Despicable Me 4 Ending Explained

The following contains spoilers for Despicable Me 4.

The Despicable Me 4 ending brings Gru and his family together for a happy conclusion even as it sets the stage for the future. The film largely focuses on Gru and his family going into Anti-Villain League witness protection after the villainous Maxime Le Mal vows vengeance against Gru. Despicable Me 4's story ends up diverging into several different plotlines, some of which are goofy, but the primary focus remains with Gru as he struggles to balance his infant son Gru Jr., being blackmailed by wannabee villain Poppy Prescot, and remaining ahead of Maxime's revenge attempt.

The sixth overall entry in the Despicable Me franchise, Despicable Me 4's characters end the film together, celebrating and reaffirming the themes of the series as a whole. It's a sweet reflection of the overall series, featuring plenty of cameos from old characters while highlighting just how much Gru has changed over the course of the franchise. While Despicable Me 4 sets up the potential for Gru to face off against both new and returning foes in future films, it offers a uniquely happy end to his story and allows the franchise to expand into other directions.

Gru Gets His Happy Ending In Despicable Me 4

Gru's Family Picnic Feels Like A Natural Conclusion To His Story

The ending of Despicable Me 4 closes out on a definitive high note for Gru and his family, and quietly works as a perfect conclusion for the character. After defeating Will Ferell's Despicable Me villain Maxime Le Mal, Gru and co. are able to return to their old lives and reunite as a family. This sets up a joyous family picnic that closes out the film, featuring Gru, Lucy, the kids, and the Minions, as well as cameos from Dr. Nefario, Gru's mother Marlena, and his brother Dru. It's a sweet moment that highlights how far Gru has come.

It also showcases the scope of the series' cast. In the first film, Gru was an over-confident villain with little concern for anyone else. As the films have continued, the Despicable Me franchise has seen him open up emotionally and create important relationships. Across the series, Gru has become an adopted father, a dedicated husband, and even a genuine hero. Despicable Me 4 even makes him a mentor to Poppy Prescott. All of this underscores the themes of the series as a whole, which have focused on how someone can become far better when they embrace love in their life.

Despicable Me 4's Ending Brings Back Previous Franchise Villains

How A Prison Talent Show Sees The Return Of Previous Major Villains

Before the picnic with his family, Despicable Me 4 reveals Gru visited an Anti-Villain League prison to speak with Maxime. Their rivalry remains, but Gru's weak apology for their high school conflict sets up a new prison talent show. This suggests their rivalry has deescalated from the nearly lethal heights of the film's climax and also sets up a franchise-wide series of cameos. While engaged in a dueling duet of "Everybody Wants To Rule The World," Gru and Maxime attract the attention of every other major Despicable Me series villain. Notably, none seem to hold a particular grudge against Gru.

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Despicable Me Detail Suggests A Very Different Minions Origin Than $1.1 Billion Movie Revealed

In light of Despicable Me 4, it's easy to forget that the original film in the franchise suggested a very different origin story for the Minions.

At first, it's Despicable Me's Vector, Despicable Me 2's El Macho, and Despicable Me 3's Balthazar Bratt, all revealed to be in the audience of the prison talent show watching the musical competition between Gru and Maxime. Over the course of the song, the villains from the Minions spin-off films step out of their cells to also watch. This includes Scarlet and Herb Overkill from Minions, as well as five members of the Vicious Six from Minions: The Rise of Gru. It's a fun way to reference the 13-year-old franchise's scope and tie in previous stories to the new film.

How Despicable Me 4 Sets Up The Franchise's Future

Despicable Me 4 Sets Up A Massive Villain Team-Up & Some New Potential Spin-Offs

Despicable Me 4 feels like a solid ending, with the expanded cast of the franchise all joining Gru in a celebration of the life he's built for himself. However, there are a number of potential directions the series could take going forward, even if it wants to move beyond Gru. The Minions working with the Anti-Villain League (particularly the super-powered Mega-Minions) could set up other adventures for the little yellow goofballs. Poppy's acceptance into Gru's villainous alma mater Lycee Pas Bon School of Villainy could introduce a fresh corner of the world and a new generation of characters.

The reveal that all of Gru's old foes are being held in the same prison could be used as the impetus for a big villainous team-up in a potential sequel. The sheer star power associated with the characters that have fought Gru over the years might make bringing them all back for major roles difficult, but recasting the roles or choosing a handful to focus on could allow for some fun rematches against Gru. The prison setting could even be a great way to introduce other dangerous new enemies who can go against Gru in a prospective Despicable Me 5.

The Real Meaning Of Despicable Me 4's Ending

Despicable Me 4's Ending Reaffirms The Family-Heavy Themes Of The Franchise

Despicable Me 4 reinforces the central themes of the entire franchise, highlighting the growth that Gru has gone through. Although Gru isn't a villain anymore, Despicable Me 4 underscores Gru's history as a bad guy. Poppy recognizes him for his past crimes, and even as an AVL agent he remains a vain figure. However, he's proven to be a dependable father, a loving husband, and a genuinely committed hero. All of that is because of the love that he's established with those around him. It's that same love he imparts on Gru Jr. that ends up saving his life.

Gru Jr. proves able to resist Maxime's mind control because of his love for his father, which serves as the big emotional turn in the film's climax. Despicable Me 4's ending, similar to other finales in the Despicable Me franchise, is a celebration of the unlikely family that's grown around Gru. It proves how far he's come, a far cry from what the Gru of Despicable Me's opening.

The ending of the fourth film also highlights how much more fulfilled Gru is with a family, underscoring the importance of having one regardless of blood connections, age differences, or even across different species.

How The Despicable Me 4 Ending Was Received

Fans' Mixed Reactions Suggested The Ending Was The Highlight

Despite being another box office success for the franchise, Despicable Me 4 actually received the worst reviews of any of the four Despicable Me movies, with 56% on Rotten Tomatoes. The movie was also met with a rather lukewarm response from audiences, many of whom complained about the unfocused plot and the lack of a coherent story. Regardless of these criticisms, many fans online have pointed to the ending of Despicable Me 4 as the highlight of the sequel.

The mix of the fun musical number as well as the cameos from all of the older villains made for an exciting way of wrapping up the main adventure story of the movie. While some fans pointed out the confusion of certain villains being included, such as Vector, who was supposed to be on Mars, and the Minions villains not having aged at all over several decades, most accepted it as pure fun. Redditor ArkhamIsComing2020 shared:

I thought most of the movie was decent enough but that ending was special, Everybody Wants To Rule The World is my favorite song of all time, I was not expecting a sing along of it at the end of this movie. 10/10 ending. Also I loved how they had Gru dressed up as Curt Smith from the original music video.

However, while aspects of the Despicable Me 4 ending seemed to set the stage for more to come, there were some fans who believe the final moments felt like the franchise was saying goodbye. Bringing back several forgotten characters, such as Dru and Dr. Nefario, along with the cameos from all of the villains gave the impression to some that the entire Despicable Me series was wrapping up. Redditor RedBirdHouse shared:

Honestly, kind of got vibes at the ending scene that this is the last of these movies? All the characters from all the movies and spinoffs all in one scene singing a song. Despicable Me might not be the best franchise in existence, but I enjoy all of them for their silliness and will be sad if this is the end.

The infamous (and kind-hearted) not-super villain Gru returns in Despicable Me 4, the fourth entry in the long-running movie series from Illumination Entertainment. The fourth film also sees the return of Gru's wife, Lucy, portrayed again by Kristin Wiig, and introduces their son.

Release Date July 3, 2024

Studio(s) Universal Pictures , Illumination Entertainment

Writers Mike White , Ken Daurio