This summer, the box office is buzzing with major hits and surprises. Illumination and Universal’s Despicable Me 4 continues to lead, amassing US$211.1 million domestically in its second weekend from 4,449 theatres in North America. The film also excelled overseas, pulling in US$88 million from 78 markets, bringing its global total to US$437.8 million.

Notably, the Despicable Me/Minions franchise has now surpassed US$5 billion in global ticket sales, marking a historic achievement for animated films. This comes as Illumination reveals plans for a Minions 3.

Amidst the animation success, Neon’s Longlegs made a significant splash, earning US$22.6 million in its opening weekend — the largest debut for an independent horror film in a decade. Starring Maika Monroe and Nicolas Cage, the film played in 2,510 North American cinemas. It’s not only a milestone for Neon, also known for Parasite (2019) and Anatomy of a Fall (2023), but marks Cage’s most significant opening since 2007’s National Treasure: Book of Secrets and stands as the top R-rated opening of 2024.

Longlegs, directed by Osgood Perkins (I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House), has impressed audiences and critics alike, achieving remarkable ticket sales of US$10 million on Friday alone. The film’s success is notable, especially considering its C+ Cinemascore, typical for the horror genre.

Meanwhile, Inside Out 2 is on its way to becoming the top-grossing animated film of all time, already securing the title of the highest-grossing Pixar film with a global total of US$1.35 billion. In its fifth weekend, it earned US$20.8 million domestically, contributing to a total of US$572.6 million in North America. Internationally, it added US$50.2 million, pushing its overseas total to US$777.5 million. The film is yet to debut in Japan, but expected to perform well.

Other box office contenders include A Quiet Place: Day One, which grossed US$11.8 million domestically in its latest weekend, totalling US$116.2 million.

Apple Original Films also entered the mix with Fly Me to the Moon, a romantic comedy set in the space age, starring Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum. Opening in 3,356 North American locations, the film garnered a modest US$10 million. Targeted primarily at older adults, over half of its audience was aged 45 or older.

Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, games, and comics — you name it. When she’s not reading or geeking out about the latest shows on Netflix, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of meeting her idols.