It has been 14 years since Despicable Me first hit the theatres in 2010. On 5th July, 2024 the fourth installment in the franchise or ‘fourthquel’, began its theatrical run. Not much about the characters has changed. Of course, Gru is no more the bad guy. But he’s still the same. So are his girls, and the minions, as well as the movie’s stellar performance at the Box Office. The franchise has already broken some crazy Box Office records. And it is on the way to break some more.
Despicable Me 4’s marauding Box Office run
Despicable Me 4 has already raked in $500 million globally, surpassing fans’ as well as the makers’ expectations. After all, not many would expect a franchise to retain its original viewership and break the bank for subsequent movies (let alone the fact that this is the sixth movie in the franchise, including Minions and its sequel).
But the Steve Carell starrer has defied all odds, going on to register blockbuster earnings yet again. The franchise has already crossed the $5 billion mark. And with still a lot of time remaining before the 2024 flick’s engine dies down, only sky is the limit. And it looks on course to reach the zenith that many Marvel movies have failed to breach as of late.
Despicable Me 4 looks all set to break this animated franchise Box Office record
After a successful start to life, both domestically and globally, predictions for Despicable Me 4 are in, with some experts putting the numbers as high as $1-$1.1 billion.
‘DESPICABLE ME 4’ is tracking to earn $1B-$1.1B by the end of its theatrical run.
The film had a $100M budget. pic.twitter.com/LiyXaByRgP
— The Hollywood Handle (@HollywoodHandle) July 21, 2024
The mark is indeed one that can be breached by the franchise, taking into account how Despicable Me 3 also clocked $1 billion in earnings.
If it keeps up like this, This would make it the second highest grossing instalment in the series only behind Minions 2015.
— Jamie Pick (@Jamievaporeon) July 21, 2024
Pretty solid especially being that the Minions and Despicable Me have combined to be the highest grossing animated franchise ever and are still relevant to this day! It should keep getting better when Minions 3 opens in 3 years and so much more haha!
— Joe Stanley Kurp (@AirChitownJSK23) July 21, 2024
But it will set the records book ablaze for another reason. It will go on to become the first animated ‘fourthquel’ to breach the coveted $1 billion mark.
That’s pretty great for a fourthquel. No animated movie in the past made $1B from its fourth film.
— joey (@Fan_FlickOn) July 21, 2024
soooo cinema isnt dead
— Robert Downey Sr. (@NaangaYaaru) July 21, 2024
It’s Despicable Me, Of Course it will make a Billion dollars pic.twitter.com/ReA02TOUkn
— Dim Kilarov (@DKilarov) July 21, 2024
That is indeed a record to write home about.
Despicable Me 4’s success shows MCU the mirror
The Despicable Me franchise’s stellar record proves how having characters that stars can bond with has a telling effect on box office returns. Marvel Studios is having to find that out the hard way. Ever since the Infinity Saga wound to a close, the MCU, barring a few exceptions, has failed to hit the bar that many would expect it to.
While superhero fatigue (or even movie fatigue) was being touted as the reason for the dismal showing, Kevin Feige and Co. know better than anyone that the onus is on them to turn it around by introducing characters that people love, weaving stories that people can relate with, and coming out with projects that have what it takes to win fans over for the long run.
