'The Secret Life of Pets' Shatters Expectations With Massive $103.2 Million Opening

Illumination Entertainment and Universal Pictures’ “The Secret Life of Pets” made an estimated $103.2 million during its three-day debut, earning the sixth-biggest opening weekend of all time for an animated feature — ahead of Disney-Pixar’s “Inside Out.”

The animated original easily dethroned Disney-Pixar’s “Finding Dory” from the top spot and far surpassed even the highest predictions.

The studio initially expected “Secret Life of Pets” to open north of its “Despicable Me” numbers from 2010 ($56.4 million), but experts were putting its debut weekend somewhere north of $80 million.

Also Read: 'The Secret Life of Pets' Barrels Toward Big Opening With $38.3 Million on Friday

The lead character in “Secret Life of Pets” is a terrier named Max, voiced by Louis C.K., who embarks on an odyssey through New York City with his newly adopted roommate Duke — a massive furry brown dog voiced by Eric Stonestreet. The rest of the film is dedicated to their attempt to get back home.

The film, which played over the weekend in 4,370 locations, has a favorable Metascore of 61 from Metacritic, which weights an average score among top critics. The animated feature also has a strong A- Cinemascore.

Fox’s R-rated comedy “Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates” also beat expectations, grossing an estimated $16.6 million from 2,982 locations. Forecasts initially had the film opening in the low double digits.

Also Read: 'The Secret Life of Pets' Review: Illumination's Latest Is Funny, Furry, Forgettable

The movie starring Zac Efron, Anna Kendrick and Aubrey Plaza was made for $33 million before marketing costs.

Director Jake Szymansk’s debut feature stars Kendrick and Plaza as a couple of hapless friends who agree to be the wedding dates for two guys played by Efron and Adam Devine. Their main motivation is the free trip to Hawaii that comes with the job.

The film has a mixed Metascore of 51 and a B Cinemascore.

The Top Five:
1. “The Secret Life Of Pets” (Universal) — $103.2 million in Week 1 ($103.2 million total)
2. “The Legend of Tarzan” (Warner Bros.) — $20.6 million in Week 2 ($81.4 million total)
3. “Finding Dory” (Disney) — $20.4 million in Week 4 ($422.6 million total)
4. “Mike And Dave Need Wedding Dates” (20th Century Fox) — $16.6 million in Week 1 ($16.6 million total)
5. “Purge: Election Year” (Universal) — $11.7 million in Week 2 ($58.1 million total)

13 Famous Voices Behind the Furry Characters in 'Secret Life of Pets' (Photos)

Louis C.K. ("Max")
Known for his work on FX's "Louie" and the self-produced "Horace and Pete," the famed comedian makes his animated debut in "The Secret Life of Pets" as the film's Jack Russell Terrier protagonist, Max.
Wikipedia
Eric Stonestreet (Duke)
The Emmy-nominated "Modern Family" actor voices Max's Newfoundland canine roommate, Duke.
Disney Wikia
Kevin Hart (Snowball)
One of Hollywood's most bankable stars, Hart has already dominated the summer with "Central Intelligence." It was only a matter of time before he made his way to animation as the villainous bunny Snowball. Hart is also scheduled to voice a character in next year's DreamWorks flick "Captain Underpants."
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Steve Coogan (Ozone)
Before Coogan performed in films like 'Philomena' and 'Alan Partridge,' the British actor worked as a voice artist on the satirical puppet show 'Spitting Image.' In 'Pets,' Coogan's vocal expertise returns, playing the Sphynx cat Ozone.
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Ellie Kemper (Katie)
Having voiced characters on TBS' "American Dad" and HBO's "Animals," the "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" star continues to use her perky vocals as Katie, Max and Duke's kind human owner.
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Bobby Moynihan (Mel)
Moynihan put his voice to work in two Pixar films -- "Monsters University" and "Inside Out." In his latest animated outing, the "SNL" performer plays the hyperactive pug, Mel.
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Lake Bell (Chloe)
The New York-based actress/writer/director knows a thing or two about voice acting -- she played an aspiring voiceover artist in her 2013 feature debut, "In a World." With "Pets," Bell continues her vocal work as an apathetic tabby cat, Chloe.
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Dana Carvey (Pops)
The "SNL" alum has had some experience in vocal acting, voicing animated characters on "The Fairly OddParents" "Hotel Transylvania 2," and "Rick and Morty." In "Pets," he plays the elderly Basset Hound, Pops.
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Hannibal Buress (Buddy)
The stand-up comic already contributed his voice in this year's "The Angry Birds Movie," and now continues his animated streak as dachshund Mel.
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Jenny Slate (Gidget)
The "Obvious Child" actress is notable for her dynamic vocals, having voiced characters in "Zootopia," "The Lorax" and "Marcel the Shell with Shoes On," a collection of short films she co-created. Slate's voice can now be heard through the white Pomeranian Gidget.
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Albert Brooks (Tiberius)
Though Brooks is known for his roles in "Defending Your Life" and "Drive," one of the actor/director's most famous turns comes from voicing Marlin in Pixar's "Finding Nemo" and "Finding Dory." In "Pets," Brooks continues to utilize his voice as the red-tailed hawk Tiberius.
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Tara Strong (Sweet Pea)
A professional voice artist, Strong has been in multiple Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network shows, from "The Powerpuff Girls" and "The Fairly OddParents" to "Teen Titans." In "Pets," Strong provides the voice of the parakeet Sweet Pea and other additional characters.
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Chris Renaud (Norman)
The co-director of "The Secret Life of Pets" lent his voice to the "Despicable Me" movies and the "Minions" spinoff. Renaud makes a cameo in "Pets" as the guinea pig Norman.
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From Louis C.K.’s Jack Russell Terrier protagonist to Kevin Hart as villainous bunny Snowball, there’s a whole pack of Hollywood stars bringing Illumination Entertainment’s animated movie to life

Louis C.K. ("Max")
Known for his work on FX's "Louie" and the self-produced "Horace and Pete," the famed comedian makes his animated debut in "The Secret Life of Pets" as the film's Jack Russell Terrier protagonist, Max.

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13 Famous Voices Behind the Furry Characters in 'Secret Life of Pets' (Photos)

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