Despicable Me 2 knocks out Grown Ups 2 and Pacific Rim at the box office

For a second weekend, the animated sequel Despicable Me 2 led at the US and International box office, with $44.8 million and $55.5 million respectively, bringing its global two-week total to a staggering $472.4 million. The movie features the voices of Steve Carell, Miranda Cosgrove and Kristen Wiig.

Not far behind was Adam Sandler’s ensemble comedy, Grown Ups 2, which bowed to a respectable $42.5 million at the US box office, in spite of the ravaging reviews. This was the second-best domestic opening for Sandler, after The Longest Yard’s $58 million debut in 2005.

The sequel reteams Sandler with Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, Salma Hayek and Maria Bello in a story about failing parents.

Defying predictions, tentpole Pacific Rim, didn’t flop, but it didn’t perform spectacularly either, opening only to $38.3 million in the US, to land in the third spot. These numbers are too far from the $190 million production cost. But help was at hand from the international market, where the monsters vs robots actioners ranked no. 2, with $53 million debut. The movie is yet to open in two major markets, China and Japan, so it will probably recoup its cost and even make a profit.

Jumping the $100 million domestically, The Heat claimed the 4th spot in the US box office with $14 million. The female cop comedy, starring Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy, also added $8.1 from the International market over the weekend to rank 8th there.

Lagging behind in the 5th place in the US was Johnny Depp’s flop, The Lone Ranger, grossing $11.1 million over the weekend. It was also ranked 7th overseas with $12.7 million. Having pulled just $119 million worldwide, the movie has little chance of recouping its $200 million production cost. Estimated loss on the film is expected to be at about $100 million, for half the revenue goes to the theatres.

Three weeks after its release, Monsters University was relegated to 6th place in the US with only $10.6, but it is still strong overseas, ranking no. 3 with $30.2 million. The film’s worldwide total stands at $474.1 million.

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