Minions & Monsters just made Despicable Me history, and not in the way Illumination wanted. The latest franchise installment topped the global box office but set a surprising new low on the domestic front.
Minions & Monsters box office opens to franchise low numbers
Illumination’s Minions & Monsters debuted to the weakest domestic opening in Despicable Me/Minions history with a $61.4M five-day start. The seventh franchise installment still secured No. 1 globally across 72 territories, according to Deadline. Overseas audiences delivered $85M, lifting the worldwide opening weekend to $146.4M. The running global cume now stands at $159.8M after the pic’s second wide frame.
Past franchise entries launched considerably stronger on their respective opening days. Despicable Me 2 posted a $35M Wednesday debut back in July 2013. Despicable Me 4 collected $27.2M on its Wednesday opening. Minions & Monsters earned $14.23M on Wednesday without preview screenings. Its 24% Wednesday-to-Thursday decline closely tracked Despicable Me 4’s 25% drop.
Universal domestic distribution boss Jim Orr remained upbeat about the film’s prospects. “Illumination once again provides global audiences with a film that audiences are embracing,” Orr said. “Reaction scores that once again validate the charm, wit and heart of this most incredible franchise.”
International markets showed robust demand across multiple regions. China topped all territories with $16.4M from 30,000 screens over previews and opening weekend. Germany pulled $6.4M from 1,632 locations, capturing 35% market share at No. 1. The UK and Ireland gathered $5.9M across 2,500 screens. Mexico brought in $5.6M from 2,800 screens at No. 2. Spain ranked first with $4.3M and a 38% market share.
Opening-day audiences gave the Pierre Coffin-directed film an A- CinemaScore. Latino and Hispanic moviegoers represented 37% of domestic attendance per PostTrak data. The pic carries an $85M net production cost before prints and advertising. Upcoming school holidays across France, the UK and Mexico should sustain international momentum.
