Minions The Rise of Gru is a certified box-office hit.
Illumination’s latest animated film in the Despicable Me franchise grossed an estimated $125.2 million at the box office in the United States and Canada for its four-day opening weekend that started last Friday. That figure set a new record for the biggest opening over the Independence Day weekend, surpassing Transformers: Dark of the Moon, which made $115 million back in 2011.
Outside of North America, Minions The Rise of Gru earned $93.8 million for its opening weekend, for a worldwide total of $219 million. It is currently the tenth-highest grossing film of 2022.
Minions The Rise of Gru’s surprising box office opening weekend
The movie’s incredible box-office performance for its opening weekend came as a surprise, as many families are still reluctant to bring their children to theaters during the pandemic. Though there have been family-friendly box-office hits earlier this year such as Sonic the Hedgehog 2, movie analysts weren’t expecting Minions The Rise of Gru to shatter box office records, especially after Disney and Pixar’s Lightyear didn’t fare well at the box office last month.
“A knockout performance by Minions The Rise of Gru may not have been guaranteed, given the less-than-stellar results for some recent family films,” Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore, told CNN Business. “But the undeniable appeal of those silly Minions contained in a perfectly executed movie-theater-only confection was pure cinematic catnip for kids and parents.”
The good reviews about the movie have definitely helped boost its ticket sales. Minions The Rise of Gru currently holds a 72% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with the website’s consensus stating that the film’s “loony marathon of gags … still delight young children” even though “the Minions’ antic shenanigans are beginning to grate.” CNN Business added that a viral TikTok trend that had moviegoers dress up in formal wear to see the film might have also contributed to the movie’s box-office success.
Minions The Rise of Gru synopsis
The sequel to the 2015 spinoff prequel Minions and the fifth entry overall in the Despicable Me franchise, Minions The Rise of Gru tells the story of how the world’s greatest supervillain, Gru, first met his iconic Minions.
Long before he becomes the master of evil, Gru is just a 12-year-old boy in 1970s suburbia, plotting to take over the world from his basement. It’s not going particularly well. When Gru crosses paths with the Minions, including Kevin, Stuart, Bob, and Otto — a new Minion sporting braces and a desperate need to please — this unexpected family joins forces. Together, they build their first lair, design their first weapons, and strive to execute their first missions.
When the infamous supervillain supergroup, the Vicious 6, oust their leader—legendary martial arts fighter Wild Knuckles — Gru, their most devoted fanboy, interviews to become their newest member. The Vicious 6 is not impressed by the diminutive, wannabe villain, but then Gru outsmarts (and enrages) them, and he suddenly finds himself the mortal enemy of the apex of evil. With Gru on the run, the Minions attempt to master the art of kung fu to help save him, and Gru discovers that even bad guys need a little help from their friends.
Minions The Rise of Gru cast
The movie’s voice cast includes Steve Carell (Gru), Pierre Coffin (Kevin, Stuart, Bob, Otto, and the rest of the Minions), Taraji P. Henson (Belle Bottom), Michelle Yeoh (Master Chow), Russell Brand (Dr. Nefario), Julie Andrews (Marlena Gru), and Alan Arkin (Wild Knuckles), among many others.
Minions The Rise of Gru release date
The film was originally set for release in 2020 but was delayed multiple times due to the pandemic. It ultimately premiered on July 1st, but unlike other recent family movies that opted for a streaming or hybrid release, Minions exclusively debuted in theaters — a strategy that paid off generously this past weekend.
Minions The Rise of Gru trailer
Planning to watch the movie soon? Check out the trailer for the film below:
