If you loved
Despicable Me
Chris Renaud · Film · 2010
What hooked you in Despicable Me was the heartwarming way that unconventional, villainous figures find unexpected purpose through their growing families.
Books on the same thread
Dog Man: For Whom the Ball Rolls: From the Creator of Captain Underpants (Dog Man #7)
Dav Pilkey · Book · 2019
Just like Gru in Despicable Me, Petey the Cat undergoes a redemptive transformation that proves even the most mischievous villains can change their ways for the better.
Captain Underpants
Dav Pilkey · Book · 1997
Fans of the slapstick humor in Despicable Me will appreciate how this story uses ridiculous superhero tropes and chaotic hijinks to create a truly hilarious reading experience.
I Love You to the Moon and Back
Amelia Hepworth · Book · 2015
If the emotional bond between Gru and his adopted daughters was your favorite part of Despicable Me, this book perfectly captures that same tender parent-child love.
Dog Man: Big Jim Begins: A Graphic Novel (Dog Man #13): From the Creator of Captain Underpants
Dav Pilkey · Book · 2024
This graphic novel shares the same spirit of good versus evil found in Despicable Me, focusing on how even unlikely characters can join forces to protect their city.
Series on the same thread
Ben 10: Alien Force
Duncan Rouleau · Series · 2008
Much like the evolution of Gru in Despicable Me, this show explores the coming-of-age journey of a hero who must embrace responsibility while balancing his unique, super-powered identity.
SPY x FAMILY
Series · 2022
This series mirrors the found family dynamic of Despicable Me, showing how a group of individuals with secret, complicated lives slowly learn to rely on each other.
Ben 10
Duncan Rouleau · Series · 2005
Similar to the way Gru discovers his heroic potential in Despicable Me, this show follows a protagonist who gains special abilities and realizes his duty to help others.
Solar Opposites
Mike McMahan · Series · 2020
While more adult in tone, this story echoes the fish-out-of-water premise of Despicable Me by centering on a dysfunctional alien family trying to navigate life on Earth.
Podcasts on the same thread
Story Pirates
Story Pirates · Podcast · 2026
If you enjoyed the imaginative play and humor in Despicable Me, you will appreciate how this podcast turns creative childhood ideas into a fun and collaborative experience.
Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend
Team Coco & Earwolf · Podcast · 2026
Conan O’Brien shares the same self-deprecating humor that made Gru so endearing in Despicable Me, making this the perfect listen for those who enjoy character-driven comedy.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Despicable Me about a villain?
Yes, Despicable Me follows Gru, a supervillain who is determined to prove he is the greatest by stealing the Moon. Throughout the story, he attempts to use three orphaned girls for his scheme before his priorities shift toward family.
What is the main goal of Gru in Despicable Me?
In Despicable Me, Gru is a supervillain whose primary objective is to steal the Moon. He adopts three orphaned girls named Margo, Edith, and Agnes specifically to help him pull off this plan, though his motivations change as he bonds with them.
Does Gru stay a villain throughout Despicable Me?
No, Gru does not remain a cold villain throughout Despicable Me. As he spends time with the three orphaned girls he adopted, his villainous exterior begins to melt, leading him to realize that love and family are more important than his quest for infamy.
Who are the children that Gru adopts in Despicable Me?
In Despicable Me, the three orphaned girls that Gru adopts are named Margo, Edith, and Agnes. He initially brings them into his home intending to use them as part of his scheme to steal the Moon, but he eventually forms a genuine bond with them.