Breaking News: Minions Grosses P189-M in 5 Days, Biggest Ever Animation Opening in PH

MANILA, July 13, 2015 – On a mission to steal the Queen’s crown, the Minions handily snatched the box-office crown as well! Universal Pictures’ “Minions” now holds the record of the All-time Biggest Opening Weekend for an Animation Title after grossing a spectacular P189-million in five days (July 8 to 12). Ironically, “Minions” took the crown from its predecessor, 2013’s “Despicable Me 2” (P125.7-M).

This was announced today by a spokesman of United International Pictures (UIP) which distributed the film through Columbia Pictures.

The domination began Wednesday July 8 when the spinoff to “Despicable Me” debuted with P22.8-M, breaking the record set by 2011’s “Rio” for the Biggest Opening Day Ever for an animated feature.

What followed is a succession of daily demolished records: Biggest Thursday (P22.9-M), Biggest Friday (P32-M), Biggest Saturday(P58.9-M) and Biggest Sunday (P52.2-M).

Top-notch entertainment value, excellent brand familiarity and immense likability of lead characters Kevin, Bob and Stuart all contributed to the success of “Minions.” UIP also spearheaded a monumental marketing campaign, even flying in the “characters” for TV and mall appearances. The film’s in-store tie-up with McDonald’s likewise created a viral buzz that overlapped from social media to legitimate news involving the much-coveted Minions toys.

Trinoma topped the list of highest-grossing cinemas with P6.9-M, followed by SM North EDSA (P6.7-M) and SM Megamall (P6.4-M).

Fourth to tenth rankings are claimed by SM Mall of Asia (P6-M), Glorietta 4 (P4-M), Greenbelt 3 (P3.7-M), Alabang Town Center (P3.7-M), SM Cebu (P3.5-M), SM Dasmarinas (P3.2-M) and Eastwood (P3-M).

Also reporting impressive sales are Market! Market! (P2.9-M), Robinsons Magnolia (P2.8-M), Bonifacio High Street (P2.8-M), Power Plant (P2.8-M), SM Southmall (P2.8-M), Fairview Terraces (P2.7-M), SM Baguio (P2.7-M), Shang Cineplex (P2.6-M), SM Marikina (P2.6-M), Ayala Cebu (P2.6-M) and Greenhills Promenande (P2.6-M).

Cinemas that reached the P2.5-M mark are SM San Lazaro, SM Fairview, SM Aura and SM Taguig.

In the U.S., “Minions” ruled the weekend box office, racking up a massive $115.2 million, for the second biggest animated film opening in history.

“With anything that opens to over $100 million, you breach all demographics,” said Jeff Bock, an analyst with Exhibitor Relations. “The Minions are the stars of the ‘Despicable Me’ franchise…kids love them, teens love them, and adults love them.”

In recent months, there’s been a lot of celebrating taking place on the Universal lot. The studio is the leader in market share thanks to hits like “Pitch Perfect 2″ and “Fifty Shades of Grey,” and has two films that have crossed $1 billion at the global box office with “Furious 7″ and “Jurassic World.”

The story of Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s “Minions” begins at the dawn of time. Starting as single-celled yellow organisms, Minions evolve through the ages, perpetually serving the most despicable of masters. Continuously unsuccessful at keeping these masters—from T. rex to Napoleon—the Minions find themselves without someone to serve and fall into a deep depression.

But one Minion named Kevin has a plan, and he—alongside teenage rebel Stuart and lovable little Bob—ventures out into the world to find a new evil boss for his brethren to follow.

The trio embarks upon a thrilling journey that ultimately leads them to their next potential master, Scarlet Overkill (Academy Award® winner Sandra Bullock), the world’s first-ever female super-villain. They travel from frigid Antarctica to 1960s New York City, ending in mod London, where they must face their biggest challenge to date: saving all of Minionkind…from annihilation.

Now playing across the Philippines, “Minions” is distributed by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.