Illumination and Universal’s Despicable Me franchise continues its box office domination as Despicable Me 4 rules the Fourth of July weekend with an estimated five-day opening of $122 million, including a three-day weekend haul of $75 million. This strong start for the fourth installment in the main franchise and the sixth in the Despicable Me / Minions series cements its position as the top-grossing animated franchise of all time.
The first Despicable Me opened in July 2010 to $56 million, and the series has since become a Fourth of July staple. Despicable Me 4 follows this tradition, opening on Wednesday, July 3, to capitalize on the holiday weekend. The movie introduces new characters voiced by Steve Carell, Will Ferrell, and Sofia Vergara, but it’s the iconic Minions that continue to steal the show, captivating audiences and solidifying their status as Illumination’s beloved icons.
Despicable Me 4 Box Office Performance
- Estimated five-day opening of $122 million
- Three-day weekend gross of $75 million
- Modest production budget of $100 million
- Solid A CinemaScore from opening day crowds
- Lowest-rated installment with a 54% Rotten Tomatoes score
Internationally, Despicable Me 4 earned $106.9 million from 52 markets, bringing its total global earnings to $229.5 million. The movie’s strong performance highlights the enduring popularity of the Despicable Me franchise and the appeal of family-oriented films at the box office.
Inside Out 2 Slips to Second Place
Disney and Pixar’s Inside Out 2 maintained its strong performance at the box office, securing the second position with earnings of $30 million over the weekend. Despite slipping from the top spot, the animated sequel has amassed an impressive $533 million domestically and $1.2 billion globally since its release last month.
Inside Out 2 has emerged as a standout hit of the summer, crossing the $1 billion mark globally in record time[1]. The movie is currently the third-biggest animated film of all time at the domestic box office and the second-biggest Pixar movie ever made.
A Quiet Place: Day One Holds Strong in Third Place
Paramount’s horror prequel, A Quiet Place: Day One, clinched the third spot with a weekend revenue of $21 million, pushing its total domestic earnings to $94.4 million. The film has held up well in its second weekend, demonstrating the continued appeal of the A Quiet Place franchise.
Directed by Michael Sarnoski, A Quiet Place: Day One serves as a prequel to the main films and has received mostly positive reviews. By comparison, the first A Quiet Place film grossed $180 million in its domestic run, while the sequel, A Quiet Place Part II, made $166 million.
MaXXXine Debuts in Fourth Place
A24’s horror flick MaXXXine debuted in fourth place with $6.7 million. Directed by Ti West, MaXXXine is the third installment in a trilogy of horror movies starring Mia Goth, spanning a variety of horror sub-genres.
The opening weekend performance for MaXXXine is higher than the $4 million and $3 million that its predecessors, X and Pearl, grossed in their respective opening weekends a couple of years ago.
Bad Boys: Ride or Die Rounds Out the Top Five
Sony’s Bad Boys: Ride or Die, featuring the dynamic duo of Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, rounded up the top five with earnings of $6.5 million, pushing its domestic total to $177.4 million. The film continues to perform well, demonstrating the enduring popularity of the Bad Boys franchise.
Family Films Drive Box Office Resurgence
The success of Despicable Me 4 and Inside Out 2 highlights the importance of family-oriented films in driving audiences back to theaters. Theater owners have credited the success of Inside Out 2 in particular for drawing families to cinemas.
Industry experts note a significant contrast between the lackluster Memorial Day weekend and the recent Fourth of July weekend, attributing it to a diverse range of movie options and stronger box office results. Paul Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst at Comscore, emphasized the unpredictable nature of box office success, highlighting how a few standout performances can reshape perceptions of the industry’s vitality.
With upcoming releases like Moana 2, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, and Wicked, theater operators are optimistic about the outlook for the remainder of the year. The resurgence in box office numbers has been partly fueled by the popularity of family-centric films, which continue to be a lucrative venture for film studios and cinemas.
Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1 Struggles
One notable underperformer over the weekend was Kevin Costner’s ambitious Western project, Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1. The film garnered only $5.5 million over the weekend, raising questions about its future commercial success despite Costner’s dedication to the series.
Conclusion
Despicable Me 4’s domination of the Fourth of July weekend box office, coupled with the continued success of Inside Out 2, demonstrates the enduring appeal of family-oriented films in the current cinematic landscape. The franchise’s ability to consistently debut at the top spot, establishing a tradition linked with the Fourth of July holiday, is a testament to the universal appeal of characters like Gru and the Minions.
The triumph of Despicable Me 4 marks another success for Illumination, solidifying its position as a powerhouse in the film industry. With a modest production budget of $100 million and a solid A CinemaScore from opening day crowds, the movie is poised to generate significant profits for its creators.
As the summer movie season progresses, the box office resurgence driven by family films is expected to continue, with upcoming releases promising to further captivate audiences and drive theater attendance. The success of Despicable Me 4 and Inside Out 2 serves as a reminder of the enduring appeal of heartwarming stories and beloved characters in the world of cinema.
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