Will 'Minions & Monsters' dominate the holiday box office?

'Minions & Monsters' targets an $80 million holiday debut as Supergirl braces for a sharp box office decline

 

Minions & Monsters is projected to lead the North American box office over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, with industry estimates placing the animated sequel's five-day opening at approximately $80 million.

The latest entry in Illumination and Universal Pictures' Despicable Me franchise is debuting in around 4,000 theatres, although forecasts currently range from $60 million to $90 million.

The film arrives as cinema attendance is expected to be softer than usual for the holiday period. Industry analysts suggest Independence Day celebrations and FIFA World Cup matches could reduce cinema traffic during the traditionally busy weekend.

Despite the modest projections compared with previous franchise instalments, Minions & Monsters is expected to top the domestic box office. Recent entries, including Minions: The Rise of Gru and Despicable Me 4, both opened above $120 million over the extended Fourth of July frame before becoming major global hits.

Elsewhere, Angel Studios' historical drama Young Washington is tracking for an opening between $15 million and $20 million. Meanwhile, Disney's Toy Story 5 is expected to earn $35 million to $45 million in its third weekend after surpassing $585 million worldwide.

Warner Bros. and DC Studios' Supergirl is forecast to experience one of the weekend's biggest declines. Following a $37.1 million domestic debut, the superhero film is expected to drop around 60%, bringing in roughly $15 million during its second weekend. The film has earned $62 million globally so far against a reported $170 million production budget.

Directed by Pierre Coffin, Minions & Monsters is set in 1920 and follows the Minions as they pursue careers in early Hollywood. The animated feature has already opened in select international markets and is expanding globally throughout the holiday weekend.