Megamind
A supervillain creates a hero, then must save the city.
Megamind is a 2010 American animated superhero comedy from DreamWorks Animation. Tom McGrath directed it, and the voice cast includes Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Jonah Hill, David Cross, and Brad Pitt. The plot follows Megamind (voiced by Ferrell), a brilliant alien supervillain. After finally defeating his longtime rival Metro Man (Pitt), he creates a new superhero (Hill) to oppose him. However, when that creation turns evil, Megamind must step up to save the city.
The film premiered in Russia on October 28, 2010, and came out in the United States on November 5 through Paramount Pictures. Critics generally gave it positive reviews, and it earned $322 million worldwide against a $130 million budget. Over the years after its release, it built a cult following thanks to various internet memes.
The movie launched a franchise, which includes three video games and a short film called *Megamind: The Button of Doom* that was packaged with home media releases. A sequel, *Megamind vs. the Doom Syndicate*, and a TV series, *Megamind Rules!*, both premiered on Peacock in 2024.
**Plot**
The supervillain Megamind and his opposite, the superhero Metro Man, are aliens from different species. Both were sent to Earth as babies just before a black hole destroyed their home planets. They land in Metro City at the same time, but Metro Man grows up in a wealthy mansion while Megamind is raised in a prison. At school, Metro Man is popular, but Megamind is bullied relentlessly until he snaps, starting a lifelong rivalry.
For years, Megamind and his fish-like assistant and best friend Minion repeatedly fail to take over the city by fighting Metro Man. On the day of the new Metro Man Museum’s grand opening, Megamind escapes prison, kidnaps news reporter Roxanne Ritchi, and lures Metro Man to an abandoned observatory to rescue her. There, Megamind hits him with a sun-powered death ray. Metro Man cannot escape because the copper-lined observatory roof weakens his powers. Overjoyed, Megamind takes over the city and goes on a crime spree, but soon grows depressed and aimless without Metro Man to oppose.
To forget the hero, Megamind decides to blow up the Metro Man Museum, but sees Roxanne inside. As he runs, he accidentally dehydrates the museum’s curator, Bernard, turning him into a small cube. Disguised as Bernard using hologram technology, Megamind talks to Roxanne. Her comments in
- Release year
- 2010
- Director
- Tom McGrath
- Production company
- DreamWorks Animation
- Distributor
- Paramount Pictures
- Budget
- $130 million
- Box office
- $322 million
- Genre
- Animated superhero comedy
Lore & Background
The film follows Megamind, a blue-skinned alien supervillain, and his fish-like assistant Minion as they battle the superhero Metro Man. After apparently killing Metro Man, Megamind takes over the city but becomes depressed without an opponent. He creates a new superhero, Hal Stewart, who becomes the villain Tighten. Megamind must then stop Tighten and eventually becomes the city's hero.
Reader's Guide
Megamind received generally positive reviews from critics and grossed $322 million against a $130 million budget. In the years following its release, the film gained a cult following via a variety of Internet memes. The film later spawned a franchise, including a trio of video games and a short film, Megamind: The Button of Doom. A sequel, Megamind vs. the Doom Syndicate, and a follow-up television series, Megamind Rules!, premiered on Peacock in 2024.
Did You Know?
- The film was originally titled Master Mind, then Oobermind.
- Ben Stiller was originally suggested for the role of Megamind, but was instead cast as Bernard.
- Guillermo del Toro served as a creative consultant and suggested the opening scene where Megamind falls to his apparent death.
- The home release commentary notes that Megamind's costume and showmanship are purposely evocative of Alice Cooper.
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