Things got better for the minions of “Despicable Me 2” and worse for Johnny Depp, Armie Hammer and “The Lone Ranger” on Friday, as the animated sequel took in another $30 million.
That puts it on pace for around $77 million for the weekend, and a $140 million haul for the five-day July 4 weekend, roughly $30 million more than analysts had projected. The $76 million Universal-Illumination Entertainment production also has taken in nearly $94 million from 45 foreign markets through Friday, and will pass $200 million worldwide Saturday
Disney’s adaptation of the classic radio and TV show, with Hammer as the title character and Depp as Tonto, brought in $10.6 million on Friday, and probably won't hit $50 million for the long holiday weekend.
That all but assures the action Western, from the “Pirates of the Caribbean team of producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Gore Verbinski, won’t recoup its $225 million budget and marketing costs. And it’s starting to feel “The Heat” as it tries to hang on to second place, with both looking at three-day totals in the $25 million range.
Fox’s Melissa McCarthy-Sandra Bullock cop comedy passed last week’s No. 1 film “Monsters University” with $8.6 million Friday. The Disney’s Pixar prequel did $7.1 million and is on course for a $21 million three-day total.
“World War Z” and “White House Down were next.
Brad Pitt‘s zombie thriller added another $6.2 million Friday, could top $20 million for the three days and has now taken in nearly $160 million in three weeks for Paramount.
Sony’s Channing Tatum-Jamie Foxx action epic brought in $4.6 million and will wind up at around $14 million for the three days. .
Also read: 'White House Down' Draws 100,000 Service Members to Free Screenings for the Military
The week’s other wide opener, Lionsgate and Summit’s “Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain,” and “Man of Steel” were close for seventh. The comedy concert film laughed its way to $3.7 million Friday at 876 theaters and is on pace for $10 million over the three days and around $17 million for the five days.
Warner Bros.’ blockbuster Superman sequel added $3.8 million Friday, and has accumulated more than $530 million worldwide in four weeks of release.