Despicable Me 4 has set off fireworks at the box office this Fourth of July weekend, surpassing expectations and breaking records. The latest installment in Universal and Illumination’s beloved animated franchise has outperformed its predecessor, Minions: Rise of Gru, with a staggering $115+ million projected for the extended weekend.
A Stellar Debut
The movie kicked off its impressive run with a $27 million debut on Wednesday, followed by a $20.4 million haul on Thursday. This achievement marks the third-largest Thursday opening for an animated film in U.S. history, only trailing behind a few other blockbusters in the genre.
Box Office Breakdown
| Day | Earnings |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | $27 million |
| Thursday | $20.4 million |
Gru and the Minions Dominate
Despite a slight 24.4% drop from its opening day, Despicable Me 4 is eyeing a robust $115M-$130M five-day opening and a $70M-$80M three-day weekend. This performance not only surpasses Minions: Rise of Gru’s $16 million Fourth of July haul in 2022 but also comes close to matching Despicable Me 2’s $24.5 million holiday record from 2013.
Competing Against the Best
Despicable Me 4’s strong performance comes as a welcome relief for theaters following a slow start to the summer box office with other anticipated releases like “The Fall Guy” and “Furiosa” underperforming. Alongside Despicable Me 4, other big hits this summer include Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2,” Sony’s “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” and Paramount’s “A Quiet Place: Day One.”
The Plot of Despicable Me 4
Despicable Me 4 continues the adventures of Felonious Gru (voiced by Steve Carell) as he heads to his old school, Lycée Pas Bon, for a reunion. While there, Gru is undercover for the Anti-Villain League (AVL) to capture his longtime rival, Maxine Le Mal (voiced by Will Ferrell).
Cast and Characters
| Character | Voice Actor |
|---|---|
| Felonious Gru | Steve Carell |
| Maxine Le Mal | Will Ferrell |
| Lucy (Gru’s wife) | Kristen Wiig |
| Margo (adopted daughter) | Miranda Cosgrove |
| Edith (adopted daughter) | Dana Gaier |
| Agnes (adopted daughter) | Madison Polan |
| Valentina (Maxine’s girlfriend) | Sofía Vergara |
| Silas Ramsbottom | Steve Coogan |
| Dr. Nefario | Romesh Ranganathan |
| Principal Übelschlecht | Chris Renaud |
Gru’s New Adventures
In this sequel, Gru and his family are relocated to a safe house after some of his activities at the AVL. The family, under the alias “Cunningham,” tries to blend into their new upscale neighborhood. However, their attempts are met with various challenges, including Gru’s efforts to befriend the super-rich Perry Prescott (Stephen Colbert) and Lucy’s misadventures at a local hair salon.
Maxine’s Villainous Plans
Maxine, who holds a grudge against Gru from their school days, escapes from the AVL’s maximum security prison with the help of his girlfriend Valentina. Together, they plan their revenge against Gru and his family.
Conclusion
Despicable Me 4 has proven to be a major hit, bringing in massive box office numbers and delighting audiences with its humor and heart. With its strong opening and positive reception, the film is set to continue its successful run, cementing the Despicable Me franchise as a beloved staple in animated entertainment.
Stay tuned for more updates on this box office sensation!
