First Look
Minions & Monsters arrives in theaters July 1, 2026
The acclaimed voice cast of Minions & Monsters includes Academy Award® winner Allison Janney, two-time Academy Award® winner Christoph Waltz, Academy Award® winner Jeff Bridges, two-time Academy Award® nominee Jesse Eisenberg, Zoey Deutch (Nouvelle Vague) and Academy Award® nominee and comedy iconoclast Trey Parker, co-creator of South Park. The cast also includes Saturday Night Live alum Bobby Moynihan and Phil LaMarr (Futurama, King of the Hill).
Illumination’s Minions & Monsters is directed by Academy Award® nominee Pierre Coffin, a director of the first three Despicable Me films and the first Minions film. Coffin also provides the voice of the Minions in the film, which he has done since the Minions’ film debut in 2010.
Written by Brian Lynch (Minions, The Secret Life of Pets films) and Pierre Coffin, Minions & Monsters is produced by Illumination’s Academy Award® nominated founder and CEO Chris Meledandri, and by Bill Ryan (executive producer, The Super Mario Bros. Movie). The executive producer is Brian Lynch.
In theaters July 1, 2026, Illumination’s Minions & Monsters is the rambunctious, ridiculous and totally true story of how the Minions, led by Dick, conquered Hollywood, became movie stars, lost everything, unleashed monsters onto the world and then banded together to try and save the planet from the mayhem they had just created.
“The Minions have always had a wonderfully subversive spirit and Minions & Monsters delivers a full dose of irreverence and comedic mayhem,” Chris Meledandri says. “Pierre and his Illumination team have brought a level of artistry to the film that has thrilled me all throughout production. The voice cast is filled with exceptional talent. The film’s story is unexpected and delightful, and perhaps the most lovely surprise is how Minions & Monstersserves to honor cinema, its origins, and the comedians who are the original inspiration for these adorable little guys.”
More than 15 years after their creation, the Minions have become the most iconic animated characters of their generation. Globally recognized and beloved by fans of all ages, they have propelled Illumination’s Despicable Me and Minions to a global box office of more than $5.6 billion. The previous Minions film, 2022’s Minions: The Rise of Gru, became a summer blockbuster phenomenon, earning almost $1 billion worldwide.
GAIL DAUGHTRY AND THE CELEBRITY SEX PASS
Synopsis:
Small town hairdresser Gail Daughtry is engaged to her devoted high school sweetheart, Tom. Her life takes a turn when a trip to a book signing leads to Tom meeting – and sleeping – with his “celebrity pass”. Reeling from the betrayal, Gail impulsively joins her friend Otto on a trip to Los Angeles, where a psychic convinces Gail that the only way to save her marriage is to “even the scales” with her own celebrity pass: Jon Hamm. Thus begins an epic journey through Tinseltown as Gail and Otto join forces with a talent agency assistant, a paparazzo, and actor John Slattery, all in the search for Hamm. Along the way, they collide with celebrities and are hunted by a group of Italian assassins as they get ever closer to finding the elusive star.
Directed by: David Wain
Written by: David Wain & Ken Marino
Starring: Zoey Deutch, Jon Hamm, John Slattery, Ken Marino, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Ben Wang, Joe Lo Truglio, and Sabrina Impacciatore
THE ODYSSEY
IN THEATERS JULY 17
Christopher Nolan’s next film, The Odyssey, is a mythic action epic shot across the world using brand new IMAX®film technology. The film brings Homer’s foundational saga to IMAX® film screens for the first time and opens in theaters everywhere on July 17, 2026.
The Odyssey stars Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson and Lupita Nyong’o, with Zendaya and Charlize Theron.
The Odyssey is produced by Emma Thomas and Christopher Nolan for their company, Syncopy. The executive producer is Thomas Hayslip.
Cast: Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson and Lupita Nyong’o, with Zendaya and Charlize Theron
Written and Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Produced by: Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan
Executive Producer: Thomas Hayslip
PINOCCHIO UNSTRUNG
NATIONWIDE THEATRICAL RELEASE JULY 24
Viva Pictures has acquired its latest film, the already viral sensation, Pinocchio Unstrung for theatrical release in North America July 24, 2026. This slasher horror film is the latest in the Twisted Child Universe and stars Robert Englund (A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise), Richard Brake (The Strangers trilogy, TV’s “Mayor of Kingstown”), Jessica Balmer (A Royal Christmas Manor) and Cameron Bell (TV’s “The Silo”).
Having had its world premiere at the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival, the film is directed and written by Rhys Frake-Waterfield and produced by Scott Chambers as part of their Jagged Edge Productions, the team behind Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey.
A chilling reimagining of the familiar fable, Pinocchio Unstrung unfolds inside an elite London prep school. Influenced by a sinister Cricket (Robert Englund) and created by Geppetto (Richard Brake), Pinocchio launches a violent crusade to carve himself into a real boy like his brother James, one piece at a time.
“It’s a bold take on a familiar property, reimagining Pinocchio through a darker, more visceral lens,” said Victor Elizalde, President Viva Pictures. “The horror audience has proven to be one of the most discerning and engaged in theatrical, and we’re proud to bring exhibitors a distinctive title that can cut through and drive attendance.”
Pinocchio Unstrung is 88 minutes and is anticipated to be Rated R.
Hot Spot
In Theaters on August 21st
Synopsis: In Hot Spot, set in a near future society ruled by sentient A.I., a private eye investigates a murder case only to discover a rebel group capable of undermining the digital overlord. As the detective’s identity slowly unravels, his world enters a state of hypnotic meltdown.
Directed By: Agnieszka Smoczyńska
Written By: Robert Bolesto
Producers: Bogna Szewczyk-Skupień, Klaudia Śmieja-Rostworowska, Gregory Jankilevitsch
Executive Producers: Beata Rzeźniczek, Marcin Czernik, Christos V. Konstantakopoulos, Małgorzata Seck, Łukasz Poniński, Marcin Łuczaj, Jan Naszewski
Cast: Andrzej Konopka, Noomi Rapace, Reika Kirishima
FORGOTTEN ISLAND
From the directors of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. Experience DreamWorks FORGOTTEN ISLAND, only in theaters September 25!
DreamWorks Animation, the studio that brought you unforgettable bonds between a boy and a dragon in How to Train Your Dragon, an ogre and a donkey in Shrek, and a robot and a gosling in The Wild Robot, now welcomes a dazzling and emotional story about two lifelong best friends who must come together before they drift apart in Forgotten Island.
The new original film is written and directed by Academy Award® nominee Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado and is produced by Academy Award® nominee Mark Swift, the filmmaking team behind Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.
Grammy and Academy Award® winning supernova H.E.R. and Liza Soberano (Lisa Frankenstein, Alone/Together) star as high school graduates Jo and Raissa, who have been best friends since grade school but are now about to embark on separate life paths.
While celebrating their last night together, Jo and Raissa stumble upon a mysterious portal that transports them to the fantastical island of Nakali, packed with magical and mythological creatures they grew up hearing stories about from their Filipino families.
Some of these figures will become friends, some foes. Joined by well-meaning-but- hapless weredog Raww (Dave Franco) and a small-but-mighty pack of pals, Jo and Raissa must face The Dreaded Manananggal (Tony winning icon Lea Salonga), the most feared creature on the island. When they discover that the memories of their entire friendship are the price for returning home, Jo and Raissa will race to find a way to leave the island before they forget each other forever.
The film’s all-star voice cast also includes Emmy nominee Jenny Slate (Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, Dying for Sex), Manny Jacinto (The Good Place, Top Gun: Maverick), BAFTA nominee Dolly de Leon (Triangle of Sadness,Ghostlight), global comedy superstar Jo Koy (Haunted Mansion, Jo Koy: Live from Brooklyn) and Emmy winner Ronny Chieng (The Daily Show, M3GAN).
DreamWorks Animation’s Forgotten Island is distributed by Universal Pictures.
Genre: Animated Adventure
Starring: H.E.R., Liza Soberano, Dave Franco, Jenny Slate, Manny Jacinto, Dolly de Leon, Jo Koy, Ronny Chieng and Lea Salonga
Written and directed by: Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado
Producer: Mark Swift
NOT ALONE is only in theaters April 2027
For almost 20 years, Illumination has welcomed audiences into a universe of unforgettable characters and stories, including Minions and Despicable Me, the biggest global animated franchise in history, as well as Sing, The Secret Life of Pets, Migration and the record-shattering Super Mario Bros. films. Now, the studio invites you to experience Not Alone, their entirely original new film.
In his first-ever feature-length animated film, four-time Academy Award® nominee and Golden Globe and Actor Award winner Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme, Dune films) stars as Joe, an introverted rocket mechanic who lives a quiet life alone.
Co-starring with Chalamet is Actor Award winner and Emmy and Grammy nominee Selena Gomez (Only Murders in the Building, Emilia Pérez). Selena plays Fran, a brilliant astro-botanist who is developing the world’s first-ever plant-fueled rocket.
When Joe and Fran are brought together to prepare for the inaugural launch of this revolutionary rocket, there are immediate sparks, but neither is particularly adept at romance.
Life becomes more complicated when three aliens—tiny, unruly and adorable—take refuge in Joe’s home. Dunk, Welly and Shirm are on the interplanetary run from a zealous-yet-inept officer of the law named Zandro. The aliens determine that Fran’s rocket could provide their means of getting back home to safety.
The aliens are voiced by renowned British comedic actors Rob Brydon (Barbie, The Trip), Diane Morgan (Cunk On series, Mandy) and Jamie Demetriou (Cruella, Jay Kelly) starring as Dunk, Welly and Shirm, and two-time Emmy winner Brett Goldstein (Ted Lasso, Office Romance) as officer Zandro. The film’s supporting voice includes Oscar winner Allison Janney (Minions & Monsters, The Diplomat) and Emmy winner Lamorne Morris (Fargo, Spider-Noir).
Not Alone is directed by Eric Guillon, the co-director of Despicable Me 3 and the brilliant designer of Despicable Me and Minions, whose storied career at Illumination includes design work on The Secret Life of Pets and Sing films.
Guillon is directing alongside Claire Dodgson (editor of The Lorax, Minions, Despicable Me 3, Minions: The Rise of Gru) and Jonathan Del Val (co-director of Minions: The Rise of Gru and The Secret Life of Pets 2).
The film is produced by Illumination’s founder and CEO Chris Meledandri and executive produced by Joy Poirel, Richard Curtis and David Distenfeld.
Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Selena Gomez, Brett Goldstein, Rob Brydon, Jamie Demetriou, Diane Morgan, Allison Janney, Lamorne Morris
Directed by: Eric Guillon, Claire Dodgson and Jonathan Del Val
Produced by: Chris Meledandri
Executive Producers: Joy Poirel, Richard Curtis and David Distenfeld
SHREK 5
SHREK 5 – IN THEATERS JUNE 30, 2027
Next summer, DreamWorks Animation invites audiences on a thrilling, magical new comedy adventure from one of the most beloved global animated franchises of all time: Shrek 5.
Comedy legends Mike Myers, Oscar® nominee Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz return to their signature roles as Shrek, Donkey and Fiona. Emmy winning superstar Zendaya (The Odyssey, Dune franchise) joins the cast as Shrek and Fiona’s daughter Felicia, along with Marcello Hernandez (Saturday Night Live, Happy Gilmore 2) and Skyler Gisondo (Superman, Booksmart) as Felicia’s brothers, Fergus and Farkle.
Shrek 5 is directed by acclaimed filmmakers and Shrek franchise veterans Conrad Vernon and Walt Dohrn. Vernon was a member of the directing team on the Academy Award® nominated Shrek 2 as well as on DreamWorks Animation’s Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted and Monsters vs. Aliens. Vernon has also provided the voice of Shrek fan-favorite Gingerbread Man, aka “Gingy,” across all titles in the Shrek Universe. Dohrn worked on the second and third Shrek films as a writer and artist and as Head of Story on the fourth film. Dohrn also voiced the character of Rumpelstiltskin in Shrek Forever After. Dohrn served as co-director on the first Trolls film and directed Trolls World Tour and Trolls Band Together.
The film is produced by returning producer Gina Shay (Trolls franchise), who produced Shrek Forever After and by Illumination CEO and Academy Award® nominee Chris Meledandri (the Super Mario, Despicable Me and Minions franchises). The film is co-directed by Brad Ableson (Minions: The Rise of Gru, The Simpsons).
For the past two decades, audiences have been enchanted by the delightful, irreverent adventures of a misunderstood ogre and his ragtag group of roguish fairytale folk, based on the book by acclaimed author William Steig. Beginning in 2001 with Shrek, the winner of the first ever Academy Award® for Best Animated Feature, Shrek, Donkey and Fiona (along with their friends, family and tormentors), have grown into an indelible part of pop culture, reminding audiences around the globe that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
The four Shrek films have earned more than $2.9 billion worldwide, spawning a global live-touring show, an award-winning Broadway musical that earned eight Tony nominations and 12 Drama Desk nominations, plus an immersive, top-tourist destination in London and popular events and attractions across Universal Destinations & Experiences’ theme parks.
Genre: Animated Comedy
Starring: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Zendaya, Marcello Hernandez, Skyler Gisondo
Directed by: Conrad Vernon, Walt Dohrn
Producers: Chris Meledandri, Gina Shay
