Never underestimate the power of despicable cuteness. Despicable Me's fifth overall entry, and the second follow-up to 2015's spin-off, Minions, has been a huge hit. In fact, if it keeps up its current trajectory, it could end up being just the third film in two years to gross over a billion at the global box office.
According to Deadline, Minions: The Rise of Gru is expected to reach a four-day total gross of $129.2 million with a global opening weekend total of around $196.6 million. This will be higher than the studio's original projections of $150 million. It will also be the highest take for an Illumination Entertainment animated movie in its opening weekend. Not only that, but the Minions sequel looks like it will set a new four-day holiday weekend record as well.
As America celebrates Independence Day on Monday, July 4, moviegoers have at least three days without work to watch Minions: The Rise of Gru. Experts are expecting follow-up to beat the previous record-holder, 2011's Transformers: Dark of the Moon.