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“Minion Mayhem Meets Halloween: DESPICABLE ME 4 Tricks and Treats Its Way to Peacock!”

By Familyguide Contributor

Halloween viewers are in for a special treat on Peacock this year. The streaming platform will debut DESPICABLE ME 4 on October 31st.

The beloved animated film was a box office sensation during its summer theatrical run.

According to industry reports, the fourth installment in the series amassed an impressive $360.8 million domestically and $593.3 million internationally, totaling $954.1 million worldwide. This achievement propelled the DESPICABLE ME franchise to become the first animated series to surpass $5 billion in global box office earnings. Fans will be delighted to know that all four films in the franchise will be available for streaming on Peacock by Halloween.

Familyguide® has consistently given positive reviews to all DESPICABLE ME films. Our assessment of DESPICABLE ME 4 states:

The latest installment opens with Gru and his minion companions visiting his former School of Villainy to apprehend Maxime Le Mal. With assistance from the Anti-Villain League, Gru captures Maxime, who has transformed into a giant cockroach with extraordinary abilities. However, Maxime escapes custody and swears vengeance on Gru and his loved ones. This forces Gru’s family into witness protection. Despite their precautions, they’re not entirely safe. Poppy, their teenage neighbor, recognizes Gru and blackmails him into aiding her theft of the School of Villainy’s mascot, an aggressive honey badger. This heist compromises their hidden location and puts Gru’s infant son at risk.

DESPICABLE ME 4 delivers plenty of laughs, largely centered around the minions’ comical antics. The film presents a strong moral, family-oriented worldview. Gru’s protective nature towards his family and his mission to rescue his son from the villain are central themes. Additionally, young Agnes’s refusal to lie sets a positive example. However, parents should note that much of the humor revolves around slapstick situations caused by the minions. As such, Familyguide® recommends discretion for very young viewers.

The star-studded cast includes Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Lucy Wilde, Pierre Coffin, Joey King, Miranda Cosgrove, Stephen Colbert, Sofía Vergara, Dana Gaier and Will Ferrell. Chris Renaud directs, with Patrick Delage serving as co-director.

Renaud attributes the movie’s broad appeal to its family-centric themes.

He shared, “Having moved at age 15 myself, exploring that as a new family challenge was particularly compelling. My fondness for these characters is evident in the films I’ve worked on. While I’m grateful for the audience’s strong response, my personal affection for them was another motivating factor to return to the franchise.”