Okay. After Universal and Illumination’s Minions: The Rise of Gru earned a stupefying $10.7 million in Thursday previews, I’m starting to think that my $67 million 3 day prediction may be too low. In terms of family movies of recent, it’s way better than the $5 million earned by Lightyear and even better than the $6 million earned by Sonic the Hedgehog 2. As for the franchise, it’s much bigger than the $4 million earned by Despicable Me 3 and (surprisingly) the $6 million earned by Minions. As for the elite animated openers, it’s bigger than the $8 million and $9 million earned by Frozen 2 and Finding Dory respectively but understandably lower than Toy Story 4 and Incredibles 2 ($12 million and $18 million). Despite beginning as early as 2pm, I’m pretty sure part of this better than expected result has to do with the reviews which in turn are better than expected and at 69% fresh.
Now now I know what your thinking: How much is it going to actually earn over the entire Fourth of July weekend? Good question. As of right now, it is looking like $85 million-$110 million/$95 million-$120 million for its debut. Even if it plays like a live action blockbuster, it will still destroy all expectations. This result is either because people aren’t sick of Despicable Me and they actually were looking forward to this movie or it could be because Gru and the Minions are marquee characters. Maybe it’s a little bit of both.
Because of this, I’m upping my prediction to $96 million/$116 million. I know it sounds crazy for a film I literally thought it was gonna have the lowest opening in the franchise since the best film in the franchise, but it’s looking likely that it will make way more in three days than it was expected to make in four. However, don’t be surprised if the movie cracks $100 million in 3 days and secures an opening bigger than the first Minions film.
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