Minions & Monsters pulled in $63.5 million over the five-day July 4 weekend in North America, marking the lowest opening in the Despicable Me franchise’s history. The seventh installment arrived Wednesday and led the holiday box office, but fell short of studio hopes for an $80 million domestic frame.

The franchise faced headwinds. Previous July 4 releases grabbed bigger numbers: Despicable Me 2 in 2013 earned $143 million, The Rise of Gru in 2022 hit $123 million, and Despicable Me 4 in 2024 landed $122.6 million. World Cup matches drew some audiences away from theaters, and Independence Day celebrations split attention.

Why Audiences Still Showed Up

Minions & Monsters earned an A- CinemaScore from audiences and holds a 90% certified fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film resonated enough that repeat viewings could help its run. A strong critical reception doesn’t always predict box office dominance, but it suggests the film could hold better through its theatrical window than recent franchise entries.

What Comes Next

Global earnings told a different story. The film cleared at least $101 million worldwide with $37.6 million from 10 international territories. International markets are performing better than domestic, a pattern that suggests future installments may depend less on US household names and more on the universal appeal of Illumination’s visual style.

The Bigger Picture

This opening reflects a broader shift in summer blockbuster expectations. Family franchises still lead, but audiences are pickier. A 90% fresh rating doesn’t guarantee $100 million domestic anymore. Box office analysts expect the film will post a decent second weekend, but momentum matters more than opening week.

Minions & Monsters remains the holiday weekend’s top performer, even as the franchise grapples with changing audience habits and cultural moments that now compete for viewers’ time.