The recent child of Universal Studios and Illumination Entertainment, Minions barged hard into China with an estimated $20.1 million, making it the biggest opening day for an animated film in the country by a pretty high margin. Their inauguration grossed roughly 50% higher than second place Kung Fu Panda 2 and 40% higher than Despicable Me 2 back in January 2014, despite the first Despicable Me never being released in China.
In terms of local currency, Minions’ first day also jumps 44% higher than the Chinese summer blockbuster Monkey King: Hero is Back, which set a record as the most grossing Chinese animation of all time.
For the full weekend, the international estimate for the movie is $26.1 million in 57 territories accumulating to $748.5 million. Add in the US gross of $331.6 million, the grand total leads up to a whopping $1.08 billion, passing Toy Story 3’s $1.064 billion and well on the way to becoming the second highest grossing animated film of all time.