Despicable Me 4 is headed to theaters in 2024, and the next installment in Illumination's supervillain franchise could be one of Gru's wildest adventures yet. Beginning with Despicable Me (2010), the $3.7-billion franchise has grown to become one of the highest-grossing of all time. Sequels and even spin-off prequels are consistently pumped out in two to three-year intervals, ensuring the series remains popular. In between the Despicable Me movies, themed books, video games, and short films have also been released. The franchise continues to thrive, and Universal has confirmed that Despicable Me 4 will expand Gru's world even more.

Despicable Me 4 is one of the most highly anticipated upcoming movies on Universal's calendar, and although specifics around the plot and cast are still being kept under-wraps by Illumination, there's been plenty teased in the build up to the 2024 release date. Despicable Me 3 had a monumental theatrical run, with its new villain Balthazar Bratt, played by Trey Parker, proving a hit with audiences. Now a release date has finally been given for Despicable Me 4, with story details teased by Gru voice actor Steve Carell himself.

Related: Despicable Me & Minions Viewing Order (Release & Chronological)

The Latest Despicable Me 4 News

There's been little news on Despicable Me 4 since the release date was confirmed in February 2022. There have been a few teases from Steve Carell about what's in store for Gru in the next Despicable Me movie, although these have been incredibly broad. It's still not known who the villain Gru will be facing is, for example, or if his brother Dru will be in the next Despicable Me film.

The most recent Despicable Me 4 news was a rumored streaming release date. While the theatrical release date is confirmed as July 3, 2024, there's been no word from Illumination or Universal about when the new Despicable Me movie will be available to stream. Various outlets have reported a rumored streaming release date of October or November 2024 (via comingsoon.net). However, until the studio confirms this it can't be taken as a guarantee. It's believed that Despicable Me 4 will find its streaming home on Peacock.

Despicable Me 4 Is Confirmed

Despicable Me 4 was confirmed by Illumination and Universal Pictures and was announced to be in production in February 2022, five years after the third movie in 2017. It's unclear as to why there was such a long wait in between installments. The 2024 release date for the next Despicable Me movie was confirmed on announcement, and so far hasn't been delayed despite the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic and 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes happening in the interim.

Despicable Me 4 Release Date

Universal Pictures and Illumination have set the Despicable Me 4 release date for July 3, 2024. It's currently unknown when the movie will be available to stream, though it's rumored to arrive for home viewing by around October or November the same year. It's expected that Despicable Me 4 will be hosted on Peacock.

Despicable Me 4 Cast: Which Voice Actors & Characters Will Return?

So far, only four actors have been officially announced to be a part of the Despicable Me 4 cast. Steve Carell (The Office) is returning as Gru, while Kristen Wiig (Bridesmaids) voices his wife, Lucy Wilde. Miranda Cosgrove (iCarly) rejoins the cast as Gru’s eldest daughter Margo, with Steve Coogan (Philomena) returning as Silas Ramsbottom. Despicable Me 4 viewers can also look forward to another round of shenanigans as Pierre Coffin (Minions) is once again providing the voice of all the Minions in the movie.

While Margot has been confirmed to appear in Despicable Me 4, what about Gru and Lucy's other daughters? Over the course of the three Despicable Me movies, only one of the girls has been recast, with Despicable Me and the sequel seeing Elsie Fisher (Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2022) playing Agnes, and Nev Scharrel (All Rise) taking over the part for Despicable Me 3. So, it's highly likely that Dana Gaier (The Secret Life of Kyle) will reprise her role as Edith, and Nev Scharrel will take on Agnes once again for the cast of Despicable Me 4.

Despicable Me 4 Story & Plot Details

While the plot details of the Despicable Me 4 story are still under wraps, there have been a few details teased about the premise. Despicable Me 4's story will mostly likely focus on another supervillain-caused world-ending event that only Gru’s expertise can stop. Steve Carell opened up to Digital Spy and revealed a little where Gru and his family are at the start of the next Despicable Me movie. According to Carell, the Despicable Me 4 story will see Gru and his family fighting together in the Anti-Villain League.

"It's a continuation of the story. Gru and Lucy are married; they're a family at this point." He explained, "It's the next step in their world with the Anti-Villain League and how their kids are included in the whole process." Outside of this there are few specific details about what to expect from the plot of Despicable Me 4. Director Chris Renaud (Despicable Me 1 and 2, and The Lorax) is set to work on the project, while Mike White (The White Lotus) is writing the screenplay. As with all the films of Illumination, Chris Meledandri is producing Despicable Me 4.

Despicable Me 4 Trailer

As of now, there is no Despicable Me 4 trailer. Since the movie isn't releasing until summer of 2024, don't expect a trailer to release relatively soon. It's possible, though not probable, that a teaser may drop toward the end of 2023, but it's much more likely that any Despicable Me 4 promotional material won't hit the public until early 2024.