take a look at all of the iconic series that have made Illumination Entertainment into a behemoth in the animation industry, and make sure to note down some names, so you can later enjoy with your kids at night.
#1 The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
Source: Universal Pictures
Let's start with the latest entry of the studio, which has been breaking records left and right and becoming a hit all over the world. Initially an adaptation of the classic Nintendo video game, The Super Mario Bros revolves around the bizarre adventure of the two brothers - Mario and Luigi - on their way to defeat the mighty Bowser. Despite the speculations, the movie easily hauled in over 427 million dollars in terms of box office gross, just weeks from its theater debut.
#2 Despicable Me 1, 2, 3 (2010, 2013 and 2017)
Source: Universal Pictures
Probably the most well-known and successful franchise of the studio, Despicable Me is about a wannabe villain who wanted to steal the moon to establish himself as a bad guy but adopted 3 orphans instead. The movies are filled with hilarious dark humor jokes and wholesome family moments, and the appearance of the crazy yellow goofballs known as Minions were so popular with the kids, they receive their own spin-offs afterward. After the success of the first film, Illumination Entertainment quickly followed up with 2 sequels in 2013 and 2017, which brought them over 884 million dollars in total.
#3 The Secret Life of Pets 1 and 2 (2016 and 2019)
Source: Universal Pictures
Another success on the big screen for Illumination, The Secret Life of Pets attracts more than just dog and cat lovers to the cinemas. Follows the footsteps of the two canines Max and Duke to find their home, but the show's main superstar is the cute-yet-unhinged white rabbit called Snowball, who got an even more prominent role in the sequel.
#4 The Lorax (2012)
Source: Universal Pictures
The Lorax, with
Danny DeVito as the iconic orange bard, is an attempt by Illumination Entertainment to bring the iconic children's books of Dr.Seuss to the big screen. The film received mixed reviews from the critics, but the children still love the vibrant colors in the Truffula Forest, and the valuable lesson about pollution and protecting the environment that it brought.
#5 The Grinch (2018)
Source: Universal Pictures
After The Lorax, The Grinch is another effort of Illumination Entertainment to recreate Dr. Seuss's books to life. The movie is about a green fur grumpy creature called The Grinch, voiced by the famed Benedict Cumberbatch, who attempted to ruin the Christmas celebration in the town of Whoville. It's a good movie that will definitely warm your heart on a cold Christmas night.
#6 Sing and Sing 2 (2016 and 2021)
Source: Universal Pictures
I mean, who wouldn't want to watch an animated musical movie with CGI-made domestic
animals as singers? Because that is exactly what Sing and Sing 2 is about. The story involves different types of animals who excel in various types of music, as well as a number of famous hits that fans can instantly recognize the moment they hear. Both films were highly rated by the audience, and the third part is already in development, as announced by the studio.
#7 Hop (2011)
Source: Universal Pictures
The movie follows E.B., a young rabbit who wanted to be a drummer instead of succeeding his dad as the island's Easter Bunny. The special thing is, Hop is the only film made by Illumination Entertainment that combines life-action photography with animation. The movie received negative reviews from critics but is still a decent watch for your children.
#8 Minions & Minions: The Rise of Gru (2015 and 2022)
Source: Universal Pictures
Having made their glorious debut back in 2010, the Minions were so popular and loved by the fans, they got not just one, but TWO spinoffs in 2015 and 2022, this time with them as the protagonists. The movies take place before the story of the main franchise, when the adorable yellow creatures struggled to find a worthy villain to follow, and how they met Gru when he was young. Both parts were well received at the box office, and although the sequel was released back in 2022, fans are already asking for the next.