Illumination, a privately owned animation studio based in the US and operating as a division of Universal Pictures, also maintains its subsidiary Illumination Studios Paris. Founded on January 17, 2007, by Chris Meledandri, the company employs approximately 310 individuals. Functioning as an animation and post-production studio, Illumination is responsible for popular franchises including Despicable Me, The Secret Life of Pets, and Sing. The studio has also produced adaptations of Dr. Seuss' books such as The Lorax and How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and has ventured into adaptations of Nintendo video games, beginning with The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Chris Meledandri produces the studio's films, which Universal finances and distributes. Characters from the Despicable Me series, the Minions, are prominently associated with the studio.
Illumination and Universal's "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" accumulated $59 million at the box office within two days of its April 2026 theatrical release, marking the best Wednesday opening in April despite mixed critical and fan reception. Previously, on March 18, 2026, the studio announced "Minions & Monsters," a spin-off of the "Despicable Me" franchise, scheduled for release on July 1, 2026. The "Despicable Me" saga has grossed nearly $5.5 billion worldwide across its six previous installments. Earlier, on September 14, 2025, Illumination Entertainment and Nintendo officially announced "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" would release in April 2026, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the original Super Mario Bros. video game. On September 11, 2025, Brian Tyler was confirmed to return as the score composer for the animated sequel.
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