20 Best Gru Quotes In Despicable Me & Minions (2024)

Despite having some obvious flaws, Illumination's Despicable Me film franchise has garnered a considerable following, and each film has received great praise, due to the heartwarming sentiment that lies at the core of each film. One driving factor behind the series' continued success is the jaded yet comedic remarks frequently made by its main protagonist, Felonius Gru, who is a villain with a heart of gold.

While Gru wants nothing more than to be the evilest supervillain of all time, the unexpected friendship he forms with three young girls (Margo, Agnes, and Edith) causes him to soften his rough exterior and exposes his kind-hearted, fatherly side. Due to this comedic juxtaposition, many of Gru's quotes have perpetually resonated with viewers as a dynamic aspect of each Despicable Me film (excluding Minions, which was released in 2015 and only features Gru fleetingly).

Updated on July 31, 2024, by Natasha Elder: Despicable Me remains one of the most iconic Illumination franchises due to its beloved characters, not least of which is Gru. His comedic, serious and touching lines have helped build the Despicable Me franchise into what it is today, as well as his character. As such, we chose to examine more of his most memorable quotes and expand on the importance of each line to the overall plot of the franchise and to Gru.

20 "Life Is Just Like That Sometimes."

Despicable Me 3

As this particular line emphasizes, many of Despicable Me's most memorable quotes are impactful because of their ability to be ingrained as hard-hitting social commentary. While many kids' films often sneak in some humor to cater to the parents who were forced to view them alongside their children in theaters, the Despicable Me franchise takes this one step further as they ensure that small quips like these keep parents almost as entertained as their children.

Through this quote in particular, Gru is teaching his youngest adopted daughter Agnes that each person can do their best to make the most out of life — even when it isn't all sunshine, rainbows, and unicorns. She has to ride the crests and troughs of life for it to be worthwhile, and accepting the lows is very important. Despite how poignant this line is, Gru has more hilarious and heartwarming lines throughout the franchise, so this quote remains at the bottom of the list.

19 "Wow, This is Garbage."

Despicable Me

Out of the abounding comedic moments in the first Despicable Me movie, one of the most memorable scenes in the entire film franchise comes when the girls make Gru read them a bedtime story. Although Gru plays along and even takes solace in this bedtime ritual by the end of the film, he does not hesitate to express how dull he finds the girls' favorite story.

This quote is also sure to resonate with parents who recognize how formative these bedtime stories are in their children's development — even if their contents would quickly put them to sleep for all the wrong reasons. This is especially true for parents whose kids latch on to one, specific story that they want repeated every night. This Despicable Me quote also showcases how adamant Gru initially was against dropping his guard around the girls, which makes the film's happy ending even more satisfying.

18 "How Do You Remove Them?"

Despicable Me

Gru doesn't care much for Edith, Agnes, and Margo when he first adopts them, only doing so in order to further his own evil schemes. Uncomfortable with their proximity, Gru, rather hilariously, wonders if there's an easy way for them to be around him, but not invade his personal space. Even so, they are so grateful to be adopted that all three girls cling to him, much to Gru's disdain.

In a hilariously memeable quote, Gru asks if there's any way to get the girls off him, like some sort of spray or command that'll make them listen. It's a great representation of how much Gru grows to love and care for them by the end of the movie, as physical affection no longer bothers him and he actively misses the girls when they're not around. This tender representation was one of the elements that made Despicable Meone of the highest-grossing kids' movies.

17 "That Book Was Accidentally Destroyed Maliciously."

Despicable Me

This line displays Gru's initial hesitations about becoming a fatherly figure for the girls, since he believes that such a bond would distract him from his villainy and diminish his worth as a villain. While Gru is reluctantly accepting his changing priorities, this line shows how Gru intentionally built up a higher guard around the girls; after all, words like "destroyed" and "maliciously" don't exactly communicate empathetic sentiments.

Gru eventually comes around, as his bond with Agnes, Edith and Margo is showcased in later Despicable Me films. Even so, it is interesting to see him before he comes to terms with how important they really are to him. A lot of Gru's quotes also appeal to older audiences, as only a more mature viewer would understand the irony of his statement.

16 "Honey, He's My Brother."

Despicable Me 3

While Gru is no longer an unrepentant villain, he still takes some fun in tormenting others. This Gru quote shows the balance he has achieved between enacting mischief and prioritizing his family above all else. When Gru’s brother, Dru, steals his rocket-powered aircraft and leaves with most of the Minions in his bid to become a supervillain at the end of Despicable Me 3, Gru gives him a five-minute head start instead of immediately becoming angry or chasing after him, giving him lenience due to their familial relationship.

Additionally, as he says this to Lucy, it shows how much he likes playing along with her whims, as well. When the two see Dru take off, she suggests that they go after him. Gru is clearly not opposed to the idea, despite Dru being his brother, and a major help in rescuing his daughters from Bratt. Instead, he takes a playful enjoyment out of the idea, which is no doubt fueled in part by Lucy’s joy at the prospect of taking down another villain.

15 "Sometimes I Eat Instead Of Facing My Problems!"

Despicable Me 2

Undeniably the most iconic moment from Despicable Me 2 centers on Gru as he makes an appearance at Agnes' birthday party as the cutesy fairy princess Gruzinkerbell. Since Agnes is completely unaware that Gruzinkerbell is really Gru in disguise, Gru is forced to maintain his act as he interacts with young partygoers despite the fact that he clearly isn’t happy playing the part.

When one of these children asks him why he is "so fat," Gru does his best to maintain his fairy persona through his rage, resulting in this hilarious quote. This quote is sure to resonate — and perhaps hit a little too close to home — among older viewers. Gru was the average, grumpy Millennial man, as was evidenced by this funny dialogue. Although the humor in this quote is clear, there are more memorable quotes, which is why this line is only at number fifteen on this list.

14 "I'm a Father Now..."

Despicable Me 2

The character arc Gru underwent during the first Despicable Me movie was heartwarming. Watching Gru overcome his villainous tendencies as he truly came to care for Agnes, Edith and Margo was a pleasure. It was also nice to see that this arc remained true in the second Despicable Me film, with Gru not regretting his choice or backsliding into criminal acts.

In fact, this Despicable Me quote demonstrates quite clearly that Gru has been pursuing other, legal avenues of revenue. While it is comedic to think of the ex-supervillain Gru making jams and jellies, it being a stark contrast to his theft of the moon, it also serves to show that he is truly redeemed. Thus, this Gru line is representative of the growth he had undergone in Despicable Me, and how the changes he underwent were not temperorary.

13 "There Are A Lot of Other Villains in The World..."

Minions: The Rise of Gru

Even though many fans can agree that Gru is most compelling as a character after he comes into his role as a father figure toward the end of the first Despicable Me movie, there is something undeniably charming about seeing a young Gru that is so set on becoming the best super villain ever. Seeing the Gru character in his youth, and being as eccentric as his adult life, is quite fun for the audience.

While this sentiment in and of itself is comedic (like the moment when Gru shares what he wants to be when he grows up with his classmates), it is interesting to see Gru so steadfast in his life goals from a young age. In addition, rather than be content with becoming a villain one day, Gru wants nothing more than to be a supervillain — a distinction that remains important across the Despicable Me franchise.

12 "You Told Me That Dad Died Of Disappointment..."

Despicable Me 3

While many long-time fans of the Despicable Me franchise agree that Despicable Me 3 is underwhelming in comparison to the first two films, the movie makes up for it with its zany sense of humor, mixed with tenderness. That sentiment is encapsulated in quotes like this one, where Gru asks his mother about his past, and she tells him a rather tragic story about how the twins were separated because she divorced Gru's father.

Up until that moment, Gru had no idea that he had a twin brother. Gru then earnestly inquires about whether his father "died of disappointment" the day he was born. It is this sentiment's very genuineness that turns a serious scene that was dripping in clichéd tropes into one of the most comedic moments of the film.

11 "These Are Kittens!"

Despicable Me

Gru is now well-known for his love for Edith, Agnes, and Margo, but it definitely took some time before that became the truth. Trying to mix displays of care with progressing his plot to steal the moon, Gru often found himself reading to the three girls before their bedtime. He eventually makes his own book in order to express to the girls how much caring for them has changed him.

When he turns to the second page, there are clearly three kittens that are meant to represent the girls — but when Edith points this out, Gru denies that it is meant to be them. Despite this, the touching story he reads of how much he has grown to love the girls is clearly representative of his true feelings. As he says this quote with a bit of a knowing tone, it is evident he is not even fooling himself by pretending otherwise. This tenderness is one of the reasons that viewers can't help but root for the villainous Gru in Despicable Me.

10 "Just Because Everybody Hates it Doesn't Mean it's Not Good!"

Despicable Me 2

In Despicable Me 2, Dr. Nefario becomes incredibly bored with being good and tries to find ways to entertain himself. One such way is by creating a jam that has every type of berry imaginable infused into it, and it's a complete failure for everyone who tries it. Gru, however, has the best approach towards Nefario's disappointment.

Rather than belittle him, Gru assures him that something can be good even if other people don't like it, which shows how much kinder he is compared to his early, meaner Despicable Me counterpart. It's also a great quote to keep in mind, as people shouldn't feel discouraged even if their creations aren't well-received by others, because the majority are not always right. Given its application in real life, and its place in demonstrating Gru's exceptional character development, it is a quote that has earned its place at the midway point of this list.

9 "Instead Of Tasing People And Kidnapping Them..."

Despicable Me 2

This is another Despicable Me quote that showcases how the creators and writers of the Despicable Me films were incredibly aware of the fact that just as many adults see their movies as children. With the modern-day equivalent of this sentiment ("This could have been an email") remaining as popular as ever, this line continues to ring true today — despite gracing the silver screen almost many years ago.

At this moment, Gru reminds his kidnapper (Silas Ramsbottom, the former boss of Gru's girlfriend Lucy) that workplace etiquette should also apply to hostage situations. It may be a losing battle, but Gru is more than willing to die on this hill. This line also demonstrates how little danger Gru feels that he is in, as he is back-talking the villain instead of worrying about his location.

8 "Don't Worry, I Will Get You Out of This."

Despicable Me 2

Gru undergoes a similar journey in Despicable Me 2 as he does in Despicable Me as he increasingly comes to care for Lucy beyond a professional level. Throughout the film, Agnes, Margo, and Edith are convinced that he is falling for his coworker, which he denies. However, when he learned that she has been kidnapped by El Macho, the villain of the film.

Rushing to save her, Gru battles a mutated El Macho and transfigured Minions in order to enact his rescue. Despite how tightly Lucy is strapped to the rocket, and the fact he has daughters waiting for his return, Gru reassures Lucy that he will not abandon her. This open display of protectiveness stands in stark contrast to his earlier denials about how much he cares for her, and proves his love for his soon-to-be wife.

7 "The Physical Appearance of the Please Makes No Difference."

Despicable Me

Shortly after bringing Margo, Edith, and Agnes into his home, Agnes asks if he can read the three of them a bedtime story. When Gru refuses, Agnes throws in a, "pretty please?" — but this has no effect on Gru, who hasn't yet bonded with the girls. His practicality also leaks through when he responds to Agnes, since he had no experience talking to children.

Once again proving himself to be one of the funniest animated movie characters of all time, Gru tells her no again, telling her that saying please isn't going to change his answer. This quote shows how much growing Gru still has to do before the end of the movie, and just how much he changes as he learns to accept other people into his heart throughout the rest of Despicable Me.

6 "I Don't Go To Little Girls' Dance Recitals!"

Despicable Me

While later films showcase Gru fully embracing his role as the father figure of his adopted daughters, this quote from Despicable Me shows that he was very reluctant to fulfill this role for much of the first movie. In fact, this is one instance that truly displays Gru's worst tendencies. Becoming a parent meant changing himself and his preferences for Agnes, Margo, and Edith, but he wasn't quite there yet, still too wrapped up in his villainous schemes.

This Gru line is especially comedic in consideration of how quickly Gru went back on this sentiment after stealing the moon. Moreover, this moment also marks a pivotal change in Gru as a character, since he realizes how much the three girls mean to him. It is not only his realization of how much his attendance at their dance recital means to them that matters, but also his recognition that he is letting them down by not going.

5 "...You Are in for A World of Pain!"

Despicable Me

When Vector kidnaps Margo, Edith and Agnes in order to blackmail Gru into handing over the moon, it truly puts into perspective for Gru how much he cares for them. Despite stealing the moon being the culmination of his entire career as a supervillain, Gru gave up the moon for the girls. His sacrifice turns out to be in vain, however, as Vector refuses to release the girls. In response, Gru says this threatening line to the other villain.

This Despicable Me quote is a succinct representation of Gru’s remarkable character arc over the course of the film. Soon after, he breaks through Vector’s defenses easily, which also contrasts with his inability to do so earlier in the movie. This quote perfectly captures how Gru’s priorities have shifted, which is why it is number five.

4 "Mom, Someday, I'm Going To The Moon."

Despicable Me

Gru's plan to steal the moon in Despicable Me is comedic at first, but there's a deeper reason why Gru wants to pull off this evil plan specifically than just because he can. As a child, Gru was fascinated by astronauts and space and told his mother he dreamed of going to the moon someday. This flashback offered a small peek into Gru's own childlike attachment to his dreams and his mother, in addition to showing the true reason behind his obsession with the moon.

Gru's mother is wholly unsupporting of Gru’s pronouncement, pejoratively telling her son that he missed his chance and NASA isn't sending monkeys to the moon anymore. Instead of giving up entirely, Gru changes up his plans, and this quote is a powerful reminder to stay faithful to one's dreams even if those around them are unsupportive.

3 "Life Is Full of Disappointments."

Despicable Me

Although this quote is quite simple and straightforward, it gracefully functions as both a fundamental lesson for young viewers and as yet another way for parents to appreciate the grown-up sense of humor that the writers of the Despicable Me movies make sure to engrain within each film. Most adult watchers have, at some point, probably felt the same way as Gru.

While the line in and of itself was said in response to Margo questioning Gru about the repercussions of his own villainy, it is effective since it implicitly pokes fun at other films and TV shows that make life lessons like these the very core of their programming. In the end, Gru was the one who learned the most precious life lessons from his daughters, no matter how many dialogues he made them listen to about life.

2 "Don't Worry, I Will Catch You."

Despicable Me

When Gru first starts caring for Margo, Edith, and Agnes, he doesn't have many fatherly qualities and doesn't seem interested in them. By the end of the movie, though, his heart's been completely changed, and their safety is the most important thing to Gru. His character evolution was the focal point of the movie, and this line conveyed it perfectly.

Near the end of Despicable Me, while trying to get the girls off Vector's airship, Gru tells them to jump to safety. This understandably scares them, but they put their trust in Gru regardless, showcasing how strong the bond between the four of them is and how much they trust each other. This is particularly difficult for Margo who, as the oldest, has been most wary of trusting Gru from the start. When she decides to trust him, it is a heartwarming moment. Ultimately, this line once again proves why Despicable Me is one of Illumination's best films ever.

1 "One Big Unicorn, Strong And Free..."

Despicable Me

Although this quote is only the beginning of a longer monologue, this initial line is incredibly effective since it marks Gru's acceptance of his paternal role and love for his adopted daughters. Since Gru was initially averse to the girls' bedtime stories, the fact that he put considerable effort into not only writing one himself, but also centering it around his adventures with the three girls makes his story even more heartwarming.

Because these three little girls came into his life and "changed his heart," Gru was able to grow as a person and began to realize that having love in his life could never diminish his worth as a supervillain. In fact, his pursuit of fatherhood was greater than his pursuit of villainy. As this sentiment is what forms the basis not only for the plot of Despicable Me, but also for the entire franchise, it is Gru’s best quote.

• 

  Despicable Me (2010)

  When a criminal mastermind uses a trio of orphan girls as pawns for a grand scheme, he finds their love is profoundly changing him for the better.

• 

  Despicable Me 2

  When Gru, the world's most super-bad turned super-dad has been recruited by a team of officials to stop lethal muscle and a host of Gru's own, He has to fight back with new gadgetry, cars, and more minion madness.

• 

  Despicable Me 3

  Gru meets his long-lost, charming, cheerful, and more successful twin brother Dru, who wants to team up with him for one last criminal heist.