In the first Despicable Me film, Gru plans to steal the Moon.
Gru begins the 2010 film as an ambitious supervillain determined to reclaim his status as the world’s greatest criminal. After rival villain Vector steals the Great Pyramid of Giza, Gru designs an even more spectacular crime: using a shrink ray to reduce and steal the Moon. He needs financial backing from the Bank of Evil and must first obtain the device capable of shrinking it.
The scheme depends on timing. Dr. Nefario calculates when the Moon will be closest to Earth, making the heist possible, but that date clashes with the ballet recital of Margo, Edith and Agnes. Gru adopts the three orphaned girls partly to infiltrate Vector’s fortress, yet their presence gradually changes his priorities.
The film also explains why the Moon is not permanently lost. The shrink ray’s effects are temporary, and the larger the object, the faster it returns to its original size. The Moon eventually expands and launches back into orbit, while Gru’s criminal plan gives way to his role as a father.