“Minions” beats “Toy Story 3” as 2nd highest grossing animation

PanARMENIAN.Net - The little yellow guys are moving dollars. Illumination Entertainment's "Minions" is officially the second-highest grossing animated movie of all time after opening to $20.1 million in China, AceShowbiz reports.

It was, at the same time, the biggest opening day for an animated film ever in China. Universal had tried to generate buzz since early August by hosting a roadshow for Kevin, Stuart and Bob at Chinese cinemas and holding Minions costume contest. The pill-shaped characters also visited the Great Wall where they went "bananas".

The big China debut pushed the movie's international gross to $748 million. With the U.S. total of $332 million, the Universal film raked in a total of $1.08 billion worldwide. Disney's "Toy Story 3" previously held the second position at $1.06 billion. "Frozen (2013)" is still holding strong to its top position with $1.28 billion. "Minions" will add to its number when it opens in Greece on September 24.

The animated movie's box office success contributes to Universal's overall triumph in 2015. The studio has a fruitful year thanks to "Jurassic World", "Furious 7", "Straight Outta Compton", "Pitch Perfect 2", and "Fifty Shades of Grey".