The Story Behind The “Gru’s Plan” Meme: How Despicable Me Became Internet Genius
The meme “Gru’s Plan” comes from a scene in Despicable Me (2010) and has taken the world by storm as a humorous way to mock illogical reasoning and self-defeating behavior. The content leverages his four-panel flipchart reveal, which is full of irony, relatability, and even visual humor.
The “Gru’s Plan” meme began life on Reddit in 2018 before exploding onto TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram, and quickly became a way to visually highlight failed plans with a humorous punch. The meme reigns supreme in part due to Gru’s expressive villainous character, the timing of the film within culture, and the customization possibilities everybody enjoys; the meme has cemented its place in meme royalty along with “Distracted Boyfriend.”
Will it last? Let’s look back on how “Gru’s Plan” gained traction, how it established an impact, and what it left behind.
1. What Is the Gru’s Plan Meme?
What Does the Meme Look Like and How Is It Used?
The Gru’s Plan meme consists of 4 panels from a comic included in the movie Despicable Me (2010). The content is about Gru, the antihero, confidently describing a plan using flipchart, only to be horrified by his own reasoning at the bottom panel. Normally the sequence is Gru pointing at the panels, grinning, and then horrified. This was a true depiction of when plans go awry.
This format is typically used humorously to ridicule instances where a persons grand idea falls apart with their faulty reasoning at the forefront; for example, someone’s plan to “study all night” turns into “I fell asleep in five minutes”. This is a classic way to mock the idea of self-sabotage, or plain old bad judgement, when discussing expectations for work, school, or even personal conclusions.
Is Gru’s Plan the Most Ironic Visual Planning Meme Ever?
Arguably, yes. The Gru’s Plan meme is commendable for its economy of visual narrative. The flip chart establishes the set-up, the third panel presents the flaw, and Gru’s shocked expression represents the punchline.
It is universally relatable because everyone can remember a time when a plan did not work out as was envisioned, so the meme stands as a blank tool for irony. In contrast to longer-winded memes, its efficiency of simplicity and visual cadence means it is a masterclass of meme making.
2. Where Did the Gru’s Plan Meme Come From?
Which Movie Scene Is the Meme Based On?
The meme traces back to Despicable Me (2010), created by Illumination Entertainment. In the scene, Gru, voiced by Steve Carerell, lists his villainous scheme to steal the moon using a whiteboard.
His overly confident presentation and exaggerated face-turns while pointing excitedly at the whiteboard only to suddenly deflate, led to a perfect opportunity for a meme. The dramatic presentation of this scene lent itself to comedic re-presentation.
How the Template Began Circulating
The Gru’s Plan meme took off around 2018, with early versions popping up on Reddit’s r/memes and documented on Know Your Meme. Users began editing the flipchart panels with their own captions, flipping Gru’s expectations to highlight absurd or ironic outcomes.
For example, a plan to “save money” might end with “buying $200 sneakers.” Its versatility fueled its spread across platforms like Twitter and Instagram.
3. Why the Meme Took Off Online
Why the Flipchart Reveal Works Perfectly
The structural design of The Gru‘s Plan meme fully utilizes its visual orientation. The first two panels establish a logical plan, the third introduces a crucial flaw, and the fourth shows Gru‘s shocked realization.
The twist is perfectly suited to sudden irony, for example “Exercising daily → Eating healthy → Buying a gym membership → Never going.“ Gru‘s heightened physical representation of emotion—from self–satisfied smirk to confused horror—all add humor, making it a fitting vehicle for self-own humor.
Meme Use During Political and Social Misfires
The meme exploded in popularity during the public moments of failure such as political hiccups or product launch failures. For example, during the 2020 U.S. election campaign cycle, memes leveraged the contradictions among the promises made by candidates,resulting in comical images contrasting that campaign plan with the subsequent realities episodes of their campaign.
The structure of the meme was made for highlighting hubris/miscalculations of others during public situations such as awkward press conferences or technical difficulties, allowing it to become a culture wise standard.
4. How the Gru Meme Became a Format for Flawed Logic
Why Gru Represents Failed Planning or Irony
Gru, a well-meaning but bumbling villain, exemplifies the archetype of overconfident planner undone by their own mistakes. His sincere delivery and cartoonish conceit make Gru a relatable stand-in for someone who has miscalculated a situation.
The construction of the meme reflects real-life examples of good intentions colliding with reality, e.g., “Plan a budget → track spending → ignore the app → go broke.“
How It Relates to Other Logic-Based Meme Formats
The Gru’s Plan meme is related to similar logic-based formats such as “Galaxy Brain” or “Expanding Brain”, which progress ideas to ridiculous conclusions, or “Change My Mind”, which challenges incorrect premises.
Unlike these, Gru’s Plan relies on a visual presentation rather than a textual one so it has immediate impact. The collapse of logic theme makes it a faster, more acute cousin. It’s designed for quick, sharp chuckles.
5. The Most Popular Variants of the Gru’s Plan Meme
Classic Flipchart Edits
The typical format is to imagine remaking Gru’s flipchart to parody ridiculous plans. Some examples of parodies include, “Get a job → Work hard → Get promoted → Still broke” or gaming-related ones like, “Buy new game → Play all night → Forget about work → Get fired.”
These edits, which have been shared on places like Reddit and Twitter, rely on the final panel of surprise to produce the comedic effect.
Animated Versions and Video Memes
On TikTok, users reenact the meme with sound effects or voiceovers, often syncing Gru’s shock to trending audio. YouTube creators and Discord communities use animated versions in commentary videos, remixing the format with music or dialogue for extra flair. These adaptations keep the meme dynamic and fresh.
6. How Despicable Me Characters Became Meme Staples
Why Gru Is a Relatable Meme Figure
Gru’s deadpan delivery, expressive face, and over-the-top villain persona make him meme gold. His reactions—smirking, scheming, or panicking—work without needing movie context. Whether it’s his dramatic point or stunned recoil, Gru’s visuals carry the humor, making him a universal figure for poking fun at human error.
Other Despicable Me Memes That Trended
The Despicable Me universe spawned other hits, like “Minions propaganda” memes, where Minions’ chaotic energy fuels workplace or fan culture jokes. “Banana memes” and “Vector memes” (like “Oh yeah!”) also trended, but Gru’s Plan remains the franchise’s meme crown jewel for its sharp commentary.
7. Where the Gru’s Plan Meme Thrives Online
Reddit, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok
The meme dominates platforms like Reddit’s r/memes and r/ProgrammerHumor, where coders mock buggy code plans. On Twitter and Instagram, political satire accounts use it to skewer policy flops. TikTok’s reenactments and Discord’s meme threads keep it alive among gamers, educators, and fandoms.
Is It Still Memeable Today or a Relic of 2018?
The meme remains relevant, with fresh takes in 2025 tying it to new trends, like AI project fails or viral marketing blunders. Its adaptability—fitting any scenario with a flawed plan—ensures it’s no relic. Recent Reddit posts show it thriving in niche communities, proving its staying power.
8. Will Gru’s Plan Stay in the Meme Hall of Fame?
Cyclical Comeback Potential
With Minions sequels and Despicable Me content still rolling out, the meme is poised for resurgence. New movie releases often spark nostalgia, bringing Gru back into the spotlight. Its universal theme of flawed planning guarantees relevance as long as people make mistakes.
Ranking Among Visual Storytelling Memes
The Gru’s Plan meme sits alongside giants like “Distracted Boyfriend,” “Woman Yelling at a Cat,” and “Is This a Pigeon?” for its visual clarity and cultural impact. Its ability to tell a story in four panels, with no text overload, secures its spot in the meme hall of fame.
Conclusion
The Gru’s Plan meme, born from a Despicable Me scene, has evolved into a timeless internet gem. Its four-panel structure, Gru’s relatable shock, and knack for exposing flawed logic make it a viral powerhouse.
From Reddit to TikTok, it thrives across platforms, poking fun at everything from personal fails to global missteps. As long as humans keep overplanning and underdelivering, Gru’s Plan will remain a sharp, hilarious mirror.
Will it stay iconic? With its adaptability and Despicable Me’s enduring popularity, Gru’s meme legacy is secure.
