Illumination
Corporate brand
UnclaimedAmerican animation studio known for Despicable Me, Minions, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
Last updated October 29, 2026
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Overview
Illumination (formerly Illumination Entertainment) is an American animation studio founded in 2007 by producer Chris Meledandri, based in Santa Monica, California. It operates under an exclusive financing and distribution partnership with Universal Pictures, a division of Comcast's NBCUniversal, producing films as an independent contractor while Universal finances and distributes them. The studio is best known for the Despicable Me, The Secret Life of Pets, and Sing franchises, as well as adaptations of Dr. Seuss books and Nintendo video games. Its mascots are the Minions. Illumination has produced 17 feature films with an average gross of $651 million per film, and two of its films—Minions (2015) and The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)—rank among the 50 highest-grossing films of all time. The studio outsources animation production, primarily to its subsidiary Illumination Studios Paris (formerly Illumination Mac Guff), and maintains a low-cost model with typical budgets of $60–80 million.
History
Illumination was founded in 2007 by Chris Meledandri, who left his role as President of 20th Century Fox Animation and Blue Sky Studios earlier that year. After his departure, he founded an initially unnamed company and announced a deal positioning his studio as Universal's family entertainment arm, producing one to two films per year starting in 2010. Under the arrangement, Meledandri's unit retained creative control while Universal Pictures exclusively distributed the films. In March 2008, the studio revealed its name as Illumination Entertainment. In 2011, Illumination acquired the animation department of French studio Mac Guff, which had animated Despicable Me and The Lorax, forming Illumination Mac Guff (later Illumination Studios Paris). On August 22, 2016, NBCUniversal acquired DreamWorks Animation, fueling speculation that Meledandri would oversee both studios; he declined the offer and instead became a consultant for DreamWorks. In February 2017, Illumination appointed former Jim Henson Company executive Peter Schube as COO, replacing Natalie Fischer. On September 23, 2022, Illumination announced the hiring of former Netflix head of adult animation Mike Moon as senior creative advisor and the launch of a new label, Moonlight, aimed at producing animated films beyond the family genre. Moon left in July 2024 to join Sony Pictures Animation, leaving the division's status unknown. The studio's first film, Despicable Me, was released on July 9, 2010, and was a commercial success. Illumination has since produced 17 feature films, including the Despicable Me, Minions, Sing, and The Secret Life of Pets franchises, as well as adaptations of Dr. Seuss books and Nintendo video games. Its films are typically budgeted between $60–80 million, reflecting a low-cost model. The studio outsources animation production, primarily to Illumination Studios Paris.
Chris Meledandri founds the studio after leaving 20th Century Fox Animation.
Studio name revealed as Illumination Entertainment.
Release of first film, Despicable Me.
Acquisition of Mac Guff animation department, forming Illumination Mac Guff.
Release of Minions, which becomes one of the 50 highest-grossing films of all time.
NBCUniversal acquires DreamWorks Animation; Meledandri declines oversight role.
Peter Schube appointed COO.
Announcement of Moonlight label and hiring of Mike Moon.
Release of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, achieving highest-grossing opening for an animated film.
Mike Moon leaves Illumination for Sony Pictures Animation.
Products and positioning
Family-friendly, cost-efficient animated blockbusters with global franchise appeal.
2010
Despicable Me
First film, directed by Chris Renaud and Pierre Coffin.
2011
Hop
Live-action/animated hybrid directed by Tim Hill.
2012
The Lorax
Adaptation of Dr. Seuss book, directed by Chris Renaud.
2015
Minions
Spin-off prequel to Despicable Me.
2016
The Secret Life of Pets
Animated comedy film.
2016
Sing
Animated musical comedy.
2023
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Adaptation of Nintendo video game franchise.
2026
Minions & Monsters
Latest film released July 1, 2026.
Recent events
Reported
illumynt launches proprietary technology platform Talorem[2]
illumynt, a technology-driven lifecycle management company serving AI infrastructure, hyperscale data centers, OEMs and enterprise environments, announced the launch of Talorem, its proprietary technology platform for engineering-grade testing, refurbishment, recovery, grading and asset intelligence across the lifecycle of advanced computing assets. The company stated the platform is designed to deliver faster intake, more precise grading and higher recovery value.
Reported
illumynt appoints Matt Popieniuck as VP of Customer Success and Delivery[3]
illumynt announced that Matt Popieniuck, a 28-year Dell Technologies veteran, joined the company as Vice President of Customer Success and Delivery, effective August 2026, reporting to CEO Jörg Herbarth.
Sources3 sources
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