50 Movies Like Despicable Me 2 (2013) You Need to Watch Next
Updated August 2026
View Despicable Me 2 details →This 2013 animated comedy continues the family-friendly adventures of reformed villain Gru, now recruited by the Anti-Villain League to hunt down a powerful new super criminal. Pierre Coffin's sequel keeps the franchise's brisk gag rhythm, mixing spy-caper plotting with domestic warmth as Gru juggles the mission alongside fatherhood and, inevitably, his chaos-loving Minions. Bright, fast and built around slapstick set pieces, it aims squarely at kids while tucking in enough sly asides to keep parents amused. It suits households looking for undemanding, good-natured entertainment with recognizable characters and a tidy comic pace. Viewers wanting narrative surprise or emotional depth beyond the first film's template will find it pleasant but familiar.
If you loved Despicable Me 2 (2013) by Pierre Coffin, here are 50 movies that share its content DNA. iRankMovies measures real similarity using cosine similarity across eight weighted dimensions — genre (50%), tone (12%), pace (10%), structure (8%), era (7%), theme (6%), audience (4%) and narrative perspective (3%) — not just the rating. The closest matches according to our analysis are The Emoji Movie, The Simpsons Movie, Chicken Run. Every title is ranked by how closely it matches and backed by the iRank Score, a composite of IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic and TMDb across 12,000+ analysed titles.
The Best Movies Similar to Despicable Me 2
Selected for their real similarity in content, these are the movies that share the most with Despicable Me 2 in terms of theme, narrative tone, and cinematic style. Every recommendation goes beyond genre — we evaluate the type of conflict, pacing, dramatic context, and the experience they create for viewers.
The Emoji Movie
2017 · Tony Leondis
Gene, a multi-expressional emoji, sets out on a journey to become a normal emoji.
In common: Animation · Comedy · Family
The Simpsons Movie
2007 · David Silverman
After Homer accidentally pollutes the town's water supply, Springfield is encased in a gigantic dome by the EPA and the Simpsons are declared fugitives.
In common: Animation · Comedy · Family
Chicken Run
2000 · Nick Park
The creators of Wallace & Gromit bring you an exciting and original story about a group of chickens determined to fly the coop–even if they can’t fly! It’s hardly poultry in motion when Rocky attempts
In common: Animation · Comedy · Family
Surf's Up
2007 · Ash Brannon
With a documentary crew in tow, Cody Maverick—a young surfer from Antarctica—travels to the pacific for his first professional competition. Determined to earn respect and live up to his idol, Big Z, C
In common: Animation · Comedy · Family
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2
2013 · Kris Pearn
After the disastrous food storm in the first film, Flint and his friends are forced to leave the town. Flint accepts the invitation from his idol Chester V to join The Live Corp Company, which has bee
In common: Animation · Comedy · Family
Tom & Jerry
2021 · Tim Story
Tom the cat and Jerry the mouse get kicked out of their home and relocate to a fancy New York hotel, where a scrappy employee named Kayla will lose her job if she can’t evict Jerry before a high-class
In common: Animation · Comedy · Family
Hop
2011 · Tim Hill
E.B., the Easter Bunny's teenage son, heads to Hollywood, determined to become a drummer in a rock 'n' roll band. In L.A., he's taken in by Fred after the out-of-work slacker hits E.B. with his car.
In common: Animation · Comedy · Family
Happy Feet
2006 · George Miller
Into the world of the Emperor Penguins, who find their soul mates through song, a penguin is born who cannot sing. But he can tap dance something fierce!
In common: Animation · Comedy · Family
Antz
1998 · Eric Darnell
A neurotic worker ant in love with a rebellious princess rises to unlikely stardom when he switches places with a soldier. Signing up to march in a parade, he ends up under the command of a bloodthirs
In common: Animation · Comedy · Family
Barbie as The Princess & the Pauper
2004 · William Lau
In her first animated musical featuring seven original songs, Barbie comes to life in this modern re-telling of a classic tale of mistaken identity and the power of friendship. Based on the story by M
In common: Animation · Comedy · Family
The Peanuts Movie
2015 · Steve Martino
Snoopy embarks upon his greatest mission as he and his team take to the skies to pursue their arch-nemesis, while his best pal Charlie Brown begins his own epic quest.
In common: Animation · Comedy · Family
Klaus
2019 · Sergio Pablos
A selfish postman and a reclusive toymaker form an unlikely friendship, delivering joy to a cold, dark town that desperately needs it.
In common: Animation · Comedy · Family
Barnyard
2006 · Steve Oedekerk
Otis is a mischievous, carefree Holstein cow who lives on a farm where, unbeknownst to humans, the animals are anthropomorphic. He prefers having fun with his best friends: Pip the mouse, Freddy the f
In common: Animation · Comedy · Family
Oliver & Company
1988 · George Scribner
Putting its own 'twist' on the story of Oliver Twist, the orange runt of a litter of kittens must fight for survival on the rough streets on New York City, finding unlikely friends in the dogs owned b
In common: Animation · Comedy · Family
The Tigger Movie
2000 · Jun Falkenstein
Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Owl, Kanga, Roo, and Rabbit are preparing a suitable winter home for Eeyore, the perennially dejected donkey, but Tigger's continual bouncing interrupts their efforts. Rabbit
In common: Animation · Comedy · Family
Kronk's New Groove
2005 · Saul Blinkoff
After his adventures with Kuzco, Kronk opens his own diner, but struggling business and the impending visit from his father push him to hatch a risky plan for success. When the scheme explodes—literal
In common: Animation · Comedy · Family
Frankenweenie
2012 · Tim Burton
When a car hits young Victor's pet dog Sparky, Victor decides to bring him back to life the only way he knows how. But when the bolt-necked "monster" wreaks havoc and terror in the hearts of Victor's
In common: Animation · Comedy · Family
Toy Story 2
1999 · John Lasseter
Andy heads off to Cowboy Camp, leaving his toys to their own devices. Things shift into high gear when an obsessive toy collector named Al McWhiggen, owner of Al's Toy Barn kidnaps Woody. Andy's toys
In common: Animation · Comedy · Family
Toy Story 3
2010 · Lee Unkrich
Woody, Buzz, and the rest of Andy's toys haven't been played with in years. With Andy about to go to college, the gang find themselves accidentally left at a nefarious day care center. The toys must b
In common: Animation · Comedy · Family
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
2009 · Phil Lord
Inventor Flint Lockwood creates a machine that makes clouds rain food, enabling the down-and-out citizens of Chewandswallow to feed themselves. But when the falling food reaches gargantuan proportions
In common: Animation · Comedy · Family
Leo
2023 · Robert Smigel
Jaded 74-year-old reptile Leo has been stuck in the same Florida classroom for decades with his terrarium-mate turtle. When he learns he only has one year left to live, he plans to escape to experienc
In common: Animation · Comedy · Family
South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut
1999 · Trey Parker
In this feature film based on the hit animated series, the third graders of South Park sneak into an R-rated film by ultra-vulgar Canadian television personalities Terrance and Phillip, and emerge wit
In common: Animation · Comedy
Memoir of a Snail
2024 · Adam Elliot
Forcibly separated from her twin brother when they are orphaned, a melancholic misfit learns how to find confidence within herself amid the clutter of misfortunes and everyday life.
In common: Animation · Comedy
Arthur Christmas
2011 · Sarah Smith
For hundreds of years, the Claus family has delegated the title "Santa" to a chosen few of its members, which can be passed down upon retirement. Each Christmas, Santa and his vast army of highly trai
In common: Animation · Comedy
Looney Tunes: Back in Action
2003 · Joe Dante
Fed up with all the attention going to Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck quits Hollywood, teams up with recently-fired stuntman Damien Drake Jr. and embarks on a round-the-world adventure, along with Bugs and Th
In common: Animation · Comedy · Family
GOAT
2026 · Tyree Dillihay
A small goat with big dreams gets a once-in-a-lifetime shot to join the pros and play roarball, a high-intensity, co-ed, full-contact sport dominated by the fastest, fiercest animals in the world.
In common: Animation · Comedy · Family
Sing
2016 · Garth Jennings
A koala named Buster recruits his best friend to help him drum up business for his theater by hosting a singing competition.
In common: Animation · Comedy · Family
Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation
2018 · Genndy Tartakovsky
Dracula, Mavis, Johnny and the rest of the Drac Pack take a vacation on a luxury Monster Cruise Ship, where Dracula falls in love with the ship’s captain, Ericka, who’s secretly a descendant of Abraha
In common: Animation · Comedy · Family
Alvin and the Chipmunks
2007 · Tim Hill
A struggling songwriter named Dave Seville finds success when he comes across a trio of singing chipmunks: mischievous leader Alvin, brainy Simon, and chubby, impressionable Theodore.
In common: Animation · Comedy · Family
Hotel Transylvania 2
2015 · Genndy Tartakovsky
When the old-old-old-fashioned vampire Vlad arrives at the hotel for an impromptu family get-together, Hotel Transylvania is in for a collision of supernatural old-school and modern day cool.
In common: Animation · Comedy · Family
Monster House
2006 · Gil Kenan
Monsters under the bed are scary enough, but what happens when an entire house is out to get you? Three teens aim to find out when they go up against a decrepit neighboring home and unlock its frighte
In common: Animation · Comedy · Family
Shark Tale
2004 · Bibo Bergeron
Oscar is a small fish whose big aspirations often get him into trouble. Meanwhile, Lenny is a great white shark with a surprising secret that no sea creature would guess: He's a vegetarian. When a lie
In common: Animation · Comedy
Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken
2023 · Kirk DeMicco
Ruby Gillman, a sweet and awkward high school student, discovers she's a direct descendant of the warrior kraken queens. The kraken are sworn to protect the oceans of the world against the vain, power
In common: Animation · Comedy · Family
Mulan II
2004 · Darrell Rooney
Fa Mulan gets the surprise of her young life when her love, Captain Li Shang asks for her hand in marriage. Before the two can have their happily ever after, the Emperor assigns them a secret mission,
In common: Animation · Comedy
The Smurfs 2
2013 · Raja Gosnell
The evil wizard Gargamel creates a couple of mischievous Smurf-like creatures called the Naughties that he hopes will let him harness the all-powerful, magical Smurf-essence. But when he discovers tha
In common: Animation · Comedy · Family
The Boxtrolls
2014 · Graham Annable
An orphaned boy raised by underground creatures called Boxtrolls comes up from the sewers and out of his box to save his family and the town from the evil exterminator, Archibald Snatcher.
In common: Animation · Comedy · Family
Ron's Gone Wrong
2021 · Sarah Smith
In a world where walking, talking, digitally connected bots have become children's best friends, an 11-year-old finds that his robot buddy doesn't quite work the same as the others do.
In common: Animation · Comedy · Family
Monsters, Inc.
2001 · Pete Docter
Lovable Sulley and his wisecracking sidekick Mike Wazowski are the top scare team at Monsters, Inc., the scream-processing factory in Monstropolis. When a little girl named Boo wanders into their worl
In common: Animation · Comedy · Family
Ratatouille
2007 · Brad Bird
Remy, a rat, possesses a palate far more refined than that of his fellow comrades. He dreams of becoming a chef, one who creates rather than scavenges. When fate deposits him in the sewers beneath one
In common: Animation · Comedy · Family
Turning Red
2022 · Domee Shi
Thirteen-year-old Mei is experiencing the awkwardness of being a teenager with a twist – when she gets too excited, she transforms into a giant red panda.
In common: Animation · Comedy · Family
Sing 2
2021 · Garth Jennings
Buster and his new cast now have their sights set on debuting a new show at the Crystal Tower Theater in glamorous Redshore City. But with no connections, he and his singers must sneak into the Crysta
In common: Animation · Comedy · Family
Hotel Transylvania
2012 · Genndy Tartakovsky
Welcome to Hotel Transylvania, Dracula's lavish five-stake resort, where monsters and their families can live it up and no humans are allowed. One special weekend, Dracula has invited all his best fri
In common: Animation · Comedy · Family
The Grinch
2018 · Yarrow Cheney
The Grinch hatches a scheme to ruin Christmas when the residents of Whoville plan their annual holiday celebration. But a certain little who might change things.
In common: Animation · Comedy · Family
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
2010 · Thor Freudenthal
Greg Heffley is headed for big things, but first he has to survive the scariest, most humiliating experience of any kid’s life – middle school! That won’t be easy, considering he’s surrounded by hairy
In common: Comedy · Family
Robots
2005 · Chris Wedge
Rodney Copperbottom is a young robot inventor who dreams of making the world a better place, until the evil Ratchet takes over Bigweld Industries. Now, Rodney's dreams – and those of his friends – are
In common: Animation · Comedy · Family
Das Boot
1981 · Wolfgang Petersen
A German submarine hunts allied ships during the Second World War, but it soon becomes the hunted. The crew tries to survive below the surface, while stretching both the boat and themselves to their l
Minions: The Rise of Gru
2022 · Kyle Balda
A fanboy of a supervillain supergroup known as the Vicious 6, Gru hatches a plan to become evil enough to join them, with the backup of his followers, the Minions.
In common: Animation · Comedy
The Lorax
2012 · Chris Renaud
A 12-year-old boy searches for the one thing that will enable him to win the affection of the girl of his dreams. To find it he must discover the story of the Lorax, the grumpy yet charming creature w
In common: Animation · Family
Lilo & Stitch
2002 · Dean DeBlois
As Stitch, a runaway genetic experiment from a faraway planet, wreaks havoc on the Hawaiian Islands, he becomes the mischievous adopted alien "puppy" of an independent little girl named Lilo and learn
In common: Animation · Comedy · Family
Monsters University
2013 · Dan Scanlon
A look at the relationship between Mike and Sulley during their days at Monsters University — when they weren't necessarily the best of friends.
In common: Animation · Family
Popular Animation series
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End
2023 · Kazutaka Yamanaka
After the party of heroes defeated the Demon King, they restored peace to the land and returned to lives of solitude. Generations pass, and the elven mage Frieren comes face to face with humanity’s m
Avatar: The Last Airbender
2005 · Michael Dante DiMartino
In a war-torn world of elemental magic, a young boy reawakens to undertake a dangerous mystic quest to fulfill his destiny as the Avatar, and bring peace to the world.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
2009
Disregard for alchemy’s laws ripped half of Edward Elric’s limbs from his body and left his brother Alphonse’s soul clinging to a suit of armor. To restore what was lost, the brothers seek the Philoso
Attack on Titan
2013 · Manabu Otsuka
100 years ago, the last remnants of humanity were forced to retreat behind the towering walls of a fortified city to escape the massive, man-eating Titans that roamed the land outside their fortress.