Teenagers disrupt cinemas by mimicking Minions for social media trend

Cinemas have launched a crackdown on a new social media trend which has seen teenagers dressed in suits attending a children’s film to mimic Minion characters.

Hoards of young people have filmed themselves on TikTok disrupting screenings of Minions: The Rise of Gru by cheering, clapping and shouting during the film.

The behaviour has caused disgruntled filmgoers to demand their money back over the rowdy behaviour as cinemas take action to prevent further disturbances.

A manager at a Vue Cinema in Worcester told how £1,300 worth of refunds were issued in a single day as a result of complaints.

They said: “I had to refund all of the tickets in that theatre because of kids shouting and mimicking the Minions while the film was playing.

“It was a group of about eight kids. Now, when we see any kids coming in to see the film dressed up we give them a warning.

“We tell them that if there is one complaint, whatever that may be, they will be kicked out of the cinema.

“It’s something being implemented across a lot of cinemas, I have colleagues in Cheltenham who I know have had problems as well.”

Another cinema manager added: “The issue with the trend is children running around and treating the film as an opera, shouting and clapping.”

One sign, reportedly from an Odeon cinema, was posted online saying those dressed in suits would be refused entry to the movie.

It read: “Due to recent disturbances following the #Gentleminions trend, any group of guests in formal attire will be refused entry for showings of Minions: The Rise of Gru.”

Film ruined

Other customers took to social media to complain that the latest viral phenomenon - dubbed the new Binley Mega Chippy - had ruined their enjoyment of the film.

One mother said: “Took the girls to see the minions movie this evening. Walked out after an hour and got a refund.

“Pretty much the whole rear half of the cinema was full of teenagers screaming, shouting, chanting and yelling throughout the entire thing. Wtf is wrong with people?”

The social media trend called “Gentleminions” sees large groups of teenagers dressed identically in suits coming to cinemas to watch the new film.

Videos posted online show children walking into their local cinemas before making Minions symbols with their hands and clapping during the film.

The film has become a smash hit in the US and Australia, topping the box office and making $128 million in its opening weekend.

A spokesman for Odeon cinemas said: “Due to a small number of incidents in our cinemas over the weekend we have had to restrict access in some circumstances.”