“Minions & Monsters” narrowly claimed the Fourth of July weekend box office crown, but the film’s victory came with an asterisk, as the latest entry in Universal and Illumination’s “Despicable Me” franchise posted surprisingly weak numbers despite finishing ahead of the juggernaut “Toy Story 5.”
The seventh film in the animated series earned $36.4 million during the three-day weekend period and $61.4 million over its five-day domestic opening, marking the lowest start in the franchise’s 16-year history. “Toy Story 5” earned $31 million over the same three-day stretch in its third week of release, bringing its domestic total to $366 million and its global total to $764 million. The margin of victory between the two family films was closer than many had anticipated, reflecting a more competitive marketplace than typical for a major holiday weekend.
Studio expectations had been considerably higher for “Minions & Monsters,” which had been tracking toward an $80 million five-day opening. Several factors contributed to the film’s disappointing domestic performance. The July Fourth holiday landing on a Saturday meant that millions of Americans chose to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday with barbecues and fireworks rather than moviegoing. Industry observers estimated that overall ticket sales reached approximately $121 million across Friday and Sunday, far below the typical $150 million to $200 million range for an Independence Day weekend.
The prequel, set in 1920s Hollywood, follows the Minions as they pursue careers in silent filmmaking and later encounter monsters for a creature feature. Despite its underperformance domestically, the film was warmly received by critics and audiences alike, holding a 91 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes and earning an “A-” CinemaScore. Directed by series co-creator Pierre Coffin, the film received praise for its sophisticated humor and visual gags.
Yet the domestic stumble has sparked conversations about possible franchise fatigue. The “Despicable Me” universe has produced seven films in just 16 years, with new installments arriving roughly every two years. This contrasts sharply with “Toy Story,” which has released only five films across three decades. Analysts point to this scarcity as a key factor in “Toy Story 5’s” continued strength and audience appetite.
The film’s two most recent predecessors had posted dramatically stronger July Fourth weekend numbers. “Minions: The Rise of Gru” opened to $123 million over five days in 2022, benefiting from the viral “#GentleMinions” trend that encouraged teenage moviegoers to dress in suits for theatrical screenings. “Despicable Me 4” launched to $122 million in 2024. Both went on to earn approximately $940 million and $972 million globally, respectively.
“Minions & Monsters” did find stronger footing internationally, where the franchise has historically thrived. The film earned $86 million to $98 million overseas across 71 markets during its opening weekend, bringing its worldwide total to approximately $160 million. Top international markets included China with $16.3 million, Germany with $6.4 million, and the United Kingdom and Ireland with $5.8 million. The production budget of $85 million means the film is already profitable on a worldwide basis, even with its domestic shortfall.
Several other films competed for audience attention over the holiday frame. Angel Studios’ patriotic historical drama “Young Washington,” timed to America’s 250th anniversary and starring William Franklyn-Miller as the young George Washington, emerged as a surprise third-place performer with approximately $20.8 million from 2,700 theaters. The film earned an “A” CinemaScore from audiences and demonstrated appeal for viewers seeking patriotic alternatives to franchise fare.
“Supergirl,” the DC Studios superhero film that had disappointed audiences the previous weekend, continued its slide with a 74 percent drop to $9.6 million in its second weekend. The film has become one of this year’s notable box office missteps.
While “Minions & Monsters” underperformed expectations domestically, industry analysts expect the franchise to demonstrate the staying power it has shown in previous summers. The film’s strong critical reception and international appeal suggest it could maintain healthy box office momentum in the weeks ahead, particularly before Disney’s live-action “Moana” remake arrives later in July to compete for family audiences.
For now, the competition between the two animated juggernauts illustrated that despite clear market dominance, even the most reliable franchise entries face headwinds when faced with audiences looking for alternative ways to celebrate Independence Day.