Some theaters have embraced the phenomenon as good, innocent fun that helped the animated children’s film break US box office records with its massive July 4th opening weekend. But others, especially in the UK, say rowdy, misbehaving teenagers have forced them to close screenings of the film or turn away anyone in a suit and tie. “When it was just a fancy dress idea, we were really excited. We thought it would be a lot of fun,” Daniel Philips-Smith, director of the Mallard Cinema in Guernsey, UK, told As It Happens guest host Ginella Massa. “But once they were in their seats and the movie started, it became a completely different story, unfortunately. The behavior went downhill very quickly.”

Tens of thousands of videos on TikTok feature groups of young, mostly teenage boys appearing at screenings of Minions: The Rise of Gru rocking suits and sunglasses and sometimes carrying bananas, a reference to the beloved film franchise they grew up with. In the vast majority of these videos, the groups attend screenings without incident — in some cases holding doors for moviegoers and shaking hands with theater staff, all in the guise of their “gentleminion” characters. But a handful of videos show teenagers getting into trouble at screenings, in some cases being escorted out of the cinema by management or police. As It Happens has reached out to several people who appeared in these videos, but none responded to a request for comment. Universal Studios also did not respond to a request for comment. But the company acknowledged the trend several times on Twitter, including a post on July 1 that said: “To everyone who appears on @Minions in costume: we see you and love you.”

“A weekend of costumes, fun and fandom” in Canada

In Canada, the trend hasn’t caused any problems, according to Cineplex Entertainment, which operates dozens of movie theaters across the country. “As you can imagine, costumed guests arriving for the big movie launch is something we’re used to, but what we saw this weekend was something truly unique and special,” Cineplex spokeswoman Sarah Van Lange told an email. “While I can’t give you a confirmed number, it would be safe to say that thousands of Canadians tuned in this weekend to enjoy the film on the big screen.” Lange says Cineplex has had no reports of security incidents related to the phenomenon — just “a weekend of costumes, fun and fandom.” But this did not happen everywhere. Philips-Smith says large groups of TikTokkers stop every weekend to see Minions: The Rise of Gru at the Mallard Cinema, the only cinema on Guernsey, an island in the English Channel. “At first it was stuff you’d normally expect from high-spirited kids. They were excited, glued to their phones, talking a lot, cheering. But once the movie [started], they did not stop, they did not settle. It just got stronger and stronger. They started throwing things at each other, throwing things past our regular customers, the previous families were sitting there with the kids,” he said. “The language was disgusting and very offensive, especially again, to the younger children in the audience. And when the staff tried to calm them down, it just seemed to antagonize them more. And the staff were even abused.” Daniel Philips-Smith is the manager of the Mallard cinema in Guernsey, an island in the English Channel. (Submitted by Daniel Philips-Smith) Mallard Cinema briefly responded by halting all screenings of the film. He has since started showing the film again, but only sells tickets at the door so he can keep track of who shows up. “We need to, at least temporarily, put a blanket ban on anyone coming in dressed that is obviously dressed for, you know, the TikTok trend,” Philips-Smith said. And they are not alone. Odeon Theaters told Newsweek had to “restrict access” to the film in some of its UK theaters “due to a small number of incidents in our cinemas over the weekend”. And the Regal cinema in Wadebridge, Cornwall, posted on social media that it would no longer admit “unaccompanied children in costume” to the film. Philips-Smith says he believes the trend started with good intentions — young people expressing their passion for a franchise that’s been in their lives since they were kids. But growing up, he says he’s been teased by people who just want to trick and cause trouble. “I just think it’s very short-sighted and immature and very, very selfish,” he said. “Just for a few seconds of laughter, they’re hurting our business, you know, the only movie theater on the island available to them. But they’re also ruining the experience for all the families who come to enjoy the movie for real reasons.” Written by Sheena Goodyear. Interview with Daniel Philips-Smith produced by Arman Agbali.