The biggest claim to fame of Universal's Illumination Entertainment so far has been the animated feature Despicable Me along with its sequel, Despicable Me 2, and the Minions spinoff - which became the company's first billion-dollar film despite less than favorable reviews. Now, the animation studio's next feature is The Secret Life of Pets, which reunites many players from the Despicable Me franchise to explore a new world.

The first teaser trailer for The Secret Life of Pets introduced viewers to the colorful menagerie of animals living in a Manhattan apartment building. Then the second teaser offered additional insight what pets are really like behind their owners backs - this time with a holiday theme - but failed to reveal the plot of the film. Now, the newly revealed third trailer for The Secret Life of Pets offers our first look at the story of these animated animals.

Universal debuted the third trailer, which focuses on Snowball's (Kevin Hart) rescue mission and rallying cry: "Liberated forever, domesticated never." The Secret Life of Pets focuses on the terrier Max (Louis C.K.), who begins to feel neglected when his owner brings home a new dog from the pound, Duke (Eric Stonestreet). They run across Snowball and his society of abandoned pets, known as Flushed Pets, who are seeking revenge on all pet owners and their beloved furry friends.

The Secret Life of Pets co-stars Steve Coogan (Happyish), Ellie Kemper (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), Bobby Moynihan (Saturday Night Live), Lake Bell (No Escape), Hannibal Buress (Broad City), Jenny Slate (Parks and Recreation), Albert Brooks (Concussion), and Dana Carvey (Saturday Night Live). The film is co-directed by Chris Renaud (Despicable Me 1, 2) and Yarrow Cheney (production designer on Despicable Me), from a script by Brian Lynch (Minions) and the duo of Despicable Me scribes Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio.

As with the previous teasers, this third trailer for The Secret Life of Pets highlights the humor of the film - specifically focusing on Snowball's manic devotion to his cause, which is sometimes at odds with the realities of being a bunny. Additionally, the voice cast for The Secret Life of Pets should offer viewers hope for even more humor within the final film. The physical gags of the trailer are sure to land with children and adults alike perhaps hinting at another hit for Illumination Entertainment.

Of course, the animation studio hasn't had the greatest critical track record, especially with their most recent release of Minions, and their movies outside the Despicable Me franchise haven't performed as well as the box office. But, The Secret Life of Pets has potential to draw in and entertain critics and casual moviegoers (both with and without kids) alike. Because of this potential and the humor displayed in the early teasers, The Secret Life of Pets became one of our most anticipated animated films of the year.

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The Secret Life of Pets will be released in U.S. theaters on July 8th, 2016.

Source: Universal Pictures