US box office: historically low start for Minions 3

With only $61 million, the franchise posted its worst launch, despite the July 4 weekend. For its part, Supergirl suffered a brutal drop of 74% in the second week.

Two animated films in the first two places at the US box office: summer has well and truly begun!

Minions and Monsters takes the lead in the American rankings, but it’s difficult to call it a victory.

The prequel set in 1920s Hollywood only grossed $36 million between Friday and Monday. The film has a cumulative total of 64 million this evening, because it was released across the Atlantic exceptionally on Wednesday, in the run-up to the public holiday weekend celebrating Uncle Sam’s National Day. We are far from the 80 million hoped for by Universal and Illumination over these five days.

This is even the weakest start of the entire saga Despicable Me. Even the first film, released in 2010, did better with 56 million dollars over its first weekend (over 3 days, and without taking into account inflation), while it introduced the famous yellow creatures to the general public for the first time. One explanation is put forward by analysts: this year, July 4 fell on a Saturday, pushing many Americans to favor barbecues and fireworks organized to celebrate the 250 years of independence of the United States, rather than going to the cinema.

An argument which, however, is not sufficient to explain such a decline. The two previous parts had largely benefited from the same holiday weekend: Minions 2: Once upon a time Gru had opened to $123 million over five days in 2022, while Despicable Me 4 had started at 122 million in 2024.

Especially since the families do not seem to have deserted the rooms: Toy Story 5 loses its top spot but adds another 31 million in its third weekend and brings its total to 366 million in North America, for 764 million worldwide.

However, all is not dark for Universal. Minions and Monsters is off to an excellent start outside the United States and has already grossed nearly $160 million worldwide.

The franchise has also proven in the past that it has excellent durability over time. Especially since the film, directed by Pierre Coffin, also benefits from excellent critical feedback. Its budget, estimated at $85 million, is also slightly lower than that of previous episodes and will therefore be largely reimbursed upon arrival.

Despite everything, analysts retain the “false start“and argue that the franchise seems to be starting to run out of steam with this 7th film, believing that the public is starting to show”signs of fatigue“

The situation is much more worrying for Warner Bros. and DC Studios. After an already disappointing launch at $37.1 million last week, Supergirl collapsed 74% for its second weekend with only 9.6 million in revenue.

The blockbuster has now totaled $58.5 million in North America and $100.5 million worldwide, a very insufficient score considering its estimated budget of $170 million. Analysts now estimate that the film could lose the studio between 100 and 120 million dollars, or even more if it does not exceed 200 million in worldwide revenue.

This poor performance illustrates the growing difficulties of superhero films featuring characters less known to the general public.

Third place goes to YoungWashingtona historical biopic starring William Franklyn-Miller, Ben Kingsley and Andy Serkis. Distributed by the very conservative Angel studio, the film took full advantage of the Independence Day weekend and opened to $20.8 million in 2,700 theaters. This patriotic drama dedicated to the youth of George Washington should not be released in French theaters and was able to surf, on this July 4, on the patriotic desires of a part of the American public.

Finally, we will note the expected launch of the social comedy The Invite. Olivia Wilde’s new film enters the Top 10 with only 28 screens! After two weeks of limited release, the film has grossed $1.36 million before its national expansion scheduled for July 10. Remember that this dinner brings together Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton, in a biting comedy supported by critics.