What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedDespicable Me
Chris Renaud · Film · 2010
If you loved Despicable Me, start with The Bad Guys (Aaron Blabey) — a book on the same thread. Below: 2 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Despicable Me across media.
What hooked you in Despicable Me was the way high-stakes villainy and secret agendas inevitably soften into heartwarming, unconventional family dynamics.
Books on the same thread
The Bad Guys
Aaron Blabey · Book
Explores: Redemption, Unlikely friendships, Subverting tropes.
Just like the transformative journey of Gru in Despicable Me, this story explores the humorous redemption of notorious outcasts who find unexpected purpose through their new, unlikely friendships.
The Tale of Despereaux
Kate DiCamillo · Book · 2019
Explores: Courage, Love, Good vs Evil.
If the emotional core of Despicable Me resonated with you, you will appreciate this tale of an outcast finding his place through courage and love in a world of obstacles.
Series on the same thread
Invincible
Series · 2021
Explores: Father-Son Relationship, Superhero Legacy, Brutal Superhero.
This show mirrors the superhero deconstruction found in Despicable Me, focusing on the complex bond between a powerful father figure and his child within an extraordinary, high-stakes environment.
SPY x FAMILY
Series · 2022
Shares a thread with Despicable Me: Found Family.
You will recognize the charming chaos of Despicable Me here, as a group of individuals with secret, professional identities form a makeshift family that feels surprisingly real and endearing.
Ben 10
Duncan Rouleau · Series · 2005
Explores: transformation, coming of age, responsibility.
Much like the evolution of Gru in Despicable Me, Ben learns that wielding power requires a shift in perspective toward responsibility, growth, and protecting those who matter most.
My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic
Lauren Faust · Series · 2010
Explores: Friendship, Magic, Teamwork.
The emphasis on building a supportive community seen in Despicable Me is captured here, as a group of distinct personalities discovers that their differences are their greatest collective strength.
Podcasts on the same thread
My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
Exactly Right and iHeartPodcasts · Podcast · 2026
Explores: mental health awareness, female friendship, coping mechanisms.
If you enjoyed the humorous, character-driven banter of Despicable Me, you will connect with this podcast's focus on the deep, supportive bonds of friendship amidst dark and complex subject matter.
Crime Junkie
Audiochuck · Podcast · 2026
Explores: justice seeking, obsession, societal impact.
If the investigative spirit of Gru in Despicable Me kept you watching, you will thrive on the relentless pursuit of truth and discovery presented in these compelling narrative mysteries.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Despicable Me about a villain who changes his ways?
Yes, Despicable Me follows Gru, a supervillain who initially plans to use three orphaned girls to help him steal the moon. As he bonds with Margo, Edith, and Agnes, his cold exterior melts and he learns that his family is more important than his quest for infamy.
What is the main goal of Gru in Despicable Me?
In Despicable Me, the supervillain Gru is determined to prove he is the greatest villain of all time by successfully stealing the moon. He adopts three orphaned girls as part of his plan, but his priorities shift as he grows to care for them throughout the movie.
Does Despicable Me feature a character who adopts three girls?
Yes, Despicable Me centers on Gru, a supervillain who adopts three orphaned girls named Margo, Edith, and Agnes. While he originally intends to use them as part of a scheme to steal the moon, he eventually discovers that love and family are more meaningful than his villainous goals.
What happens to Gru by the end of Despicable Me?
By the end of Despicable Me, Gru undergoes a significant transformation. After bonding with the three orphaned girls he adopted for a scheme, his cold, villainous exterior melts away, leading him to realize that his newfound family matters far more than his original mission to steal the moon.