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Illumination

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Illumination, formerly known as Illumination Entertainment, is an American animation studio founded by Chris Meledandri in 2007 and is a division of Universal Pictures,[1][2][3] a division of Comcast through its wholly owned subsidiary NBCUniversal; Meledandri produces the films, while Universal finances and distributes them.[2] The studio is best known for creating the Despicable Me, The Secret Life of Pets, and Sing franchises, as well as the adaptations of Dr. Seuss' books The Lorax and How the Grinch Stole Christmas!; and Nintendo video games, starting with The Super Mario Bros. Movie.[4] The Minions, characters from the Despicable Me series, are the mascots of the studio.

Illumination has produced 15 feature films, with an average gross of $711 million per film. The studio's highest-grossing films are The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023; $1.362 billion), Minions (2015; $1.159 billion), and Despicable Me 3 (2017; $1.034 billion), all of which are among the 50 highest-grossing films of all time, and eight of their films are among the 50 highest-grossing animated films.

History[]

Meledandri left as President of 20th Century Fox Animation and Blue Sky Studios in early 2007. While at those companies he supervised or executive-produced movies including Ice Age, Robots, Ice Age: The Meltdown, and Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!. After leaving, he founded Illumination Entertainment and a deal was announced positioning Illumination Entertainment as Universal's family entertainment arm, that would produce one to two films a year starting in 2010.[5] As part of the deal, Illumination retains creative control and Universal Pictures exclusively distributes the films.[6]

In 2011, Illumination acquired the animation department of the French animation and visual effects studio Mac Guff, which animated Despicable Me and Dr. Seuss' The Lorax, and formed Illumination Mac Guff (later Illumination Studios Paris).[7][8][9]

On August 22, 2016, NBCUniversal acquired competing studio DreamWorks Animation, which fueled speculation that Meledandri was to oversee both studios.[10][11][12] While he had been approached by NBCUniversal to oversee both studios, he turned down the offer and later explained "I love the process of making films and working with artists. I don't think I'm particularly great at managing companies".[13]

On September 23, 2022, Illumination announced its hiring of former Netflix head of adult animation Mike Moon as senior creative advisor, and a new label led by Moon known as Moonlight, which will aim to "produce animated films that push beyond the family genre".[14][15]

Process[]

In a similar fashion to Sony Pictures Animation and Warner Bros. Pictures Animation, Illumination does not produce its films in-house where it is based in Santa Monica, but rather outsources the animation production of its films to other studios. Most of its films are animated by Illumination Studios Paris,[16] a subsidiary formed through the purchase of Mac Guff (which animated the first Despicable Me).[17][18] So far, the only Illumination film not to be animated by Illumination Studios Paris or Mac Guff was Hop, which was animated by Rhythm & Hues Studios.[19]

Not unlike Pixar, in its early days Illumination depended on a core group of directors and writers to create its films. The directors of Despicable Me, Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud, also directed or co-directed Dr. Seuss' The Lorax, Despicable Me 2, Minions, The Secret Life of Pets, and Despicable Me 3. Screenwriters Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio (who had written Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who! for Meledandri at Fox) wrote or co-wrote Despicable Me, Hop, Dr. Seuss' The Lorax, Despicable Me 2, The Secret Life of Pets, and Despicable Me 3, while screenwriter Brian Lynch wrote or co-wrote Hop, Minions, and The Secret Life of Pets.

Illumination's films generally have a budget between $60–80 million. Meledandri prefers to keep Illumination adhering to a low-cost model, recognising that "strict cost controls and hit animated films are not mutually exclusive". In an industry where film expenses often exceed $100 million, Illumination's first two releases were completed with significantly lower budgets, considering Despicable MeTemplate:'s $69 million budget and HopTemplate:'s $63 million budget. One way the company sustains a lean financial model is by employing cost-conscious animation techniques that lower the expenses and render times of its computer graphics.[20] To date, The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Despicable Me 4 are the studio's most expensive films, both with a $100 million budget.[21][22]

Filmography[]

Main article: List of Illumination filmography

The studio's first film, Despicable Me, directed by Chris Renaud and Pierre Coffin, was released on July 9, 2010, and was commercially successful, earning $56 million on its opening weekend, and going on to ticket sales of $251 million domestically and $543 million worldwide.[23][24] Illumination's second film was the live-action/CGI hybrid Hop. Directed by Tim Hill and released on April 1, 2011, the film had a $37 million opening, ending up with $108 million domestically and $183 million worldwide.[25] Hop was followed by an adaptation of Dr. Seuss' The Lorax (also directed by Renaud), which debuted on March 2, 2012, earning $70 million on its opening weekend, and with eventual totals of $214 million in the US market and $348 million worldwide. The studio's first sequel, Despicable Me 2, again directed by Renaud and Coffin, opened in the United States on July 3, 2013, to a domestic five-day opening weekend of $142 million (and $82 million over the regular three-day frame), making it, at the time of its release, the biggest animated film to open on that frame.[26] The film would go on to earn $368 million domestically and $970 million worldwide,[27][28] becoming the second highest-grossing 2013 animated film and breaking a record as the most profitable Universal Pictures film in its 100-year history.[29] A spin-off of the Despicable Me franchise, titled Minions, directed by Coffin and newcomer Kyle Balda, was released on July 10, 2015[30] to a domestic opening weekend of $115 million.[31] The film would go on to gross $336 million domestically and $823 million overseas, amounting to a worldwide total of $1.159 billion, making it the highest-grossing animated film of 2015 and, at the time of its release, the second highest-grossing animated film of all time, behind Walt Disney Animation Studios' Frozen (2013).[32][33]

The Secret Life of Pets was released on July 8, 2016.[34] Directed by Renaud and Yarrow Cheney, the film would earn $104 million in its opening weekend, going on to gross $368 million domestically, and $875 million worldwide. Sing, a comedy written and directed by Garth Jennings, was released on December 21, 2016.[35] It was the first movie for the studio to have a Christmas release. The film would earn $56 million in its first 5 days, grossing $270 million stateside and $634 million worldwide. It also holds the record for the highest-grossing film not to ever be at No. 1 in its run. Despicable Me 3, which reunited Coffin and Balda as directors, was released on June 30, 2017, to a $75 million domestic opening weekend.[36] The film would then go on to gross $264 million domestically and $1.034 billion worldwide, making it the second film from the studio to cross the $1 billion mark, as well as highest-grossing animated film of 2017. At the time of its release, it also set a record for the highest theatre count ever with 4,536 theatres in its second week.[37] The film that followed was an adaptation of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, simply titled The Grinch, which was released on November 9, 2018, with Scott Mosier and Cheney as directors and featuring a screenplay by Michael LeSieur and Tommy Swerdlow.[35] The film opened to $67 million in its first domestic weekend[38] and went on to earn $271 million stateside and $513 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing Christmas film of all time.[39] The Secret Life of Pets 2, again directed by Renaud, was released on June 7, 2019, to a domestic opening weekend of $47 million,[40] going on to gross $159 million stateside and $446 million worldwide, making less than half of its predecessor.[41]

It was followed by Sing 2, again directed by Jennings, which was released on December 22, 2021. Despite opening to a modest $41 million over a five-day weekend (and $23 million over the normal three-day frame),[42] the film would eventually become the highest-grossing animated film of 2021, as well as the highest-grossing animated film released during the COVID-19 pandemic, earning $163 million stateside and $408 million worldwide.[43] Minions: The Rise of Gru, directed by Balda, was released on July 1, 2022, after a delay of two years caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.[44][45][46] The film earned $125 million stateside over the four-day July 4 weekend, a new record over said timeframe.[47] The film would go on to overtake Sing 2 as the highest-grossing animated film during the pandemic, with $369 million domestically and $939 million worldwide.[48][49]

The Super Mario Bros. Movie, an animated film based on the Mario video game franchise as a collaboration with Nintendo directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, was released on April 5, 2023.[50][13][51][52] The film debuted to a $146.4 million domestic opening weekend, holding several box office records including the highest opening weekend for a video game adaptation as well as the highest opening weekend for Illumination.[53][54] The film would go on to gross $574.9 million domestically and $1.36 billion worldwide, becoming the third Illumination film to cross the $1 billion mark, as well as the second highest-grossing film of 2023.[55][56] Migration, an original film directed by Benjamin Renner, was released on December 22, 2023.[57][58] It was followed by Despicable Me 4, directed by Renaud, on July 3, 2024.[57]

On May 19, 2011, Illumination announced that it would be working with Universal Pictures to create Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, a 3-D ride at Universal Parks & Resorts in Orlando, Hollywood, and Osaka.[59] The ride officially opened on July 2, 2012, in Orlando, in Hollywood on April 12, 2014, and in Osaka on April 21, 2017. In April 2019, it was announced they would collaborate again on the creation of The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash!, a dark ride attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood.[60][61] While its opening was scheduled for March 27, 2020, it was delayed until further notice due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in California.[62] It eventually opened on April 8, 2021.[63]

Future projects include a sequel to The Super Mario Bros. Movie on April 3, 2026 and Minions 3 on June 30, 2027.[64][65][66][67] Other films the studio has in development include Big Tree, a film based on an illustrated novel by Brian Selznick from an idea by Meledandri and Steven Spielberg,[68] The Secret Life of Pets 3,[69] Sing 3,[70] and an original animated film with frequent collaborator and musician Pharrell Williams that will be "made from scratch."[13]

In addition, two web short series are in development by Pierre Coffin: A Minions spin-off titled Who's Who, and an original series titled Bones Story. The shorts will be released on TikTok and subsequently on YouTube.[70]

Franchises[]

Title Films Shorts Release dates
Despicable Me 7 20 2010-present
The Secret Life of Pets 2 3 2016-present
Sing 5
The Super Mario Bros. Movie 0 2023-present
Migration 1 1

Trivia[]

  • Their name is a play on the words illuminate and animation.
  • The Minions are Illumination's mascot.
  • Despicable Me is popular for using the theme song for the 1968 MGM movie 2001: A Space Odyssey and the opening theme for the original 1967 Columbia Pictures version of Casino Royale.
  • This company has not yet made a G-rated production, as most one of its feature-length films so far has been rated PG by the MPAA (as of the short film Mower Minions and Minion Scouts), due to stricter reasons.

References to Upcoming films[]

References[]

  1. ↑ Debruge, Peter (July 17, 2013). "Illumination Chief Chris Meledandri Lines Up Originals for Universal". 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named THRSecretsRumors
  3. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named FastCompanyInnovative2017
  4. ↑ Brian (2023-04-06). "Nintendo and Illumination up for more movie collaborations". (en) Nintendo Everything.
  5. ↑ "Family films for Universal". (en-US) Variety (2007-01-18).
  6. ↑ Fleming, Michael (March 6, 2008). "Meledandri, Universal team on deals". (en-US).
  7. ↑ Fleming, Mike (November 14, 2011). "Universal Pictures Buys Paris Animation Unit For Chris Meledandri's Illumination". 
  8. ↑ "ILLUMINATION MAC GUFF (PARIS 15) Chiffre d'affaires, résultat, bilans sur SOCIETE.COM - 533478434". www.societe.com.
  9. ↑ Keslassy, Elsa (December 12, 2011). "Universal benefit in Mac Guff accord". 
  10. ↑ "Comcast's NBCUniversal buys DreamWorks Animation in $3.8-billion deal". Los Angeles Times (April 28, 2016).
  11. ↑ "NBCUniversal Unveils New DreamWorks Annimation Senior Management". The Hollywood Reporter (August 23, 2016).
  12. ↑ McNary, Dave (August 22, 2016). "Comcast Completes $3.8 Billion Purchase of DreamWorks Animation" (in en-US). 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Lang, Brent (November 6, 2018). "Inside Illumination's Plans for Animated 'Super Mario Bros.' Movie". Variety. Archived from the original on November 6, 2018. Retrieved November 6, 2018.Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.
  14. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2022-09-23). "Illumination Teams With Mike Moon To Launch New Label Moonlight". (en-US) Deadline.
  15. ↑ Lang, Brent (2022-09-23). "Illumination Taps Former Netflix Adult Animation Chief Mike Moon to Start Moonlight Label". (en-US) Variety.
  16. ↑ "An Inside Look at Illumination's 24/7 Operation, From L.A. to Paris", The Hollywood Reporter (December 9, 2016). 
  17. ↑ Keslassy, Elsa (2011-12-12). "Universal benefit in Mac Guff accord", Variety. 
  18. ↑ Desowitz, Bill (July 8, 2010). "Meet the 'Despicable Me' Directors", Animation World Network, AWN, Inc.. 
  19. ↑ Liu, Ed (December 18, 2010). "Toonzone Interviews Chris Meledandri on Despicable Me".. ToonZone.net.
  20. ↑ Barnes, Brooks (April 3, 2011). "For Illumination Entertainment, Animation Meets Economic Reality", The New York Times. 
  21. ↑ Rebecca Rubin (April 6, 2023). "Box Office: 'Super Mario Bros. Movie' Scores Huge $31.7 Million, 'Air' Lands $3.2 Million on Opening Day". Variety. Retrieved April 6, 2023.Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.
  22. ↑ "Despicable Me 4 Budget Revealed: It's Reportedly 100 Million". The Hollywood Monday.
  23. ↑ "Despicable Me". Box Office Mojo.
  24. ↑ "Despicable Me (2010)". The Numbers.
  25. ↑ "Hop". Box Office Mojo.
  26. ↑ Finke, Nikki (2013-07-07). "July 4th Global Weekend: 'Despicable Me 2' Giant $293.2M and #1, 'Lone Ranger' Dismal $73.2M For Depp, 'Let Me Explain' $17.3M". (en-US) Deadline.
  27. ↑ "Despicable Me 2 (2013)".. Box Office Mojo.
  28. ↑ "Despicable Me 2 (2013)". The Numbers.
  29. ↑ Szalai, Georg (July 31, 2013). "NBCUniversal CEO: 'Despicable Me 2' Will Be Most Profitable Film in Universal's History". 
  30. ↑ Fleming, Mike (February 11, 2013). "Sandra Bullock To Voice Super-Villain In 'Minions' Spinoff For Illumination/Universal". 
  31. ↑ Busch, Anita (2015-07-13). "'Minions' Is No. 2 Top Animated Opener With $115.7M – Box Office Final". (en-US) Deadline.
  32. ↑ "Minions". Box Office Mojo.
  33. ↑ "Minions (2015)". The Numbers.
  34. ↑ Shaw, Lucas (February 12, 2013). "Universal Dates Mystery Illumination Movie for 2015". 
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 "'Despicable Me 3′ Set For June 2017 Release; 'Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas' Arrives Five Months Later" (January 15, 2014). 
  36. ↑ Serrao, Nivea. "Box Office Report: 'Despicable Me 3' Steals First Place". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2022-09-16.Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.
  37. ↑ "'Spider-Man: Homecoming' Looks to Ensnare $100+ Million Opening". Box Office Mojo. "Despicable Me 3 (4,536 theaters) - $33.3 M"
  38. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2018-11-11). "'The Grinch' Who Stole Business: Dr. Seuss Pic Opening To $66M As 'Overlord' & 'Spider's Web' Wither – Sunday Update". (en-US) Deadline.
  39. ↑ "The Grinch". Box Office Mojo.
  40. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2019-06-09). "Summer Sequelitis Scorches Franchises To B.O. Lows: 'Secret Life Of Pets 2' $47M+, 'Dark Phoenix' Dead At $33M – Worst Debut Ever For 'X-Men' Movie". (en-US) Deadline.
  41. ↑ "The Secret Life of Pets 2". Box Office Mojo.
  42. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2021-12-26). "'Spider-Man: No Way Home' Third-Best Christmas Ever With $31.7M US; Domestic At $467M+ & $1.05B WW – Sunday Update". (en-US) Deadline. "...with only one other event film expected in the long run, that being Illumination/Universal's Sing 2, which is notching a $41M 5-day start."
  43. ↑ "Sing 2 (2021)". The Numbers.
  44. ↑ Busch, Anita (2017-01-26). "Universal Dates 'Sing 2' & 'Minions 2,' Moves 'Secret Life of Pets 2' Back A Year". (en-US) Deadline.
  45. ↑ Tartaglione, Nancy (2020-04-01). "'Minions: The Rise Of Gru', 'Sing 2' Set New 2021 Release Dates; 'Wicked' Still Brewing Slot". (en-US) Deadline.
  46. ↑ Rubin, Rebecca (March 4, 2021). "F9 Postponed for the Third Time, Minions Sequel Pushed to 2022". Variety.
  47. ↑ Rubin, Rebecca (2022-07-03). "Box Office: 'Minions: The Rise of Gru' Shatters July 4th Holiday Records With $125.1 Million Debut". (en-US) Variety.
  48. ↑ "Minions: The Rise of Gru". Box Office Mojo.
  49. ↑ "Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022)". The Numbers.
  50. ↑ Tartaglione, Nancy (April 1, 2020). "'Minions: The Rise Of Gru', 'Sing 2' Set for New 2021 Release Dates; 'Wicked' Still Brewing Slot". Deadline Hollywood.
  51. ↑ Template:Cbignore
  52. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 25, 2022). "'Puss In Boots: The Last Wish' Heads To Christmas Time". Deadline.
  53. ↑ Nash, Bruce (April 9, 2023). "Weekend projections: Mario storms past $200 million in monster 5-day opening". The Numbers.
  54. ↑ Gach, Ethan (April 11, 2023). "Super Mario Bros. Breaks Movie Theatre Sales Records, And Beats Sonic". Kotaku Australia.
  55. ↑ Template:Cite The Numbers
  56. ↑ "The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)". Box Office Mojo.
  57. ↑ 57.0 57.1 Grobar, Matt (February 18, 2022). "Illumination & Universal Set Dates For Animated Films Migration & Despicable Me 4". Deadline Hollywood.
  58. ↑ "Universal Pushes Release Date for Illumination Comedy 'Migration'" (June 28, 2022). 
  59. ↑ Vary, Adam B. (May 19, 2011). "Universal Parks announces new 'Despicable Me' ride, and a major face-lift for 'Spider-Man'", EW.com. 
  60. ↑ Glenn, Brian (April 10, 2019). "The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash! coming to Universal Studios Hollywood in 2020". (en-US) Inside Universal.
  61. ↑ "The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash Ride Opening Date Announced By Universal Studios". (en) Movies.
  62. ↑ "Universal Studios Hollywood and CityWalk close businesses due to coronavirus". (en-US) Daily News (2020-03-17).
  63. ↑ Glenn, Brian (April 8, 2021). "Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash soft opens at Universal Studios Hollywood". (en-US) Inside Universal.
  64. ↑ "Universal Sets Illumination’s ‘Minions 3’ For Independence Day 2027 Frame". (en-US) IMDb.
  65. ↑ "Illumination, Universal Add Four More Animated Films to Slate", Variety (February 2, 2017). 
  66. ↑ "Universal Reserves Several Dates On 2024 Theatrical Release Calendar", Deadline (23 September 2021). 
  67. ↑ "New 'Super Mario Bros.' World Animated Movie in the Works From Illumination, Nintendo". Variety (March 10, 2024).
  68. ↑ "Brian Selznick Book 'Big Tree,' Inspired by a Steven Spielberg and Chris Meledandri Idea, Set for Publication in 2023". The Hollywood Reporter (June 9, 2022).
  69. ↑ Template:Cite podcast
  70. ↑ 70.0 70.1 "'Shrek 5' With Original Cast, Donkey Spinoff With Eddie Murphy, 'Sing 3' and More Teased by Illumination's Chris Meledandri (EXCLUSIVE)". (en-US) Variety (2023-04-04).


Navigation[]

v - e - d
Illumination new logo 2017
Theatrical films
Despicable Me (2010) • Hop (2011) • Dr. Seuss' The Lorax (2012) • Despicable Me 2 (2013) • Minions (2015) • The Secret Life of Pets (2016) • Sing (2016) • Despicable Me 3 (2017) • Dr. Seuss' The Grinch (2018) • The Secret Life of Pets 2 (2019) • Sing 2 (2021) • Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022) • The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) • Migration (2023) • Despicable Me 4 (2024)
Upcoming films
Untitled The Super Mario Bros. Movie sequel (2026) • Minions 3 (2027)
Films in Development
Big Tree • The Secret Life of Pets 3 • Sing 3 (TBA) • Untitled Pharrell Williams film
Short films
Home Makeover (2010) • Orientation Day (2010) • Banana (2010) • Brad & Gary (2011) • Phil's Dance Party (2012) • Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem (2012) • Wagon Ho! (2012) • Forces of Nature (2012) • Serenade (2012) • Puppy (2013) • Panic in the Mailroom (2013) • Training Wheels (2013) • Cro Minion (2015) • Competition (2015) • Binky Nelson Unpacified (2015) • Mower Minions (2016) • Norman Television (2016) • Weenie (2016) • Gunter Babysits (2017) • Love at First Sight (2017) • Eddie's Life Coach (2017) • The Secret Life of Kyle (2017) • Yellow is the New Black (2018) • The Dog Days of Winter (2018) • Santa's Little Helpers (2019) • Minion Scouts (2019) • Super Gidget (2019) • Minions & Monsters (2021) • For Gunter's Eyes Only (2022) • Animal Attraction (2022) • Post Modern Minions (2022) • Mooned (2023) • Fly Hard (2024) • Midnight Mission (2024) • Benny's Birthday (2024) • Game Over & Over (2024)
Characters
Despicable Me: Felonious Gru • Minions • Kevin • Stuart • Bob • Otto • Margo • Edith • Agnes • Lucy Wilde • Dr. Nefario • Marlena Gru • Silas Ramsbottom

Hop: Fred O'Hare • E.B. • Carlos • Phil
Sing: Buster Moon • Rosita • Johnny • Ash • Meena • Gunter • Mike • Eddie Noodleman • Miss Crawly • Nana Noodleman • Porsha Crystal • Clay Calloway • Suki Lane • Nooshy
The Secret Life of Pets: Max • Duke • Snowball • Gidget • Chloe • Mel • Buddy • Sweetpea • Tiberius • Daisy
The Super Mario Bros. Movie: Mario • Luigi • Princess Peach • Toad • Donkey Kong • Bowser
Migration: Mack Mallard • Pam Mallard • Uncle Dan • Dax Mallard • Gwen Mallard • Delroy
Dr. Seuss' The Lorax: The Lorax • The Once-ler • Ted Wiggins • Audrey • Grammy Norma • Mrs. Wiggins • Aloysius O'Hare
Dr. Seuss' The Grinch: The Grinch • Max • Cindy Lou Who

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