The animated film "Minions & Monsters" incorporates a range of references to early cinema, celebrating the history of filmmaking. The opening sequences feature minions interacting with classic silent films, including works by Eadweard Muybridge, George Méliès, and the Lumière brothers.
Several specific early films are referenced. The minions are shown galloping on a horse in Eadweard Muybridge's "The Horse in Motion" (1878) and running alongside a dog in his "Dog Running" (1887). They also appear in a scene mimicking "L’Arroseur Arrosé" (1895), a film by the Lumière brothers known for its early use of narrative. Another Lumière brothers film, "Workers Leaving the Lumière Factory" (1895), is also referenced, depicting minions leaving a long day of work. The iconic "Train Pulling Into a Station" (1896) is also referenced with minions at the train station. The film's homage continues with a nod to George Méliès's seminal work, "A Trip to the Moon" (1902), where a minion embodies the moon itself and a shuttle lands in its eye, recreating a famous scene from Méliès's film.
These references position "Minions & Monsters" as an ode to Hollywood and a reflection on cinema's rich history, integrating foundational moments of film into its narrative.