‘Despicable Me 4,’ ‘Inside Out 2’ Dominate July 4th Holiday Weekend

Gru and his Minions are back to uplift spirits during a tense July 4th holiday as Despicable Me 4 and Inside Out 2 are set to dominate the weekend box office.

The environment always plays a crucial role in understanding the box office dynamics. Big franchise sequels with broad appeal and a big-screen experience are a winning combination, serving as cinematic “comfort food” during these times.

With recent court rulings, political tensions, and economic pressures, this year’s July 4th feels surreal, almost like a movie plot.

However, as economic pressures ease, the public seeks entertainment that offers an escape from the daily barrage of troubling news.

Turning to animated family entertainment, the box office is seeing blockbuster results, breaking an extended slump.

Illumination and Universal’s sixth installment in the Despicable Me/Minions series has received an A grade from audiences via Cinemascore, offsetting its mixed critical reception, which sits at 55% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Domestically, Despicable Me 4 aims for $90-100 million in North America through Sunday and should surpass $200 million worldwide by the end of the holiday weekend.

Looking ahead, Despicable Me 4 will hit significant markets such as China, Japan, the UK, France, and Germany in the coming weeks. This assures strong international box office performance, making it a potential contender for a billion-dollar gross this summer, likely becoming the second-highest grossing film of the year after Inside Out 2.

However, rankings may shift when Deadpool & Wolverine arrives on July 26, promising a massive summer debut. Expectations are high, with an estimated $300 million worldwide, possibly more.

Inside Out 2 entered the July 4th weekend just shy of $1.1 billion worldwide and is projected to add $33 million domestically, pushing its global total to between $1.15-1.2 billion by Sunday. This does not include sales from China, where morning screenings will boost Pixar’s blockbuster even higher.

Meanwhile, A Quiet Place: Day One aims for a $162 million total through the holiday weekend after an impressive opening. Although it experienced a steeper drop than its predecessors, it remains close to the first film’s box office total at the same point.

Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 continues its disappointing run, struggling to add $6 million domestically over the holiday.

On the other hand, Bad Boys: Ride or Die remains steady in the top five at the box office and is nearing a $350 million total this weekend. Despite less media attention compared to Inside Out 2, Ride or Die showcases Will Smith’s enduring star power in beloved franchises.

Looking at long-term prospects, Inside Out 2, Despicable Me 4, and Deadpool & Wolverine are strong contenders for the biggest films of the year. They are expected to be among the few billion-dollar earners, making them the summer’s major hits.

Source: Forbes