Illumination (company)

American animation film production company

Illumination is an American movie and animation studio. It is founded by Chris Meledandri in 2007 and is owned by Universal Pictures,[4][5][6] a division of NBCUniversal. NBCUniversal is a division of Comcast. The Minions are Illumination's mascots.

Illumination
Company typeDivision
IndustryAnimation
Motion pictures
FoundedJanuary 17, 2007; 17 years ago (2007-01-17)
FounderChris Meledandri
Headquarters,
U.S.
Key people
Chris Meledandri (CEO)[1]
Peter Schube (COO)[2]
ProductsAnimated films
OwnerNBCUniversal
(Comcast)
Number of employees
100 (2016)[3]
ParentUniversal Pictures
SubsidiariesIllumination Mac Guff
WebsiteOfficial website

Feature movies

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Released movies

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Title Release date Distributor/Co-production with Animation service Released by Notes
Despicable Me July 9, 2010 Universal Pictures Mac Guff Theatrical First Illumination in 3D.
Hop April 1, 2011 Universal Pictures

Relativity Media

Rhythm & Hues First-Latest Illlumination’s Live-Action.
The Lorax March 2, 2012 Universal Pictures

Dr. Seuss Enterprises

Illumination Mac Guff

Mac Guff

Second Illumination in 3D.

First Illumination in IMAX.

First Illumination’s Musical.

Despicable Me 2 July 3, 2013 Universal Pictures Illumination Mac Guff Third Illumination in 3D.
Minions July 10, 2015 Fourth Illumination in 3D.

Second Illumination in IMAX.

The Secret Life Of Pets July 8, 2016 Fifth Illumination in 3D.

Third Illumination in IMAX.

Sing December 21, 2016 Sixth Illumination in 3D.

Second Illumination’s Musical.

Despicable Me 3 June 30, 2017 Seventh Illumination in 3D.

Fourth Illumination in IMAX.

The Grinch November 9, 2018 Universal Pictures

Dr. Seuss Enterprises

Eighth Illumination in 3D.

Fifth Illumination in IMAX.

Third Illumination’s Musical.

The Secret Life Of Pets 2 June 7, 2019 Universal Pictures Ninth Illumination in 3D.
Sing 2 December 22, 2021 Illumination Studios Paris Tenth Illumination in 3D.

Fourth Illumination’s Musical.

Minions: The Rise Of Gru July 1, 2022 Eleventh Illumimation in 3D.

Sixth Illumination in IMAX.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie April 5, 2023 Universal Pictures

Nintendo

Twelveth Illumination in 3D.

Seventh Illumination in IMAX.

Migration December 22, 2023 Universal Pictures Thirteenth Illumination in 3D.
Despicable Me 4 July 3, 2024 Fourteenth Illumination in 3D.

Eighth Illumination in IMAX.

Upcoming

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Title Release date Distributor/Co-production with Animation service
Untitled The Super Mario Bros. Movie follow-up film April 3, 2026 Universal Pictures

Nintendo

Illumination Studios Paris
Minions 3 June 30, 2027 Universal Pictures

In development

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Title Notes
The Secret Life Of Pets 3
Sing 3
Untitled Pharrell Williams film

Short movies

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Released shorts

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Title Release date Co-production with Animation service Release with Notes
Home Makeover December 14, 2010 Universal Pictures Home Entertainment Mac Guff Despicable Me Home media release
Orientation Day
Banana
Brad & Gary July 1, 2011 Universal Pictures Illumination Mac Guff N/A Theatrical release
Phil's Dance Party March 23, 2012 Universal Pictures Home Entertainment Rhythm and Hues Hop Home media release
Wagon Ho! August 7, 2012 Universal Pictures Home Entertainment

Dr. Seuss Enterprises

Illumination Mac Guff The Lorax
Forces of Nature
Serenade
Puppy December 10, 2013 Universal Pictures Home Entertainment Despicable Me 2
Panic In The Mailroom
Training Wheels
Cro Minion December 8, 2015 Minions
Competition
Binky Nelson Unpacified
Mower Minions July 8, 2016 Universal Pictures The Secret Life Of Pets Theatrical release
Norman Television December 6, 2016 Universal Pictures Home Entertainment Home media release
Weenie
Gunter Babysits March 21, 2017 Sing
Love at First Sight
Eddie's Life Coach
The Secret Life Of Kyle December 5, 2017 Despicable Me 3
Yellow Is The New Black November 9, 2018 Universal Pictures The Grinch Theatrical release
The Dog Days of Winter November 23, 2018 NBCUniversal

Dr. Seuss Enterprises

Television release
Santa's Little Helpers February 5, 2019 Universal Pictures Home Entertainment Home media release
Minion Scouts June 7, 2019 Universal Pictures The Secret Life Of Pets 2 Theatrical release
Super Gidget August 27, 2019 Universal Pictures Home Entertainment Home media release
Minions & Monsters June 11, 2021 NBCUniversal Minions: The Rise of Gru Television release
For Gunter's Eyes Only March 29, 2022 Universal Pictures Home Entertainment Illumination Studios Paris Sing 2 Home media release
Animal Attraction
Post Modern Minions September 6, 2022 Minions: The Rise Of Gru
Peneglai September 16, 2022 Universal Pictures One and All Animation Studio N/A Limited Theatrical Release
Mooned December 22, 2023 Universal Pictures Illumination Studios Paris Migration Theatrical release
Fly Hard February 27, 2024 Universal Pictures Home Entertainment Home media release
Midnight Mission
Benny's Birthday September 24, 2024 Despicable Me 4
Game Over and Over

Television specials

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Title Release date Distribution/co-production with Animation service(s) Network(s) Shorts included
Minions Holiday Special November 27, 2020 NBCUniversal Television Distribution Illumination Mac Guff NBC Santa's Little Helpers, Training Wheels, Puppy, and Minion Scouts

Compilations

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Title Release date Distribution/co-production with Animation service(s) Streaming service(s) Shorts included
Minions & More 1 September 20, 2022 Universal Pictures Illumination Studios Paris Netflix Puppy, The Dog Days of Winter, Minion Scouts, Norman Television, Training Wheels, Love at First Sight, The Secret Life of Kyle, Weenie, Forces of Nature, and Santa's Little Helpers
Minions & More 2 November 8, 2022 Mower Minions, Super Gidget, Yellow is the New Black, Eddie's Life Coach, Competition, Serenade, Cro Minion, Wagon Ho!, Binky Nelson Unpacified, Panic in the Mailroom, and Gunter Babysits

Miscellaneous work

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Title Release date Notes
Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem July 2, 2012 Theme Park Ride
The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash! April 16, 2021

Series

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Web series

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Title Premiere date End date Network(s)
Saturday Morning Minions June 5, 2021 March 5, 2022 Facebook

Instagram

Who's Who? July 13, 2023 August 3, 2023 TikTok

YouTube

Bones Story TBA

Other medias

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Title Release date Co-production with Animation service Release with
Minion Moments: Drenched December 5, 2017 Universal Pictures Home Entertainment Alfred Imageworks Despicable Me 3
Minion Moments: Overkill Method Studios

Movie franchises

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Title Release date
Despicable Me 2010-present
Dr. Seuss 2012-2018
The Secret Life Of Pets 2016-present
Sing 2016-present
The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2023-present

Video Games

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Title Year Platform Publisher Developer
Depicable Me: The Game 2010 Nintendo Wii

Nintendo DS PlayStation 2 PlayStation Portable

D3 Publisher Monkey Bar Games
Hop 2011 Nintendo DS 505 Games
Minion Rush 2013 iOS

Google Play

Gameloft
Minions Paradise 2015 Electronic Arts

References

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  1. Gaita, Paul (December 5, 2017). "Illumination's Chris Meledandri Melds Together Cinematic Art and Cutting-Edge Technology". Variety. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  2. McNary, Dave (February 23, 2017). "Illumination Taps Peter Schube as Chief Operating Officer". Variety. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  3. Richford, Rhonda (December 9, 2016). "An Inside Look at Illumination's 24/7 Operation, From L.A. to Paris". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  4. Debruge, Peter (July 17, 2013). "Illumination Chief Chris Meledandri Lines Up Originals for Universal". Variety. Retrieved September 13, 2013.
  5. Kilday, Gregg (December 9, 2016). "Illumination's Chris Meledandri Talks Success Secrets, Rumors He'll Head DreamWorks". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
  6. "Why Illumination Entertainment Is One Of The Most Innovative Companies Of 2017". Fast Company. February 13, 2017. Retrieved February 11, 2017.