Categories: Box OfficeMovie News

“Minions” Dominates Friday Box Office; “The Gallows” Starts Modestly, “Self/Less” Flops

Despite receiving only modest critical enthusiasm, “Minions” resonated significantly with moviegoers. And after a strong Friday performance, the film is on track for an opening weekend in the $120 million territory.

The “Despicable Me” prequel/spin-off earned a whopping $46.2 million in Friday receipts. Thanks to its appeal to matinee-going families, it will remain hot throughout the weekend.

Even if it completely cooled off, it would have no trouble claiming a dominant #1 at the weekend box office.

“Inside Out,” the next-best Friday performer, earned only $5.4 million. #3 film “Jurassic World” enjoyed a similar $5.4 million haul. Since both are expected to earn $18-20 million this weekend, neither film’s weekend total will even be able to compete with the Friday “Minions” gross.

“The Gallows” ranked as Friday’s #4 film. The critically panned new horror release earned a modest $4.5 million.

Fifth on Friday ($4.1 million), “Terminator: Genisys” may overtake “The Gallows” by the time the weekend concludes.

New release “Self/Less,” which was also panned by critics, claimed #7 on Friday. It earned a paltry $2.0 million and will barely break $5 million for the weekend.

— “Despicable Me” earned $21.3 million on its first Friday and $56.4 million in its first weekend. “Despicable Me 2,” which had a Wednesday release, grossed $30.5 million on its first Friday and $83.5 million in its first weekend (its gross was up to $143.1 million at that point).

Brian Cantor

Brian Cantor is the editor-in-chief for Headline Planet. He has been a leading reporter in the music, movie, television and sporting spaces since 2002. Brian's reporting has been cited by major websites like BuzzFeed, Billboard, the New Yorker and The Fader -- and shared by celebrities like Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj. Contact Brian at brian.cantor[at]headlineplanet.com.

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Brian Cantor