The following contains spoilers for Despicable Me 4, now playing in theater

Despicable Me 4 is the latest entry in the animated franchise, bringing Gru and his family together for a happy ending even as it sets the stage for the future. the film largely focuses on Gru and his family going into Anti-Villain League witness protection after the villainous Maxime Le Mal vows vengeance against Gru. Despicable Me 4‘s story ends up diverging into several different plotlines. Some are goofy, but the primary focus remains with Gru as he struggles to balance his infant son Gru Jr., being blackmailed by wannabee villain Poppy Prescot, and remaining ahead of Maxime’s revenge attempt.

The sixth overall entry in the Despicable Me franchise, Despicable Me 4‘s characters end the film together, celebrating and reaffirming themes of the series as a whole. It’s a sweet reflection of the series as a whole, featuring plenty of cameos from old characters while highlighting just how much Gru has changed over the course of the series. While it sets up a potential means for setting up new and returning foes for Gru to face off with in future films, it offers a uniquely happy place to end his story and allows the franchise to expand into other directions.

Gru Gets His Happy Ending In Despicable Me 4

Gru’s Family Picnic Feels Like A Natural Happy Ending

The ending of Despicable Me 4 closes out on a definitive good note for Gru and his family, and quietly works as a perfect ending point for the character. After defeating Will Ferell’s Despicable Me villain Maxime Le Mal, Gru and his family are able to return to their old lives and reunite with family. This sets up a joyous family picnic that closes out the film, featuring Gru, Lucy, the kids, and the Minions, as well as cameos from Dr. Nefario, Gru’s mother Marlena, and his brother Dru. It’s a sweet moment that highlights how far Gru has come.

It also showcases the scope of the series’ cast. In the first film, Gru was an over-confident villain with little concern for anyone else. As the films have continued, the Despicable Me franchise has seen him open up emotionally and create important relationships. Across the series, Gru has become an adopted father, a dedicated husband, and even a genuine hero. Despicable Me 4 even makes him a mentor to Poppy Prescott. All of this underscores the themes of the series as a whole, which have focused on how someone can become far better when they embrace love in their life.

Despicable Me 4’s Ending Brings Back Previous Franchise Villains

How A Prison Talent Show Brings Back Lots Every Previous Major Villain

Before the picnic with his film, Despicable Me 4 reveals Gru visited an Anti-Villain League prison to speak with Maxime. Their rivalry remains, but Gru’s weak apology for their high school conflict sets up a new prison talent show. This suggests their conflict has deescalated from the nearly lethal heights of the film’s climax. This also sets up a franchise-wide series of cameos. While engaged in a dueling duet of “Everyone Wants To Rule The World,” Gru and Maxime attract the attention of every other major Despicable Me series villain. Notably, none seem to hold a particular grudge against Gru.

At first, it’s Despicable Me‘s Vector, Despicable Me 2‘s El Macho, and Despicable Me 3‘s Balthazar Bratt, all revealed to be in the audience of the prison talent show watching the musical competition between Gru and Maxime. Over the course of the song, the villains from the Minions spin-off films step out of their cells to also watch. This includes Scarlet and Herb Overkill from Minions, as well as five members of the Vicious Six from Minions: The Rise of Gru. It’s a fun way to reference the 13-year-old franchise’s scope and tie in previous stories to the new film.

How Despicable Me 4 Sets Up The Franchise’s Future

Despicable Me 4 Sets Up A Massive Villain Team-Up & Some New Potential Spin-Offs

Despicable Me 4 does quietly feel like a solid ending, with the expanded cast of the franchise all joining Gru in a celebration of the life he’s built for himself. However, there are a number of potential directions the series could take going forward, even if it wants to move beyond Gru. The Minions working with the Anti-Villain League (particularly the super-powered Mega-Minions) could set up other adventures for the little yellow goofballs. Poppy’s acceptance into Gru’s villainous alma mater Lycee Pas Bon School of Villainy could introduce a fresh corner of the world and a new generation of characters.

The reveal that all of Gru’s old foes are being held in the same prison could be used as the impetus for a big villainous team-up in a prospective sequel. The sheer star-power associated with the characters that have fought Gru over the years might make bringing all of them back for major roles difficult, but recasting the roles or choosing a handful to focus on could allow for some fun rematches against Gru. The prison setting could even be a great way to introduce other dangerous new enemies who can go against Gru in any prospective Despicable Me 5.

The Real Meaning Of Despicable Me 4’s Ending

Despicable Me 4‘s Ending Reaffirms The Family-Heavy Themes Of The Franchise

Despicable Me 4 reinforces the central themes of the entire franchise, highlighting the growth that Gru has gone through. Although Gru isn’t a villain anymore, Despicable Me 4 underscores Gru’s history as a bad guy. Poppy recognizes him for his past crimes, and even as an AVL agent he remains a vain figure. However, he’s proven to be a dependable father, a loving husband, and a genuinely committed hero. All of that is because of the love that he’s established with those around him. It’s that same love he imparts on Gru Jr. and what ends up saving his life.

Gru Jr. proves able to resist Maxime’s mind-control because of his love for his father, which serves as the big emotional turn in the film’s climax. Despicable Me 4 ending, similar to other finales in the Despicable Me franchise, is a celebration of the unlikely family that’s grown around Gru. It proves how far he’s come, a far cry from what the Gru of Despicable Me‘s opening. The ending of Despicable Me 4 highlights how much more fulfilled Gru is with a family, underscoring the importance of having one regardless of blood connections, age differences, or even across different species.