DESPICABLE ME 4 Is One of the Most Successful Movies Ever
By Movieguide® Contributor
DESPICABLE ME 4 is making waves across the globe as one of the “most successful films ever made.”
“This weekend, DESPICABLE ME 4 joined five of its predecessors in having passed the $900 million milestone at the global box office,” Collider reported. “The film also passed the $350 million milestone domestically, with its running total now standing at over $354 million. In overseas markets, the film has grossed nearly $560 million, which means that its cumulative global haul stands at nearly $914 million. In a few days, the movie should be able to overtake MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU’s $937 million lifetime haul.”
The movie has completed two months of release. It’s been available to stream on digital platforms for one month. Collider says most movies don’t make it to the third week of circulation; DESPICABLE ME 4 has made it to week nine. It’s only suffered a 4% drop from last weekend.
“The movie’s successful theatrical run — don’t forget, it debuted in the wake of the blockbuster INSIDE OUT 2 — has pushed the DESPICABLE ME franchise’s cumulative global box office revenue past the $5.5 billion mark,” Collider reported. “Barring the first DESPICABLE ME, which concluded its run with around $550 million worldwide in 2010, each subsequent installment, including the two spin-offs, has generated more than $900 million worldwide. Two films — DESPICABLE ME 3 and MINIONS — have grossed over $1 billion worldwide. This takes the franchise’s average global gross to an astounding $926 million.”
It’s the second-most successful movie of the year so far, beating DUNE 2 and coming in second to INSIDE OUT 2.
Compared to other blockbusters, DESPICABLE ME 4 comes pretty cheap. Disney paid $200 million for INSIDE OUT 2 and LIGHTYEAR, respectively. Universal has spent half that amount or less, down to $70 million, for each of their DESPICABLE ME movies. Their SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE only cost $100 million.
Part of Movieguide®’s review of the family movie reads:
DESPICABLE ME 4 is often hilarious. It focuses a lot on the comical chaos that the minions bring. DESPICABLE ME 4 has a strong moral, pro-family worldview. Gru protects his family and must save his son from the villain. Also, little Agnes refuses to tell a lie. However, much of the humor focuses on the comical slapstick chaos that the minions cause. So, MOVIEGUIDE® advises caution for younger children.
The movie’s director believes the relatable family aspects are part of the DESPICABLE ME’s appeal.
Director Chris Renaud said, “I had moved when I was 15, so the idea of that as the new family issue to solve had a lot of appeal. I also love these characters, and I hope that’s evident in the films I’ve worked on. The audience has a strong response, which I appreciate, but I love them, too, so that was another reason to come back.”
All of the first three DESPICABLE ME movies made it into Movieguide®’s Top Ten Movies for Families list. Universal and Renaud are working on a 5th installment of the franchise, as well as a 3rd MINIONS movie, which will come out in June 2027.
