Updated

Updated · Deadline · Jul 6

Minions & Monsters Reaches $160.6M Worldwide as $85.1M Overseas Offsets Franchise-Low U.S. Opening

Updated

Updated · Deadline · Jul 6

Minions & Monsters Reaches $160.6M Worldwide as $85.1M Overseas Offsets Franchise-Low U.S. Opening

Q: Is the Minions' box office reign ending despite the franchise's good reviews?

Yes — the Minions franchise still won the holiday weekend, but its box-office dominance is clearly softening. “Minions & Monsters” opened at No. 1 with about $64.5 million over five days and $39.5 million over three days, but that is the weakest start in the “Despicable Me/Minions” series and far below “Despicable Me 4” and “Minions: The Rise of Gru,” both of which opened above $120 million over the same holiday frame. It also came in at the low end of pre-release expectations. That softer debut is notable because the film’s reception is strong. It earned an A- CinemaScore, around 90 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, and some critics called it one of the best-reviewed entries in the franchise. In other words, the issue does not appear to be poor reviews. The more likely explanation is franchise fatigue in North America, combined with timing factors. Reports cited the July 4 holiday falling on a Saturday, a weaker moviegoing day, and competition from World Cup matches. Audience enthusiasm may also be less intense than reviews suggest, with a lower definite-recommend score on PostTrak and some viewers saying the series feels less fresh. Still, “ending” may be too strong globally. The franchise has already grossed $5.6 billion worldwide, and international markets usually provide more than 60 percent of its total. “Minions & Monsters” added roughly $87 million overseas, which suggests the brand remains powerful even if its U.S. peak may be behind it.

3 articles · Updated · Deadline · Jul 6

$147.1 million in global weekend sales pushed Minions & Monsters to a $160.6 million worldwide total across 72 territories, with foreign markets supplying $85.1 million.
$62 million over five domestic days still left the film with the lowest opening in the Despicable Me/Minions franchise, despite a slight bump from Sunday estimates and a No. 1 U.S. finish.
China led the overseas haul with $16.4 million, followed by Germany at $6.4 million, the UK and Ireland at $5.8 million, and Mexico at $5.5 million as several markets opened at No. 1.
$85 million in net production cost gives the film room to turn a profit even with softer U.S. demand, while school holidays in France, Mexico, the UK and China could support a longer summer run.