Story

Themes

Depression; natural disasters; crime

Violence

Minions has some violence. For example:

• A caveman punches a monkey.
• Napoleon gets shot by a cannon. His soldiers carry swords and guns
• A hitchhiking family robs a bank with guns and grenades.
• A minion shoots a gun at the police.
• The henchmen fight each other to get Scarlett’s attention.
• The minions are given a lava gun and a mind control weapon to ‘take out’ the guards at a palace.
• They also hit the guards with sticks.
• The queen at the palace punches a minion.
• Scarlett tries to attack and kill the minions with guns, bombs, missiles and other weapons.
• Scarlett shoots a missile at Kevin. He eats it and then they both explode. For a moment it looks like Kevin is dead. Bob cries. Kevin eventually returns, but this scene might upset some children.

Sexual references

Minions has some sexual references. For example:

• Scarlett and her husband Herb flirt with each other a lot, and Scarlett calls Herb a ‘fox’.
• The minions watch a dating game on television.
• One of the minions tries to flirt with a fire hydrant.

Alcohol, drugs and other substances

Minions shows some use of substances. For example, the queen drinks beer in a pub.

Nudity and sexual activity

Minions shows some nudity and sexual activity. For example:

• The mind control weapon makes the palace guards strip down to their underwear and slap each other on the bottom.
• Twice the audience is shown the minions’ bottoms. The first time is when Kevin is getting into a hot tub and he’s wearing a G-string. The second time is when a minion is coming out of the ocean.

Product placement

Minions is part of the Despicable Me franchise. Merchandise associated with Minions and other movies in the franchise is being marketed to children.

Coarse language

Minions has some mild coarse language and insults.

Ideas to discuss with your children

Minions is a funny animated movie that will delight children and adults. It features characters first seen in Despicable Me.

This movie is most suitable for children aged over eight years, because there are violent scenes involving guns, bombs, grenades, and explosions. There are also some scary characters. Because of these violent and scary elements, Minions isn’t recommended for children under five years. We also recommend parental guidance for children aged 5-8 years, particularly those who might be disturbed by the violent and scary elements.

The main message from this movie is to follow your dreams.

Values in this movie that you could reinforce with your children include loyalty and determination.
This movie could also give you the chance to talk with your children about real-life issues like the consequences of violence, crime and hurting or being unkind to people to get what you want.