Despicable Me 4 reigns supreme at the U.K. and Ireland box office
Universal’s “Despicable Me 4” has claimed the top spot at the U.K. and Ireland box office, earning £8.8 million ($11.4 million) in its opening weekend, according to numbers from Comscore. The animated sequel’s strong debut pushed Disney’s “Inside Out 2” to second place after a five-week run, with the latter adding £2.2 million, bringing its running total to £44.4 million.
A closer look at the top contenders
Despicable Me 4: The latest installment in the beloved franchise continues to captivate audiences with its blend of humor and heart. Featuring the voices of Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, and Pierre Coffin, the film’s success is a testament to its enduring appeal. Watch the trailer.
Inside Out 2: Despite being dethroned, this Pixar sequel has had an impressive run. With Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, and Bill Hader reprising their roles, the film delves deeper into the complexities of human emotions. Watch the trailer.
Longlegs: This newcomer from Black Bear secured the third position with a £1.3 million opening. The film, starring Nicolas Cage and Maika Monroe, is a gripping thriller that has intrigued audiences. Watch the trailer.
Fly Me To The Moon: Debuting at No. 4, this Sony Pictures release collected £862,358. The film, featuring a stellar cast including Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling, is a romantic drama set against the backdrop of space exploration. Watch the trailer.
A Quiet Place: Day One: Holding steady in its third week, this Paramount release rounded out the top five with £824,948, bringing its cumulative total to £8 million. The prequel, starring Lupita Nyong’o and Joseph Quinn, continues to draw in horror enthusiasts. Watch the trailer.
Other notable entries
DJ Tech Ltd’s Tamil-language “Indian 2,” which opened at No. 6 with £213,245, plus a further £39,127 for its Telugu-dubbed version “Bharateeyudu 2,” showcases the growing popularity of regional cinema. Watch the trailer.
Sony Pictures’ “Bad Boys: Ride Or Die,” maintaining its presence in the chart after six weeks with a total of £11.5 million in seventh place, continues to entertain with its action-packed sequences and charismatic leads, Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. Watch the trailer.
Universal’s “The Bikeriders” with £130,871 and “MaXXXine” with £113,190 occupied the eighth and ninth spots, for totals of £3.5 million and £787,377 respectively. Watch the trailer for The Bikeriders and MaXXXine.
Altitude Film Distribution’s “In a Violent Nature” entered the chart at No. 10 with £101,730. Watch the trailer.
Upcoming releases to watch out for
Warner Bros.’ highly anticipated disaster film “Twisters” will touch down in over 300 locations on Wednesday, July 17. Theater enthusiasts can look forward to National Theatre’s “Present Laughter – NT Live 2019” on Thursday, July 18, a production of Noël Coward’s provocative comedy featuring Andrew Scott, bringing stage performances to the big screen.
Friday, July 19, sees a diverse lineup of releases:
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Shayda: Noora Niasari’s Sundance winner, starring Zar Amir Ebrahimi and Osamah Sami, tells the story of a young Iranian mother and her six-year-old daughter finding refuge in an Australian women’s shelter during the two weeks of the Iranian New Year. Watch the trailer.
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Blur: To the End: From Altitude, this documentary captures the band’s reunion. Watch the trailer.
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Forrest Gump: Paramount is opening a 30th anniversary 4K re-issue of the classic film. Watch the trailer.
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Crossing: Levan Akin’s Berlin winner is getting a theatrical release from Mubi. Watch the trailer.
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Thelma: Universal is opening this action-comedy. Watch the trailer.
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Chuck Chuck Baby: Directed by Janis Pugh and featuring Louise Brealey, this film played at Edinburgh and Toronto last year. Watch the trailer.
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Bad Newz: From Bollywood, Moviegoers Entertainment brings this comedy-romance starring Vicky Kaushal, Triptii Dimri, and Ammy Virk. Watch the trailer.
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Janet Planet: A24’s Berlinale-playing film, directed by Annie Baker and starring Julianne Nicholson, will debut in over 25 locations. Watch the trailer.
Reflecting on the cinematic landscape
The box office landscape is ever-evolving, with new releases constantly vying for the top spot. The success of “Despicable Me 4” and the continued popularity of films like “Inside Out 2” and “A Quiet Place: Day One” highlight the diverse tastes of audiences. As we look forward to upcoming releases, it’s clear that the world of cinema continues to offer something for everyone, from heartwarming animations to gripping thrillers and everything in between. The journey of these films, from their inception to their reception, is a testament to the power of storytelling and the magic of the movies.