 As with the first film , which did not have a theatrical release in China , the film 's distributor Universal Pictures had troubles releasing the sequel . When it was reported in July 2013 that the film had been denied a theatrical release in China , then the second largest film market in the world , some analysts attributed this to the protection of locally produced animation . There were also rumors that the film 's release was banned in China because the film 's minions too much resembled former Chinese president Jiang Zemin . China 's Film Bureau was " furious " about the negative comments , stating that the film was not submitted for censorship approval . In fact , there was reportedly a " commercial conflict " between Universal and Edko Films , the film 's local distributor , over which titles are to be imported . Edko had decided that the film " would not do well in China and decided against using one of the precious quota slots for the film . " In December 2013 , a few weeks after the Universal Pictures ' announcement that it would open a Beijing office , it was reported that Despicable Me 2 would be theatrically released in China on January 10 , 2014 . 
