While Illumination Entertainment is best known for its Despicable Me films and, more specifically, those adorable minions, the studio has other projects in the pipeline as well. They released Hop in 2011 and Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax in 2012, and in 2016 they will unveil The Secret Life of Pets. Directed by Despicable Me helmer Chris Renaud and co-director Yarrow Cheney, the film takes place in a Manhattan apartment building and revolves around its animal inhabitants. The ensemble voice cast includes Louis C.K., Albert Brooks, Kevin Hart, Ellie Kemper, Bobby Moynihan, Lake Bell, Hannibal Buress, Jenny Slate, and Eric Stonestreet.

Steve is currently at the Licensing Expo in Las Vegas, and while on the floor he snapped some photos of a collection of posters for The Secret Life of Pets. They give us our first good look at the animated characters, and they’re kind of adorable. The various breeds have different facial structures, offering a bit of diversity to the visual palette. Though obviously it’s tough to accurately gauge the pic without seeing the animation in motion.

Check out the posters below, click here for Steve's reaction to seeing footage at CinemaCon, and expect to see the first trailer for the pic timed to the release of Illumination Entertainment's Minions this summer. The Secret Life of Pets will open in theaters on July 8, 2016.

click on any image for high-res

For more of our Licensing Expo coverage, click on the links below:

• BATMAN V SUPERMAN Official Synopsis Revealed
• BATMAN V SUPERMAN: 16 High-Resolution Batmobile Pictures, Plus Specs
• BATMAN V SUPERMAN: 12 Pictures of Wonder Woman, Batman, and Superman Costumes
• FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM and Spielberg's THE BFG Logos Revealed
• First POWER RANGERS and GODS OF EGYPT Logos Revealed
• More ASSASSIN'S CREED Movie Posters Spread Their Wings and Fly