#GentleMinions makes moviegoers dress up

A TikTok trend around the release of 'Minions: The Rise of Gru' is inspiring young people around the world to get ready for the movies.

< p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">Normally, when Carson Paskill goes to the movies, he opts for a comfortable outfit consisting of sweatpants and a sweatshirt. But last weekend he showed up in a black suit, white collared shirt and dress shoes.

Mr. Paskill, 20, attended a screening of "Minions: The Rise of Gru" at Century 16 in Beaverton, Oregon on July 2 with eight of his friends, all dressed in costumes for the occasion.

< p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">"Anyone over the age of 25 was, really, really confused about what we were doing there," said Mr Paskill, who has 1.6 million followers on TikTok. "Like, 'why is everyone wearing suits?'"

@carsonpaskill #gentleminions #riseofgru @minions ♬ Rich Minion - Yeat

Inspiration is a TikTok trend known as #GentleMinions, which has amassed over 61 million views on the platform. He encourages "Minions" moviegoers to film themselves as they dress up in costumes and sunglasses to attend screenings of the latest installment in the "Despicable Me" series.

You might be wondering, why suits? The precise answer is elusive. Participants are also encouraged to accessorize with bananas, a Minion's favorite snack, or hold their hands in a steeple pose, Gru's signature pose.

The first "Despicable Me" movie was released in 2010, introducing audiences to Minions, the chaotic yellow jumpsuit-clad characters who talk gibberish, and Gru, the villainous main character voiced by Steve Carell. It was followed by four more films, "Despicable Me 2" in 2013, a spin-off "Minions" in 2015, and "Despicable Me 3" in 2017. ("Despicable Me 4" is scheduled for release in 2024.)

ImageGru, center, voiced by Steve Carell in "Minions: The Rise of Gru".Credit. ..Everett Collection

For 19-year-old Obie Ike and other Gen Zers, movies have become an integral feature of his childhood. So when he found out there would be another, he knew he had to go see it out of "pure nostalgia".

Mr. Ike, from East Riverdale, MD, and five of his friends bought tickets and then discovered the trend.

"We thought it would be fair fun,” he said. "It looks a bit strange, but it's not harmful and hey, you look really nice going to see a movie."

After that Mr. Ike and his friends watched the movie, which Mr. Ike describes...