In a viral video, a group of people dressed as Minions, along with a Gru cosplayer, was seen attempting to approach a Scientology Church building in California. The moment is linked to a growing online trend called “Scientology runs,” which has been spreading on TikTok, where participants film themselves trying to enter or explore Scientology buildings.
The video was first posted on TikTok by user juicy.jacobb. It quickly went viral, gaining over 8 million views, 1.8 million likes, and around 6,000 comments. The clip was later reposted across other platforms, including Reddit, where it received more than 30,000 upvotes and about 600 comments. The mix of the popular meme costumes and the ongoing trend helped the video spread widely.
The footage does not show the group successfully entering the building. Instead, it shows the Minion-costumed individuals and the Gru cosplayer standing outside the Scientology Church in California, engaging in playful antics near the entrance. The Gru character performs a parody speech inspired by the “stealing the moon” scene, but altered to reference meeting Tom Cruise instead. Security is visible at the entrance, with staff appearing alert amid the growing number of similar online “runs.” The group is later seen dancing, doing push-ups, and joking around in front of the guards before leaving the area. The video ends with them moving on to Santa Monica Pier, where they just run around.
The location appears to be a Scientology facility in California, where similar buildings have become focal points of the viral trend. Due to increased attention from these challenges, staff members are shown maintaining tighter security at the entrance during the filming.
California Scientology Run Sparks Online Buzz
Online reactions were mixed, though many users found humor in the costumes and the situation. Some described the trend as a form of satire, while others questioned whether it could pose unnecessary risks or heighten security concerns. “Every day I marvel at the timeline we’re living in,” one user commented.
Another wrote that it was “honestly brilliant,” suggesting that satire and public stunts draw attention without confrontation.
Not all reactions supported the approach. Some questioned the stunt’s goal, while others warned that it could lead to safety or legal concerns if it escalates.
There were also jokes about expanding the trend to other corporate or controversial locations. However, some users pushed back on that idea, saying it could lead to stricter security responses and potential legal consequences if boundaries were crossed.
The “Scientology run” trend continues to circulate online, with more users joining in or remixing it in different ways, keeping the format active across social media platforms.
