‘Despicable Me 2’ tops American box office

Agence France-Presse

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Gru and his minions reign the US box office

CUTE GIBBERISH. Catch the minions in 'Despicable Me 2.' Image from the movie's Facebook page

LOS ANGELES, USA – “Despicable Me 2,” a sequel to the 2010 animated blockbuster, was far and away the top movie at North American cinemas over the July 4 holiday weekend, industry estimates showed Sunday.

READ: Antics, daddy woes in ‘Despicable Me 2’

The comedy, starring villain-turned-doting-father Gru (voiced by Steve Carell) and his adorable little yellow minions, raked in an impressive US$82.5 million beginning Friday.

Watch this mini-movie starring the Minions and a banana:

That put it nearly 3 times ahead of its nearest rival, “The Lone Ranger.” Another new release, the film starring Johnny Depp as the iconic sidekick Tonto debuted with US$29.4 million from Friday, according to industry tracker Exhibitor Relations.

Third place went to buddy flick “The Heat” starring Sandra Bullock as a talented but haughty FBI agent and Melissa McCarthy as a rough-and-ready Boston cop, with US$25 million.

“Monsters University,” a prequel to Pixar’s 2001 hit “Monsters, Inc.,” dropped to 4th place after two weeks in number one, with US$19.6 million.

The animated movie that tells how monster buddies Mike and Sulley became friends and honed their scaring skills has earned US$216.1 million since it opened in the US 3 weeks ago.

“World War Z,” starring Brad Pitt as a former UN investigator trying to save the world from a zombie invasion, took in US$18.2, good enough for 5th place.

Next was Roland Emmerich’s “White House Down,” about a paramilitary group that tries to seize the White House. It garnered US$13.5 million in its second week.

“Man of Steel,” the Superman reboot starring Henry Cavill, dropped to 7th place, with US$11.4 million, and a total of US$271 million over 4 weeks.

Another newcomer, “Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain,” featuring material from a Madison Square Garden performance by the stand-up comedian, opened with US$10.1 million, for 8th place.

“This is the End,” about a group of friends invited to a party who become witnesses to the Apocalypse, was in 9th place with US$5.8 million.

Roudning out the top 10, “Now You See Me,” about an FBI agent and an Interpol detective who hunts down a team of bank robbing illusionists, earned US$2.8 million. – Rappler.com

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