Despicable Me 4 has burst onto the box office scene and drawn its fans back into the lively chaos of Gru and his Minions. Premiered on July 3, 2024, the film quickly dominated the Fourth of July weekend. It went on to amass a whopping $122.6 million over the five-day period.

(Photo: Instagram)

The amount included $75 million during the traditional three-day weekend. This solid opening has continued the franchise's legacy of box office success and positioned it at the top among animated releases of the year.

International Success

The Despicable Me franchise has consistently achieved financial success after its debut in 2010. Notably, the initial release pooled in $56 million on its opening weekend; moreover, each subsequent movie has built on that momentum. Despicable Me 2 and Minions set high benchmarks. The former earned $143 million over its five-day opening and the latter reached $115 million. Despicable Me 4’s strong start puts it on track to surpass these milestones, especially as it has yet to open in major international markets like China, the UK, and Japan.

Its international success is already notable, with a global total of $440.3 million. Countries like Mexico and Brazil have significantly influenced their earnings and contributed $12.6 million and $6 million respectively. This universal appeal means it resonates across diverse audiences. It's this factor that has undoubtedly catalyzed the impressive box office performance.

(Photo: Official Trailer) Carell's portrayal of Gru delivers a practical storyline for parents

One key success factor for Despicable Me 4 is its all-star cast that features Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, and new additions like Will Ferrell and Sofia Vergara. Carell's portrayal of Gru, now struggling to bond with his son Gru Jr., delivers a practical storyline for parents. Apart from that, the film also brings back beloved characters and introduces new ones. Additionally, it achieves a mix of old-school and fresh excitement for audiences.

Strategic Timing

Interestingly, the film avoided direct competition with Pixar’s Inside Out 2, which had a record-breaking debut just a few weeks before. This strategic release timing allowed both films to maximize their box office potential without cannibalizing each other’s audiences. As a result, Inside Out 2 opened to $154 million, setting the stage for a strong summer for animated films. By spacing out these major releases, studios ensured that families could enjoy both films, contributing to their financial success.

(Photo: Official Trailer) The Despicable Me franchise has consistently achieved financial success

Furthermore, Despicable Me 4’s success also reflects the longstanding appeal of the franchise. The Minions, with their playful antics and satirical humor, have developed a cross-generational fan base. This broad appeal is a crucial factor in the film’s strong box office performance. The movie’s marketing strategy, which included a parody teaser of the Megaverse, cleverly tapped into current pop culture trends. Consequently, it drew attention and generated a trend.

The franchise's rise to becoming the first animated series to gross over $5 billion is evidence of its popularity. This milestone places Despicable Me alongside some of the biggest names in film, including Avatar, Transformers, and the Avengers. Moreover, its ability to maintain relevance and attract large audiences over multiple installments is an unmatched achievement in the competitive landscape of animated films.