by: Bee Delores
Last Updated: October 9, 2024
6 min read
6 min read
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In a year packed with blockbuster films, Despicable Me 4 has emerged as a box office powerhouse. Released on July 3, 2024, the fourth installment of the beloved animated franchise quickly cemented its place among the year’s top-grossing films.
Fans of Gru, his family, and of course, the Minions, flocked to theaters, helping the movie achieve remarkable success despite stiff competition from other high-profile releases.
With the box office landscape constantly shifting, the movie’s performance is a testament to the enduring appeal of Illumination’s Despicable Me series.
While it’s common for animated films to perform well, Despicable Me 4 has managed to exceed expectations, not only dominating summer box office numbers but also surpassing major players in the industry.
This movie’s financial success further demonstrates how animated franchises, when done right, can stand toe-to-toe with superhero blockbusters and action-packed thrillers. Keep reading for details!
One of the most notable achievements of Despicable Me 4 is overtaking Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness in the global box office rankings. As of its sixteenth weekend, the animated film has grossed an astounding $958.4 million worldwide.
This includes $361 million from the North American box office and a whopping $597.4 million from international markets. This total eclipses the $955.77 million lifetime gross of Doctor Strange 2 , making Despicable Me 4 the tenth highest-grossing film worldwide in the post-COVID era.
Considering that Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was one of Marvel’s most expensive productions and a key piece of their multiverse saga, Despicable Me 4 ‘s victory is remarkable.
It is also a sign of how far animated films have come in the global market. Marvel’s film was driven by star power with Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, and Benedict Wong reprising their roles, but Despicable Me 4 managed to edge it out thanks to its family-friendly appeal and iconic characters.
At the domestic level, Despicable Me 4 achieved a stellar $75 million on its opening weekend, which accounts for 20.8% of its total gross.
With a production budget of $100 million, the movie has already earned nearly ten times its initial investment, a feat that highlights its commercial success. Its domestic share represents 37.8% of the total box office haul, while its international gross continues to grow steadily.
Here’s a look at some key box office metrics for Despicable Me 4 :
Metric | Amount |
---|---|
Opening Weekend | $75,009,210 |
Domestic Gross | $361 million |
International Gross | $597.4 million |
Worldwide Gross | $958.4 million |
Production Budget | $100 million |
Domestic Box Office Share | 37.8% |
Total Markets | 82 |
Weeks in Theaters | 16 weeks (so far) |
Despicable Me 4 sees the return of Gru, voiced by Steve Carell , as he navigates life as a father and an agent of the Anti-Villain League.
Gru is joined by his wife, Lucy, their three adopted daughters Margo, Edith, and Agnes, and their newest family member, Gru Jr., who seems determined to make his father’s life more complicated.
The plot takes a wild turn when the family is forced to go on the run after becoming targets of escaped criminal Maxime Le Mal, a half-cyborg classmate of Gru, who holds a long-standing grudge.
Along with his femme fatale girlfriend Valentina, Maxime chases Gru, Lucy, and the Minions across the globe in a series of hilarious and action-packed escapades.
As expected, the movie is filled with slapstick comedy, heartwarming moments, and Minion mayhem, making it a hit among audiences of all ages.
With Despicable Me 4 ‘s success, the entire Despicable Me/Minions franchise has crossed an incredible $5 billion in global ticket sales, making it the highest-grossing animated franchise of all time.
This milestone cements Illumination’s dominance in the world of animation, with the studio competing with the likes of Pixar and DreamWorks.
One of the secrets to the film’s success is its appeal across different demographics. While primarily a children’s movie, the humor, emotional moments, and nostalgic callbacks to previous films have helped keep older audiences engaged.
The success also reflects how animated films have become mainstream entertainment for all ages.
Despite its success, Despicable Me 4 faced stiff competition from some major films released around the same time.
Disney/Pixar’s Inside Out 2 grossed $1.69 billion, making it the top-grossing film of the year so far. Meanwhile, Deadpool & Wolverine , an R-rated action-comedy, has also earned an impressive $1.33 billion.
Yet, despite these heavy hitters, Despicable Me 4 has carved out a strong place in the global box office. It has continually performed well since its release, thanks to its family-friendly content and multi-generational fanbase.
Even as newer films have hit theaters, Despicable Me 4 has stayed strong, showing its legs at the box office.
With such an impressive box office performance, it’s clear that the Despicable Me franchise still has a lot of life left. Steve Carell, who has been an integral part of the series, has seen his salary grow with each film, reportedly earning between $15 to $20 million for the most recent entries.
The film’s success , coupled with toy tie-ins and lucrative merchandise deals like the BTS-Minions crossover, shows that the brand continues to be a cultural and commercial phenomenon.
In summary, Despicable Me 4 has proven to be a critical and commercial triumph, with impressive box office numbers and a dedicated fanbase.
As Despicable Me 4 continues its box office journey, it is clear that Gru and his Minions still have what it takes to capture the hearts (and wallets) of audiences worldwide.
Lover of hiking, biking, horror movies, cats and camping. Writer at Wide Open Country, Holler and Nashville Gab.
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