Background
Illumination, founded by Chris Meledandri in 2007, is one of the entertainment industry’s leading producers of event-animated films, including Despicable Me—the most successful animated franchise in cinematic history—as well as Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch and The Secret Life of Pets and Sing films. The 2023 release of Illumination's The Super Mario Bros. Movie has joined the studio library, now comprising three of the top 10 animated films of all time. Illumination’s iconic, beloved franchises—infused with memorable and distinct characters, global appeal and cultural relevance—have grossed more than $9 billion worldwide. Illumination has an exclusive financing and distribution partnership with Universal Pictures.
Illumination is based in Santa Monica, CA and its studio, Illumination Studios Paris, is located in the center of Paris, France.
Recent
- September 2024 ‘Despicable Me 4’ Demolishes ‘Minions: The Rise of Gru’s Record at Global Box Office
- July 2024 ‘Minions 3’ Will March Into Theaters in June 2027
- March 2024 Illumination, Nintendo Set New Animated Film Based On World Of Super Mario Bros.
- April 2023 Illumination Founder Chris Meledandri to Receive CinemaCon’s Award of Excellence in Animation
- April 2023 ‘Super Mario Bros. Movie’ Box Office: All the Records Leveled
- March 2023 Illumination Named One of Fast Company's 10 Most Innovative Companies in Film and TV of 2023
- October 2022 ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ Drops Trailer At New York Comic-Con: Mushroom Kingdom, Here We Come
- September 2022 Illumination Teams With Mike Moon To Launch New Label Moonlight
- August 2022 'Minions: The Rise of Gru' Passes $790 Million at the Global Box Office
- July 2022 ‘Minions: The Rise Of Gru’ Propels Illumination’s ‘Despicable Me’ Franchise Past $4B In Global Box Office
- June 2022 Illumination’s Chris Meledandri On Sharing “Pure Joy” Of ‘Minions: The Rise Of Gru’ & Why The Industry Can’t Rely On Old Paradigms To Judge The Future
- March 2022 ILLUMINATION AND UNIVERSAL PICTURES ANNOUNCE "THE SING 2 SING-ALONG EXPERIENCE", CELEBRATING ILLUMINATION'S SING 2
- March 2022 Illumination’s 'Minions: The Rise of Gru' is the Annecy Festival Opener
- September 2021 Illumination and Nintendo Announce Theatrical Release Date and Voice Cast for the Super Mario Bros. Animated Film
- August 2021 Illumination’s Chris Meledandri On Big Screen: Without Theatrical, “Notion Of A Movie May Begin To Slip Away”
- May 2021 Illumination Founder Chris Meledandri Nominated To Join Nintendo Board Of Directors
- December 2020 Halsey, Pharrell, Bono Announced as Cast Members of 'Sing 2'
- November 2018 How Chris Meledandri Became the Most Powerful Man in Animation
- February 2017 Why Illumination is One of the Most Innovative Companies
