Minions & Monsters scored the seventh consecutive number one North American debut in the 16-year Despicable Me/Minions animation franchise, howe
Minions & Monsters scored the seventh consecutive number one North American debut in the 16-year Despicable Me/Minions animation franchise, however the estimated $36.4m over Friday-Sunday and $61.4m over the five-day Independence Day session delivered the lowest start in the series for Illumination/Universal.
Pierre Coffin’s origins story of the diminutive yellow mischief-makers set in 1920s Hollywood could not match any of the comparable periods for the previous four Despicable Me and two Minions features. Two years ago the most recent episode Despicable Me 4 opened to $75m over Friday to Sunday and $122.6m over five days.
These early numbers from 4,243 locations will have Hollywood insiders debating the merits of a seventh instalment within the context of North America audiences, even through critics loved Minions & Monsters and it earned an A-CinemaScore.
July Fourth holiday celebrations did not lend a hand matters. Box office analyst EntTelligence reported 4.4million attendees over the five-day period, noting that 10.8% of foot traffic on Saturday (July 4) came after 8pm compared to 18.7% for the previous Saturday.
However given the reported $85m production budget and solid international numbers pushing the worldwide tally to $159.9m, Minions & Monsters should break even and solid critical and audience word could spur a solid second weekend.
With Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story 5 in second place adding $31m for $366.3m after three, attention turned to DC Studios/Warner Bros’ misfire Supergirl, which collapsed further in its second weekend, plummeting a dismal 74% on $9.6m for $58.5m. Far better was Young Washington, the timely action adventure about the youthful exploits of the first president of the United States starring Angel Studios and Wonder Project starring William Franklyn-Miller.
Jon Erwin’s feature arrived in third place on $20.8m in 2,700 sites – an excellent result considering Young Washington had been tracking to open on around $15m. Shortly after the debut, Erwin announced on social media that writing had begun on the sequel, 1776.
In its eighth weekend, summer smash Obsession added $5.3m for $245.3m through Focus Features and crossed $400m worldwide. A24’s Backrooms at number seven stands at $190.5m through A24 after six.
Speaking of A24, the studio’s adult comedy and Sundance entry The Invite directed by and co-starring Olivia Wilde broke into the top 10 in its second weekend, earning $800,708 from 28 screens for $1.4m.
The weekend’s overall three-day box office amounted to $121.3m, pushing year-to-date to $4.9bn, which tracks 13.2% ahead of 2025 by the same stage. Summer is tracking 12% ahead of last year.
