The Fourth of July isn’t just about barbecues and fireworks this year thanks to the flood of blockbuster movies this Summer. For movie and Despicable fans, it’s about the long-awaited return of Gru and his mischievous Minions in Despicable Me 4. Directed by Chris Renaud, the latest installment in the top-grossing animated franchise brought laughter, action, and heartwarming moments. With a phenomenal opening day gross and expectations have been set high for the extended holiday weekend. With that being said, it already seems that this film is making a significant impact on the box office.
Sparks Fly As Despicable Me 4 Kicks Off With A Bang
With the highly anticipated opening on Wednesday, July 3rd, Despicable Me 4 gave an impressive show with opening day grossing $27 million. This strong start sets the stage for an estimated five-day holiday debut of $120 million at the domestic box office, including $70 million for the three-day weekend. Such figures are a testament to the long-lasting popularity of Gru and his Minions, as well as the film’s appeal to audiences of all ages. Making it a perfect reason for family and friends to take their fun to the theaters after all the cookouts and fireworks.
Gru’s Patriotic Duty
Gru and his loyal Minions are back after 7 years to fulfill their patriotic duty by lighting up the Fourth of July box office. With a glowing “A” CinemaScore, the hot new featured film is expected to dominate the holiday weekend, drawing in families and movie fans all over. The film’s success is a promising sign for the revival of the animated family marketplace, which faced huge challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Competing with Inside Out 2
Despite the strong entry of Despicable Me 4, Pixar and Disney‘s Inside Out 2 remains a chilling competitor with no sights of slowing down. Now in its fourth weekend, Inside Out 2 has already achieved remarkable milestones, including surpassing $1 billion in global ticket sales and posting the biggest domestic debut of the year with $154 million. While Despicable Me 4 aims to take the box office crown, Inside Out 2 continues to perform well, expected to earn $46 million or more over the five-day holiday frame.
A Look Back To The Beginning Of The Franchise
The Despicable Me franchise has a storied history of success, beginning with its debut in 2010. The first film opened over the July 9th-11th weekend with $56 million, setting the stage for future releases. In 2013, Despicable Me 2 shifted its release slot earlier to become a Fourth of July staple, posting a five-day debut of $143 million. The trend continued with Despicable Me 3 in 2017, which also achieved a $120 million five-day holiday start. Which is why the newest installment is expected to do the same numbers or more!
So far, Despicable Me 4 by Illumination/Universal grossed $20.4 million on July 4th, up 28% over Minions: Rise of Gru‘s $16 million on the same day in 2022. It’s also 61% higher than Despicable Me 3‘s $12.7 million on July 4th, and ranks second overall behind DM2‘s $24.5 million holiday take in 2013. This weekend will really reveal whether this sixth Minions/Despicable Me universe film will gross more or less than $120 million by Sunday, but it’s a very strong start for the Independence Day weekend.
What’s New?
In Despicable Me 4, Gru, voiced by Steve Carell, ushers in a new era of Minions mayhem. Joined by Lucy (Kristen Wiig) and their daughters, Gru welcomes a new son, Gru Jr., who is determined to torment his dad. The family faces new challenges when they go on the run from a new nemesis voiced by Will Ferrell and his femme-fatale girlfriend played by Sofía Vergara. The film also features new characters voiced by Joey King, Stephen Colbert, and Chloe Fineman, with Pierre Coffin returning as the iconic voice of the Minions.
Directed by Chris Renaud, co-creator of the Minions, Despicable Me 4 boasts a talented team both on and off-screen. The script was penned by Mike White (White Lotus) and Despicable Me veteran Ken Daurio, with Patrick Delage co-directing. Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri produced the film alongside Brett Hoffman, ensuring the high-quality animation and storytelling that fans have come to expect.
The Future of the Franchise
With the success of “Despicable Me 4 and the recent reveal of the Minions Megaverse timeline, fans can look forward to more adventures with Gru and his Minions. The franchise shows no signs of slowing down, with potential spin-offs and new storylines in the pipeline. The continued popularity of the characters and their timeless appeal proves that the Despicable Me series will remain a beloved part of the animated film realm.
Overall, early reviews for Despicable Me 4 have been overwhelmingly positive, with critics praising the film’s humor, animation, and heartfelt moments. Additionally, audiences have also responded excitingly, as evidenced by the film’s almost perfect CinemaScore. Nonetheless, the positive reception shows well for the film’s continued success at the box office and solidifies its place as a standout entry in the franchise. Stay tuned here for more updates from our team throughout the holiday weekend and stay safe!
