Would theaters even be operating if not for animated films? It’s a fair question, heavily reinforced by this weekend when “Despicable Me 4” (Universal) and “ Inside Out 2 ” (Disney) combined to gross $105 million. So far in 2024, animated features have grossed a little under $1 billion, more than 25 percent of the total gross. Take that amount away, it’s hard to imagine most theaters staying afloat.
That’s a big increase from 2023, when similar releases made up around 18 percent. The sixth entry in the “Despicable Me/Minions” franchise grossed about $75 million for the three day weekend, $122.6 million total for five days to take #1 with ease.
“Inside Out 2” took second with $30 million, down only 48 percent despite strong new competition. That comes to more than two thirds of the $157 million total. With “A Quiet Place: Day One” (Paramount) taking in $21 million for third place in its second weekend, three films grossed over $20 million for the first time since July last year.
That once was not uncommon — five times in summer 2019, four times last year, including once with four over that gross. Here’s another statistic buried in the numbers that represents both positive and scary news for the movie industry. 90 percent of the gross this weekend came from sequels or other ongoing franchise titles, more if one adds in Kevin Costner’s “Horizon,” part one of at least two planned films.
It’s essential for theaters to have these to reach the s.
