Despicable Me 2 is a 2013 American animated comedy film produced by Illumination Entertainment and distributed by Universal Pictures.[1][2] The sequel to Despicable Me (2010),[3] it was directed by Chris Renaud and Pierre Coffin, and written by Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio. Despicable Me 2 stars the voices of Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Benjamin Bratt, Miranda Cosgrove, Russell Brand, and Ken Jeong.[2] In the film, secret agent Lucy Wilde (Wiig) recruits retired supervillain Gru (Carell) to investigate the theft of a powerful mutagen by El Macho (Bratt)—a supervillain who pursues world domination.[4]
Despicable Me 2 debuted in Australia on June 5, 2013,[5] and was released in the United States on July 3.[6] Produced on a budget of $76 million,[7] Despicable Me 2 grossed $970.8 million worldwide,[8] finishing its theatrical run as the third-highest-grossing film of 2013.[9] On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 75% based on 185 reviews.[10]
Despicable Me 2 garnered awards and nominations in various categories. It received two nominations at the 86th Academy Awards, including Best Animated Feature. The film won one of ten nominations at the 41st Annie Awards. At the 66th British Academy Film Awards, Despicable Me 2 was nominated for Best Animated Film. It received two nominations at the 19th Critics' Choice Awards. The film was nominated for Best Animated Feature Film at the 71st Golden Globe Awards.