Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s smash-hit film Minions has already raced past a milestone today at the international box-office ahead of its US opening this weekend, reports Variety.
In the US, the hit animated prequel took in around $6.2 million in Thursday night previews – the highest ever preview total for an animated film. If estimates hold, the film could open upwards of $42 million on Friday including those previews. Forecasters are predicting an opening weekend over at least $100 million, though many believe the film will open closer to $110 million, which would see it become the fourth movie in 2015 to open over $100 million alongside Fast & Furious 7, Avengers: Age of Ultron and record-breaker Jurassic World.
If Minions wants the biggest animated opening weekend, it needs to beat the $121.6 million gross of Shrek the Third in 2007, with Toy Story 3 just behind with $110. 3 million. Despicable Me 2 opened to $83.5 million in 2013 with a final domestic total of over $368 million.
Internationally, Minions passed $200 million after opening in 43 markets over the last week or so, including a record-breaking $18.1 million opening in the UK, the highest ever for an animated film.
With Minions set for the No.1 spot, the No.2 spot is up for grabs, with Disney/Pixar’s Inside Out, Universal’s box-office juggernaut Jurassic World and blockbuster sequel/reboot Terminator Genisys vying for the spot. Inside Out is set for an estimated $16 million weekend, with the others slightly behind.
Minions features the voice talents of Sandra Bullock (Gravity), Jon Hamm (Mad Men), Michael Keaton (Birdman), Steve Coogan (Despicable Me 2), Alison Janney (The Way, Way Back), Katy Mixon (Eastbound & Down) and Jennifer Saunders (Shrek 2).
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