Via:Ballerstatus
“Despicable Me” was a hit at the box office over the weekend, making an impressive debut in 3D animated films for Universal Pictures … and beating out a brand new film in the “Predator” franchise.
The animated “Despicable Me” took in $60.1 million. It stars Steve Carell as the voice of Gru, a bumbling villain with plans to steal the moon — until three adorable orphan girls enter his life. Jason Segel, Russell Brand and Julie Andrews are among the star-studded voice cast.
Universal was surprised by the film’s success.
“Thirty (million) would have been a win for the studio — because it’s a new creative idea, we really didn’t know what we had, so we backed in saying $30 (million),” Nikki Rocco, head of distribution for Universal, told the Associated Press. “I would never have said $50 million-plus.”
The week’s other new wide release was “Predators.” It came in at #3 with $25.3 million. It’s yet another film in the franchise, but this time stars Adrien Brody and Laurence Fishburne as mercenaries being stalked by alien hunters in the jungle.
Director Robert Rodriguez (“Planet Terror,” the “Spy Kids” movies) was behind the film. He reportedly produced the film at his Texas compound.
Ahead of “Predators” was “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse,” falling to #2 in its second weekend. However, it’s already raked in $237 million domestically.
At #4 was “Toy Story 3” with $22 million, and closing out the top 5 was “The Last Airbender” with $17.15 million.
That wraps things up this weekend. Next weekend, look out for the release of the Nicolas Cage fantasy “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” and the sci-fi action “Inception” starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Ellen Page.
This weekend’s top 10 is as follows:
1 – “Despicable Me,” $60.1 million.
2 – “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse,” $33.35 million.
3 – “Predators,” $25.3 million.
4 – “Toy Story 3,” $22 million.
5 – “The Last Airbender,” $17.15 million.
6 – “Grown Ups,” $16.4 million.
7 – “Knight and Day,” $7.85 million.
8 – “The Karate Kid,” $5.7 million.
9 – “The A-Team,” $1.8 million.
10 – “Cyrus,” $1.4 million.
