Minions Franchise Fades: Lowest Opening Ever

The "Despicable Me" franchise, known for its yellow Minion characters, is experiencing a decline in its star power. The latest installment, "Minions & Monsters," which is set in 1920s Hollywood, opened with $36 million domestically, marking the lowest debut in the franchise's history. This figure falls far short of projections and previous films like "Minions: The Rise of Gru" and "Despicable Me 4," which both opened to over $120 million. Industry watchers suggest the franchise's frequent releases, with seven chapters in 16 years, may be leading to audience fatigue, unlike the more spaced-out "Toy Story" series.

Despite the disappointing domestic performance, "Minions & Monsters" achieved $86 million internationally over the weekend, contributing to a worldwide total of $159.8 million. The film, produced for $85 million, received positive reviews with a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an "A-" on CinemaScore. However, analysts like David A. Gross consider it a "misfire" due to audience fatigue, even though it is expected to be profitable. Elsewhere, the superhero film "Supergirl" endured a severe 76% decline, earning only $8.7 million. With a $170 million budget, it is projected to lose between $100 million and $120 million. The historical drama "Young Washington" performed well, earning $20.8 million domestically, appealing to a patriotic and faith-based audience.