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#Gentleminions: TikTok trend sparks uproar as young men throng 'Minions' screenings in formal suits

Several viral videos shared on social media show groups of teenagers and young adults descending upon their local cinemas in the finest clothes

A strange new TikTok trend in connection with the release of the new animated film 'Minions: The Rise of Gru' has caused an uproar on social media.

Dubbed as the '#Gentleminions', the trend sees large groups of young men in formal attire -- consisting of dark suits and ties -- attend screenings of the blockbuster movie in characteristic fashion. Several viral videos shared on social media show groups of teenagers and young adults descending upon their local cinemas, walking in file and riding escalators in formation while making their way through shopping centers to their nearest Minions screening. After entering the cinema, they sit together in a row, throw Minions symbols as the movie progresses, and routinely clap in appreciation.

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According to the Daily Mail, the idea behind the trend is that "it's amusing for viewers to see formally attired young men appearing to take a children's film so seriously." Their style of viewing has been deemed "ironic enjoyment" and the groups are often seen filming meme-worthy content for TikTok during the act. The trend has swept the country, with one popular video by TikToker Bill Hirst racking up more than 35 million views. The clip was reportedly filmed at Westfield Chatswood in Sydney, Australia. 

TikTok users are applauding the trend, with one saying the boys are "raising awareness for the greatest movie ever." The clip has also gone viral on other platforms such as Twitter.

"Why Minions is crushing the box office," journalist Rob Keyes tweeted, sharing Hirst's TikTok clip on the micro-blogging platform.

"I need to be in the gentleminions crew more than I need anything else in life," podcaster Will DeFries added.

What's more? TikToker Hirst received an endorsement from the official Minions account on his original video. "Here you dropped this," they wrote, alongside a crown emoticon.

However, not everyone is pleased with the trend. One cinema was forced to ban the "Gentleminions" due to alleged uncivilized conduct. A Twitter user on Monday, July 4, shared a sign posted at an Odeon Cinemas location notifying patrons that groups of young men in suits wouldn't be allowed to enter the screenings.

"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. Thank you," the sign read. "Thoroughly entertained by this sign @ODEONCinemas and then saw a bunch of kids in suits refused entry! #gentleminions," the Twitter user explained while sharing the post.

"This is not very gentlemanly," another Twitter user wrote, sharing a snap of spilled popcorn in the movie theater.

"In order to keep #gentleminions going, we have to behave. no yelling, no being disruptive to other movie-goers. True gentleminionship," someone else insisted.

It's worth noting that the latest Minions movie is already a smash hit in the US, topping the box office and drawing more than $128 million in its opening weekend. The animated film will be the first to rake in that much over the Fourth Of July holiday weekend, Variety reported. Meanwhile, 'Minions: The Rise of Gru' has also enjoyed the number one spot at the Australian box office for the past two weeks.