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Three Bags Full: A Detective Sheep Movie is one of the more interesting films set to release next year, thanks to its unconventional premise and stellar ensemble cast. The movie had a special presentation at CinemaCon 2025 as part of Amazon MGM Studios' panel, where the film's star, Hugh Jackman (in a pre-recorded video), introduced audiences to the "whodunit" film before footage was shown for the movie. While it was initially slated for release in February 2026, a new report has revealed that the release date has now been pushed back by several months.

Deadline has reported that Three Bags Full has moved nine months back to a November 2026 release date, aiming for the holiday spot instead of the early 2026 release spot it once had. Amazon MGM Studios previously released their holiday blockbuster Red One, which starred Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans. Now, it seems that the studio is banking on attracting...

Hugh Jackman and Bryan Cranston's upcoming action comedy, Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie, is reportedly being delayed. The Kyle Balda-directed project was previously scheduled to hit the theaters on February 20, 2026. The plot follows George Hardy (Jackman) as a shepherd who reads his sheep murder mystery stories at night, unaware that they can understand him. When George was murdered, the sheep decided to solve his murder when the case landed in the hands of an inexperienced local cop.

According to Deadline, the release date of Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie has been moved to November 2026. Amazon MGM Studios reportedly shifted the movie's scheduled slot for February next year to a pre-Thanksgiving release date to pull in more families. The movie's new release date is November 13.

What This Means For Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie 2026's Thankgiving Just Got Interesting

Based on Leonie Swann's 2005 novel,...

Exclusive: We can tell you first that Amazon MGM Studios’ action comedy Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie is moving baa, err, back from Feb 20 next year to the Nov. 13, 2026 slot. Amazon MGM Studios has been in that pre-Thanksgiving corridor before with last year’s Dwayne Johnson-Chris Evans’ Santa Claus movie Red One. The reason behind the shift I hear is to pull in more families.

Currently, there’s only an untitled Universal movie on the pic’s new date.

The Kyle Balda directed, Craig Mazin written Working Title and Three Strange Angels production follows George Hardy (Hugh Jackman), a shepherd who loves his sheep and raises them only for their wool. Every night he reads aloud a murder mystery, pretending his sheep can understand, but never suspecting that not only can they understand but they argue for hours afterwards about whodunnit. When George is found dead under mysterious circumstances,...

Here's one you might not have "herd" about: Hugh Jackman is trading his Wolverine claws for Shepherding horns, as he is starring alongside Emma Thompson in Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie. The movie, as you may have guessed from its very specific title, is a detective story involving sheep, but since that is a slightly elusive and broad premise, the MCU actor appeared in a video segment at CinemaCon 2025 to provide a few more details about it. He also unveiled the first footage for the upcoming Amazon feature, which he describes as "a bit of a whodunit."

The footage, shown during the Amazon MGM Studios panel on Wednesday night, which was attended by The Hollywood Reporter, was succeeded by Thompson expressing her joy and enthusiasm for the project. "It was, as you'll see from the clip, the most fantastic, loving, beautiful idea, this synthesis between animals and people,...

Hugh Jackman has starred in a lot of star-studded pieces over the years and his diverse projects perfectly justify his status as one of the most praiseworthy actors in Hollywood’s entertainment industry. In fact, even his outstanding performance in a piece like Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) after one like The Son (2022) serves as the perfect testament to the same.

But his diverse pieces and versatility as an actor don’t quite seem to be downing at all, as the latest project he is being reported to be working on really has my mind blown. To say the least, after acknowledging the murder mystery that he is being reported to be working on, I can’t deny that it’s the most unique idea I’ve heard in Hollywood in recent years.

Hugh Jackman. | Credits: X-Men: The Last Stand / 20th Century Fox. Hugh Jackman is reportedly working on a murder mystery unlike...

Hugh Jackman will soon be in his shepherd era.

The multi-hyphenate’s upcoming film, Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie, got a CinemaCon reveal Wednesday night during the Amazon MGM Studios presentation inside the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

Jackman and co-star Emma Thompson appeared in a video segment during the event to tease the film. “It was, as you’ll see from the clip, the most fantastic, loving, beautiful idea, this synthesis between animals and people,” she said.

Added Jackman about the film Kyle Balda directed from Craig Mazin’s script: “Craig Mazin’s wit is just second to none.”

The footage from the movie included, unsurprisingly, plenty of sheep. “The movie is a bit of a whodunit, which is always fun,” Jackman said in one behind-the-scenes clip. “The movie has such heart.”

Directed by blockbuster animation director Balda (Minions, Despicable Me 3) from a screenplay by...

Animated movies have long been crowd-pleasers, working with audiences of all ages. This can, perhaps, be attributed to the freedom that comes with the medium. With the genre’s history dating back to the late 1800s, it’s fascinating to see how animation has evolved from short, silent films to this billion-dollar culture machine.

A still from 2009’s Up | Credits: Walt Disney

While box office data began to be tracked in the 1920s, it wasn’t until the late 20th and early 21st centuries that animated films began breaking financial records. Today, a select group of these films has achieved rather extraordinary success, capturing the hearts (and wallets) of millions worldwide.

Let’s count down the animated movies that have made history, starting at number thirteen and working our way to the champion of the billion-dollar club. (You never know who overtakes them next).

Zootopia (2016)

Zootopia is a funny film with a big message.

Universal Pictures and Illumination are moving up the release date on the hotly-anticipated Minions 3.

Per Deadline, Universal Pictures has officially changed the premieres of numerous upcoming titles, with Minions 3 being moved up from its original release date of June 30, 2027 all the way up to July 1, 2026. That same spot was previously intended as the release date for Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation's Shrek 5, which has been moved to a release date of December 23, 2026, instead.

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Spun out of the Despicable Me franchise, the first Minions film was directed by Pierre Coffin and Kyle Balda from a script written by Bryan Lynch. The Minions prequel series not only gave fans their first true insight into the origins of Despicable Me's diminutive yellow mascots,...

Though it was founded less than 20 years ago, Illumination has managed to produce some of the biggest animated films of the 21st century. From Despicable Me to Sing, these franchises have released a wealth of spin-off content and merchandise, exemplifying the lucrative nature of this production company. But the company's success doesn't stop there. Illumination is gearing up to release several elusive sequels in the next two years, all of which are expected to be box-office hits.

Alongside these box-office statistics, Illumination has managed to secure an army of avid fans. Though the company mostly aims its films toward children, adults can also appreciate its ability to captivate audiences. As such, it seems that Illumination is set to defeat its surrounding competition as it extends its growing catalog of colorful films.

The Third Installment Was the Weakest of Them All Despicable Me 3

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After the roaring success of Despicable Me...

Migration's success on Netflix has sparked interest in similar heartwarming family stories in other movies. Potential movies like The Lorax, The Secret Life of Pets, and The Mitchells vs. the Machines offer humor and emotion like Migration. Films like Mr. Peabody & Sherman and Madagascar share themes of overcoming fear and the importance of family, similar to Migration.

Illumination Studios' Migration has gotten a new life since being added to Netflix, and some viewers may want more of its heartwarming family story in other movies. Migration was recently added to Netflix, and a whole slew of new viewers got a chance to experience its family-friendly story. Migration is great on its own - it features a talented voice acting cast, a timeless story, and some hilarious jokes and gags - and there are 10 other movies that keep that good time rolling.

Migration was made by Illumination Studios, the production company...

The ‘Despicable Me’ and ‘Minions’ series' have left an incredible mark with six movies in the books, let’s see how each movie performed and what the franchise has in store for the future! The ‘Despicable me’ franchise has become a renowned name all around the world since its start in 2010. From its smaller beginnings to the release of the franchise's 4th film earlier this month. The series has become a phenomenon with 6 total movies. Four movies follow the ‘Despicable me’ series and 2 follow the Minions series which is set to be the prequel to all ‘Despicable me’ movies. Produced by Illumination Productions and distributed by Universal pictures, the movies all center around Gru, his three daughters and the very loved minions. The concept of the series originated from animator Sergio Pablos, who founded his animation company Spa Studios, with the aid of other ideas before becoming a global blockbuster franchise under Illumination Productions.

The release of Deadpool & Wolverine has clearly made a huge splash, both at the box office and in the realm of social media interactions. The film’s impressive earnings and record-breaking opening weekend underscore its massive appeal and the anticipation that surrounded its release.

Jennifer Garner makes a surprise comeback as Elektra and jokes about her divorce with Ben Affleck in Deadpool and Wolverine

Marvel’s playful nod to the iconic sad Wolverine meme, with Hugh Jackman’s character in full gear, is a clever way to celebrate the film’s success. By recreating the 1993 animated series moment, Marvel taps into nostalgia while giving it a contemporary twist, acknowledging the movie’s status as “#1 in the world.” This kind of fan-centric, humorous engagement is a hallmark of Marvel’s marketing strategy.

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A post shared by Hugh Jackman (@thehughjackman)

Ryan Reynolds’ response, capturing the same...

Clockwise from top left: Deadpool & Wolverine, Fly Me To The Moon, Twisters, Despicable Me 4, and DIDIPhoto: Focus Features, Melinda Sue Gordon (Universal Pictures; Warner Bros. Pictures & Amblin Entertainment), Apple

Continuing this year’s running theme, July is light on tentpoles and new releases. It’s still a byproduct...

Hugh Jackman and Amazon MGM Studios' Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie gets theatrical release date. The movie begins after a shepherd mysteriously murdered, prompting his wooly friends to channel their inner Shear-lock Holmes to crack the case. In addition to his sheep detective gig, Jackman has exciting projects on the horizon including playing Robin Hood and reprising his role as Wolverine.

A new live-action comedy starring Deadpool & Wolverine and Logan star Hugh Jackman and centering on crime-solving sheep has now wrapped principal photography and landed a worldwide theatrical release date of 20 February, 2026. The...ewe-nique project begins when Jackmans shepherd is found dead, leading his murder mystery-loving flock of sheep to go all Shear-lock Holmes as they endeavor to solve the crime. That's the last sheep pun, promise.

Titled Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie, you can check out the richly detailed synopsis for the movie below, courtesy...

Starring Emma Thomson and Hugh Jackman, Three Bags Full has been penned by Craig Mazin, the creator of last year’s huge success, The Last Of Us.

Here’s a project that comes from the mind behind The Last Of Us and Chernobyl, two of the most celebrated TV shows of the last few years. Screenwriter and creator Craig Mazin has built himself a reputation for delivering quality on the small screen, and he’s also penned a ‘weird’ Pirates Of The Caribbean script that producer Jerry Bruckheimer seems very taken with. But it seems that for his latest project, Mazin is headed to pastures new. Pastures filled with sheep.

Thanks to The Hollywood Reporter, it has been revealed that Mazin has penned the script for Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie. Amazon MGM is baaaaa-cking the project (sorry) and no less than Emma Thompson and Hugh Jackman have signed up to star.

Hugh Jackman’s new movie plot has left fans in a confused state. The bizarre plot of the newly announced comedy film, Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie, is based on Leonie Swann’s German bestselling novel. Besides Jackman, the film has an ensemble cast including Emma Thompson, Nicholas Braun, Nicholas Galitzine, Molly Gordon, and Hong Chau.

Hugh Jackman as Wolverine in the upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine | Marvel Studios

Fans may not have to worry too much about the film because of the stellar star cast assembled by Amazon MGM Studios. Moreover, the adaptation is being written by The Last of Us showrunner, Craig Mazin. Mazin has proved himself a capable comedy writer with his works like Scary Movie 3 & 4 and The Hangover Part II & III.

Fans Are Still Coming to Terms With Hugh Jackman’s New Movie Plot Hugh Jackman as Logan/ Wolverine in X-Men | 20th Century Fox

Hugh...

The live-action Wolverine will soon be sinking his claws into a new live-action comedy. Deadpool & Wolverine star Hugh Jackman lands an intriguing new role as he's set to lead an upcoming film about sheep detectives.

Per Deadline, Jackman will star in the Amazon MGM Studios flick, Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie, directed by acclaimed animator Kyle Balda. Three Bags Full is an adaptation of Leonie Swann's eponymous international bestselling book, with The Last of Us co-creator Craig Mazin penning the screenplay.

Related 'It Was Hurting': Hugh Jackman Reflects on Retiring From Wolverine Role After Logan

Though he later changed his mind for Deadpool & Wolverine, Hugh Jackman retired from playing the role after 2017's Logan.

Three Bags Full chronicles Jackman's character, George Hardy, a sheep-loving shepherd who raises them only for their wool. Hardy regularly reeds his sheep murder mysteries, pretending they understand him. However, the sheep understand...

A murder mystery involving sheep detectives? It may end up one of Amazon MGM‘s biggest hits in 2026. Deadline reports that the studio has their cast lined for up “Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie,” a live-action comedy helmed by “Minions” vet Kyle Balda. And this cast is a whopper, so don’t be surprised if this one ends up as popular as a “Knives Out” mystery.

Continue reading ‘Three Bags Full’: Hugh Jackman, Emma Thompson, Nicholaus Braun, Nicholas Galitzine & More In Amazon MGM’s Sheep Detective Movie at The Playlist.

Deadpool & Wolverine‘s Hugh Jackman is set to star in Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie and I was not prepared for the synopsis. Let’s get right to it.

Based on Leonie Swann’s international bestseller, the film follows George Hardy (Jackman), “a shepherd who loves his sheep and raises them only for their wool. Every night, he reads aloud a murder mystery, pretending his sheep can understand, never suspecting that not only can they understand, but they argue for hours afterwards about whodunnit. When George is found dead under mysterious circumstances, the sheep realize at once that it was a murder and think they know everything about how to go about solving it. The local cop Tim Derry, on the other hand, has never solved a serious crime in his life, so the sheep conclude they will have to solve it themselves, even if it means...

Amazon MGM Studios upcoming production, Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie, appears to be making headway with production with its ensemble cast list officially revealed by Deadline. The live-action movie directed by Kyle Balda (Minions: The Rise of Gru) is set to star an extraordinary list of actors, and will be released in theaters worldwide on February 20, 2026. Hugh Jackman (The Greatest Showman) serves as lead actor in the new film and is joined by Emma Thompson (Matilda the Musical), Nicholas Braun (Succession), Nicholas Galitzine (The Idea of You), Molly Gordon (Theater Camp), Hong Chau (The Whale), Tosin Cole (Supacell), Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (Wonka), Conleth Hill (Game of Thrones) and Mandeep Dhillon (Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker).

Amazon MGM Studios’ “Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie” has started principal photography and landed a worldwide theatrical release date of Feb. 20, 2026.

The live-action comedy stars Hugh Jackman, flanked by an ensemble cast including Emma Thompson (“Matilda the Musical”), Nicholas Braun (“Succession”), Nicholas Galitzine (“The Idea of You”), Molly Gordon (“Theater Camp”), Hong Chau (“The Whale”), Tosin Cole (“Till”), Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (“Wonka”), Conleth Hill (“Game of Thrones”) and Mandeep Dhillon (“Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker”).

The film follows George Hardy (Jackman), a shepherd who loves his sheep and raises them only for their wool. Every night he reads aloud a murder mystery, pretending his sheep can understand, never suspecting that not only can they understand, but they argue for hours afterwards about whodunnit.

When George is found dead under mysterious circumstances, the sheep realize at once that it was a murder and think they know everything about how to go about solving it.

Despicable Me is the highest-grossing animated film franchise and the 15th highest-grossing film ever. Bearing this in mind, it's kind of hard to believe that the last movie starring Gru, the supervillain who managed to win audience's hearts, hit the silver screen over five years ago, in June 2017. Nevertheless, and in spite of a lack of Despicable Me movies, the franchise kept on rolling, releasing Minions: The Rise of Gru, a prequel that chronicles the origins of Gru and his connection with the Minions, on July 1, 2022. That movie featured a young 11-year-old Gru, a devoted fan of the supervillain group Vicious 6, who suddenly gets invited to audition after the group's leader, Wild Knuckles, is kicked out and presumed dead. Even though the interview goes badly, as Gru is ridiculed for being just a kid, he manages to steal their most treasured possession: the Zodiac Stone, which is connected to the Chinese zodiac,...

If you’re looking for a snapshot of the top 10 most-watched movies streaming on Netflix in the US, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve gathered the current list of the most popular films on the streaming service, along with a brief synopsis and information on who stars in each movie. Did your favorite crack the top 10 on Netflix right now?

Currently, the top 10 movies on Netflix in the US are:

The Chronicles of Riddick The Hunger Games: Catching Fire The Hunger Games The Magician’s Elephant Riddick Sing 2 Minions: The Rise of Gru Luther: The Fallen Sun Dragged Across Concrete I See You 10 ‘The Chronicles of Riddick’ (2004)

Director: David Twohy

Cast: Vin Diesel, Thandiwe Newton, Karl Urban, Alexa Davalos, Colm Feore

Runtime: 1h 59m | Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

Related: All The Riddick Movies in Order of Release Date [How to Watch]

IMDb – Rating: 6.6/10 | Popularity: 1,112 | Metascore: 38

The renowned criminal Richard Bruno...

When can you watch the new “Minions” movie on Peacock? This month, as it turns out!

Peacock has announced that “Minions: The Rise of Gru” will be streaming on the service starting on September 23, alongside the first “Minions” movie. This comes nearly three months after “Minions 2” opened exclusively in theaters on July 1, going on to gross almost 900 million at the box office worldwide.

The fifth film of the popular franchise starring Steve Carell explores the origin story of Gru and how he came to be the world’s greatest supervillain alongside his beloved minions. The film directed by Kyle Balda and co-directed by Brad Ableson and Jonathan del Val also stars Russell Brand, Taraji P. Henson, Michelle Yeoh and Julie Andrews.

Set in 1970s suburbia, Gru is a 12-year-old boy in this movie. When Gru crosses paths with the Minions, including Kevin, Stuart, Bob, and Otto—a new Minion sporting...

Universal/Illumination’s Minions: The Rise Of Gru bowed in China today (Friday), grossing an estimated Rmb 21.74M (3.2M), including midnights. This was good for the biggest opening day of a Hollywood animated film during the pandemic.

Overall, and not including China’s Friday, Rise Of Gru has grossed 461.2M at the international box office for 807.7M worldwide.

The origins story from director Kyle Balda and co-directors Brad Ableson and Jonathan del Val, saw its first day in China land above The Croods: A New Age’s Rmb 19.7M from November 27, 2020 as well as other studio toons released in the intervening time.

On Friday, Rise Of Gru ranked No. 3 in the daily chart behind local animated newcomer Yang Jian (New Gods) and the continued play of local blockbuster Moon Man.

In the early hours of Saturday locally, Rise Of Gru is on the rise, ahead of Moon Man for the day,...

China has set an August 19 release date for Universal/Illumination’s Minions: The Rise Of Gru. This will be the first major tentpole from Hollywood to hit the market since Universal’s own Jurassic World Dominion which has grossed 157.4M there through Sunday and during an extended nine-week run; it is the biggest studio import of 2022.

The Universal Pictures Weibo account today posted the date for Rise Of Gru writing in part, “Long time no see, troublemakers! Get on the scooter, we’re back!” The Maoyan ticketing platform and the Douban reviews site are also carrying the date. (Check out the full-size China poster below.)

The market’s box office was severely impacted earlier this year amid Covid spikes that forced lockdowns and restrictions, with Shanghai and Beijing hit hard. Dominion‘s dinosaurs helped shake things up, and lately, local Chinese movies have seen a resurgence, including holdover sci-fi comedy...

One of the year’s biggest movies (with the smallest henchmen) is finally available to watch at home, with Minions: Rise of Gru now on VOD rental streaming platforms.

Released July 1, Minions: Rise of Gru became an unexpected smash-hit around the world, raking in over 700 million at the global box office. Directed by Pierre Coffin and Kyle Balda, and starring Steve Carrel, Taraji P. Henson, and Jean-Claude Van Damme, the film is a sequel to 2015’s Minions, which was a spin-off prequel of the Despicable Me movies.

Buy: Minions: Rise of Gru 19.99

Of course,...

“Minions: The Rise of Gru” is the new CG-animated sequel to “Minions” (2015) and the fifth entry overall in the “Despicable Me” franchise, directed by Kyle Balda, Brad Ableson and Jonathan del Val, starring Steve Carell as ‘Gru’ and Pierre Coffin as the ‘Minions’, with Taraji P. Henson, Michelle Yeoh, RZA, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Lucy Lawless, Dolph Lundgren, Danny Trejo, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews and Alan Arkin, now playing:

"...set in the 1970's, young 'Gru' is growing up in the suburbs. A fanboy of a supervillain group known as the 'Vicious 6', Gru hatches a plan to become evil enough to join them. When the Vicious 6 fire their leader, legendary fighter 'Wild Knuckles', Gru interviews to become their newest member.

"It does not go well and things only get worse after Gru steals a precious stone from them with the help of 'Kevin', 'Stuart', 'Bob', Otto and the other 'Minions'.

When Universal opted to stick to a theatrical release for “Minions: The Rise of Gru,” the new chapter of Chris Meledandri’s blockbuster animated saga, it went a couple extra miles to orchestrate one of its biggest and most interactive marketing campaign for an animated film to date.

The multi-pronged operation, spearheaded by Universal’s head of international marketing Julien Noble with his home office team and all the territories marketing groups, spanned live events and activations across the studio’s top 12 markets. Giant squishies of Minions were placed in spontaneous locations and hand painted by local artists around the world.

Judging by the early box office receipts, the studio’s strategy has been paying off. Released July 1 in the U.S., “Minions: The Rise of Gru,” which is directed by Kyle Balda, broke domestic B.O. records for the biggest opening ever over Fourth of July weekend. The film...

Box office watchers were worried that family audiences had all but forgotten about movie theaters… until Gru and his mischievous yellow friends came along. As it turns out, parents with young kids weren’t abandoning their local cinemas in the wake of the pandemic. Most of them just didn’t care to watch Disney’s Pixar film “Lightyear.”

That’s the takeaway after “Minions: The Rise of Gru,” the fifth installment in Universal and Illumination’s popular “Despicable Me” franchise, put box office expectations to shame, opening to 125 million over the extended July 4th holiday weekend. It comes a few weeks after “Lightyear” struggled to stir enthusiasm with its 51 million debut. After three weeks on the big screen, the latest Pixar movie has grossed just 106 million at the domestic box office, less than “Minions 2” generated in three days.

“‘Minions’ shattered the idea that families don’t want to go back to the theaters,...

Featuring the voices of: Steve Carell, Pierre Coffin, Russell Brand, Alan Arkin, Taraji P. Henson, Michelle Yeoh, Julie Andrews, Russell Brand, Jean-Claude van Damme, Dolph Lundgren, Danny Trejo, Lucy Lawless | Written by Matt Fogel | Directed by Kyle Balda, Brad Ableson, Jonathan del Val

In the 1970s, young Gru tries to join a group of supervillains called the Vicious 6 after they oust their leader — the legendary fighter Wild Knuckles. When the interview turns disastrous, Gru and his Minions go on the run with the Vicious 6 hot on their tails. Luckily, he finds an unlikely source for guidance — Wild Knuckles himself — and soon discovers that even bad guys need a little help from their friends.

Ah, yes. The Minions – the favorite movie character of every single grandma in the world who loves to share memes on Facebook with their adorable yellow faces plastered on it for… some reason. The Minions are some...

The Universal animation took £10.4m in its debut weekend.

RankFilm (distributor) Three-day gross (July 1 - 3)Total gross to date Week 1. Minions: The Rise Of Gru (Universal) £10.4m £10.4m 1 2. Elvis (Warner Bros)

£3m £10.2m 2 3. Top Gun: Maverick (Paramount)

£2.7m £68.0m 6 4. Jurassic World Dominion (Universal)

£1.8m £30.4m 4 5. Lightyear (Disney) £863,720 £8.5m 3

Gbp to Usd conversion rate: 1.21

Audiences suited up and turned out in their droves for the opening weekend of Minions: The Rise Of Gru, taking it to the top of this week’s UK-Ireland box office chart.

The Universal title, directed by Kyle Balda, Brad Ableson, Jonathan Del Val and featuring the...

Tiny yellow creatures are taking over the international box office.

“Minions: The Rise of Gru” ignited to 93.7 million from 61 overseas markets and notched one of the biggest pandemic-era opening weekends for an animated film in many of those territories.

Those returns take the fifth installment in Universal and Illumination’s popular “Despicable Me” franchise past 200 million at the global box office. In North America, “The Rise of Gru” debuted to 108 million over the weekend and looks to reach 127.9 million through Independence Day on Monday.

Outside of the U.S. and Canada, “Minions: The Rise of Gru” enjoyed the strongest showing in the United Kingdom and Ireland with 12.9 million, followed by Mexico with 12.4 million and Germany with 4.8 million. Other top-grossing markets include Spain with 3.6 million, Brazil with 3.2 million, Indonesia with 3.4 million and Argentina with 3.3 million.

Kyle Balda directed “Minions: The Rise of Gru,” which takes place in the 1970s as a...

Update, writethru: Coming in slightly above the estimates we reported on Saturday, Universal/Illumination’s Minions: The Rise Of Gru has boogied to an 87.2M weekend at the international box office. That lifts the offshore cume to 93.7M for 202.2M worldwide to date.

The Rise Of Gru, the latest entry in the globe’s biggest animated franchise, had previously bowed in Australia last weekend and this frame added another 60 markets. In the fresh hubs, the debut was 81.5M.

In like-for-likes at today’s exchange rates, the new openers are 23 below Minions and 13 below Despicable Me 3. Including Australia, results in Week 2 are tracking 13 below Minions and just 3 below DM3. France, Japan, Korea and Italy are still to unleash the little fellows.

Gru and the crew set some new milestones internationally with four markets scoring the biggest animation opening weekend of all time (Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Venezuela); and 52 markets setting the...

“Minions: The Rise of Gru” may be filled with familiar, uh, faces of the lovable yellow creatures, but it transports them back to the 1970s, when Gru (still voiced by Steve Carell) was a supervillian in training and the Minions were looking to fit into his burgeoning world.

The latest installment of the popular franchise from Universal and Illumination was directed by Kyle Balda, himself a veteran of the world of the Minions and a child of the ’70s. The animation team had to distill tons of research of the colors, the music, the architecture, clothes and hairstyles of the mid-1970s for the film, which follows elementary school student Gru as he applies to join the Vicious 6, a team of supervillians, but of course, events, with the help of the Minions, go awry.

The feature has fun referencing kung fu movies of the ’70s, something Balda loves. Much of...

“Minions: The Rise of Gru” set off fireworks at the box office, collecting 108 million over the weekend. By the time that July 4th rolls around on Monday, the animated family film is expected to reach a sizable 127.9 million.

Based on those estimates, “Minions: The Rise of Gru” will smash the record for the highest film opening over Independence Day, overtaking Paramount’s 2011 blockbuster “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” (115.9 million over four days).

Ticket sales for the fifth installment in Universal and Illumination’s popular “Despicable Me” franchise are a comforting sign that family crowds haven’t entirely forgotten about movie theaters. Hollywood had been looking at “Minions: The Rise of Gru” to test the viability of animated flicks on the big screen after moviegoers with young kids — a demographic that’s vital in driving overall box office revenues — had returned only in fits and starts.

“This is a sensational opening,...

Saturday Update: Universal/Illumination’s Minions: The Rise Of Gru is lighting up at the global and international box office, set to be the current frame’s No. 1 film domestically, overseas and worldwide through Sunday. Gru and the crew are now out in 61 offshore markets, having released early in Australia and adding such majors as Mexico, Brazil, Germany, the UK and Spain through yesterday.

The estimated worldwide cume through Sunday is eyed at 202.16M. Of that, overseas is expected to rep 92.7M. In this weekend’s new markets only, the launch is 81M. Coming into the session, projections were at 70M+, so this is a great bump. The full frame estimates on new markets (excluding previews) are tracking about 20 below 2015’s Minions and 13 behind 2017’s Despicable Me 3 at today’s exchange rates. Meanwhile, the TikTok “Minions In Suits” challenge which we told you about yesterday (see below), continues to go viral.

Minions: The Rise of Gru Review — Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022) Film Review, a movie directed by Kyle Balda, Brad Ableson and Jonathan del Val and written by Matthew Fogel and Brian Lynch and starring Steve Carell, Michelle Yeoh, Alan Arkin, Pierre Coffin, Taraji P. Henson, Julie Andrews, Russell Brand, Jean-Claude Van [...]

Continue reading: Film Review: Minions: The Rise Of Gru (2022): The Minions are Back in a Wild but Silly Story Set in the 1970’s...

Chicago – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on Wbgr-fm on June 30th, reviewing “Minions: The Rise of Gru,” the fifth film in the “Despicable Me” animated film series, in theaters beginning July 1st.

Rating: 4.0/5.0

Gru (voice of Steve Carell) is an 11-year-old fan of the Vicious 6, a group of supervillains that includes Belle (Taraji P. Henson), Jean Clawed (Jean Claude Van Damme), Sister NunChuck (Lucy Lawless), Svengeance (Dolph Lundgren), Stronghold (Danny Trejo) and their leader Wild Knuckles (Alan Arkin). When the team double crosses Wild Knuckles and kicks him out of the six, Gru and his Minions have a shot a that sixth slot.

”Minions: The Rise of Gru” is in theaters everywhere beginning June 30th. Featuring the voices of Steve Carell, Alan Arkin, Taraji P. Henson, Michelle Yeoh and Julie Andrews. Screenplay by Matthew Fogel. Directed by Kyle Balda, Brad Ableson and Jonathan del Val.

Other new releases include ‘Nitram’ and ‘The Princess’.

With the school summer holidays already underway for some and in sight for most children, Universal is going big with the release of Minions: The Rise Of Gru.

The Minions sequel will play in 637 sites, making it Universal’s widest ever animation release in the UK-Ireland. The first Minions film debuted at the top of the UK-Ireland box office back in 2015, taking £11.6m from 573 sites, which broke the then record for the biggest ever three-day opening for an animation.

The Illumination title is the fifth film in the Despicable Me franchise. Despicable Me 3...

(from left) Kevin, Gru (Steve Carell) and Stuart in Illumination’s Minions: The Rise of Gru, directed by Kyle Balda.

As we enter the “middle Month” of Summer, moviegoers will finally get to see another “franchise flick” that’s been sitting on the shelf for well over two years now, much akin to the high-flying pilots that have dominated the box office. In fact a major fast-food chain offered toys based on the title characters back in June of 2020, though I’m betting those meals were still pretty happy. As you guessed this is an animated feature looking to fill the screens as that Space Ranger blasts away to a streaming service. And this is a most unusual movie for a “tent-pole” picture as it is both a prequel and a sequel…of a spin-off. Yes, it’s another look at the beginning of everybody’s favorite super-villain “wannabe” and...

Jaundiced critters wired for subservience, the Minions have become an inescapable nuisance across all entertainment media and even theme parks. Their overly simplistic design and mostly unintelligible dialect has turned them into an easily marketable brand that amuses young audiences with their frantic, infantile and irritating personalities.

Unnecessarily, their insufferable dominance expands further with a new movie, “Minions: The Rise of Gru,” from director Kyle Balda, a creator involved in this hollow animated emporium since the original “Despicable Me” film now over a decade ago.

No longer searching for a master to serve after meeting Gru (voiced by Steve Carell) at the end of 2015’s “Minions,” the first prequel in this universe, the roundish sidekicks have settled into the young villain’s home. But their ideal living situation is disturbed when their 12-year-old boss (the film is set in the 1970s) wants to join the Vicious 6, a criminal organization comprised of the most dangerous antagonists.

The problem at the heart of the bizarrely dense “Despicable Me” mythology — five feature films, another on the way, fifteen short films, books, video games, and even a theme park ride — has always been its true strength: for a series about a nefarious supervillain, it’s adorable. And while the grumbly Gru (voiced by Steve Carell throughout the franchise) turning away from his long-running bad guy schemes in favor of family and fun has made for some delightful, silly features in the past, as the series attempts to mine his younger years, things are getting oddly complicated.

Well, complicated if you’re an adult who still keenly remembers the charms of the first film in the franchise, 2010’s “Despicable Me,” which followed that bad-guy-to-good-guy storyline with ease. One and done, right? Never! While the first film, a candy-colored computer animated offering that served as Illumination Entertainment’s debut feature, eventually...

After a two year delay due to the pandemic, Illumination/Universal’s Minions: The Rise of Gru, the fifth movie in the Despicable Me/Minions universe, arrives looking to lead the Independence Day domestic box office with 70M-80M over 4-days, and another 70M+ abroad for a potential 150M global launch. There are no other major studio wide entries over July 4th weekend.

Through four movies comprised of three Despicable Mes and a Minions spinoff, the Illumination franchise has chalked up 3.7 billion worldwide.

Should Minions: The Rise of Gru come in under its U.S./Canada projections, it’s strictly due to franchise fatigue. There have been few animated family movies during the pandemic, so comps are scant. Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog 2 with a 72.1M opening is still the ideal comparison for any major studio’s animated fare. Sonic 2 received an offshore opening ahead of U.S.

Tiny yellow henchmen will attempt to spark fireworks at the box office over the July 4 weekend.

“Minions: The Rise of Gru,” the fifth installment in Universal and Illumination’s popular “Despicable Me” franchise, is headed for a first-place finish, with the family film expected to bring in 65 million to 75 million from 4,400 North American theaters during the extended holiday period. Though it’s the only new nationwide release, “Minions” will have to fend off holdover titles including Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis,” “Jurassic World: Dominion,” “Top Gun: Maverick” and Pixar’s “Lightyear.”

The well-reviewed “Minions: The Rise of Gru” looks to test the viability of kid-friendly animated flicks on the big screen. Family audiences are huge drivers in box office revenues and therefore key to the movie theater industry’s revival. But as the box office has attempted to rebound from Covid-19, movies that cater to younger crowds have been a mixed...

“Minions: The Rise of Gru” is the new CG-animated sequel to “Minions” (2015) and the fifth entry overall in the “Despicable Me” franchise, directed by Kyle Balda, Brad Ableson and Jonathan del Val, starring Steve Carell as ‘Gru’ and Pierre Coffin as the ‘Minions’, with Taraji P. Henson, Michelle Yeoh, RZA, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Lucy Lawless, Dolph Lundgren, Danny Trejo, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews and Alan Arkin, opening theatrically July 1, 2022:

"...set in the 1970's, young 'Gru' is growing up in the suburbs. A fanboy of a supervillain group known as the 'Vicious 6', Gru hatches a plan to become evil enough to join them. When the Vicious 6 fire their leader, legendary fighter 'Wild Knuckles', Gru interviews to become their newest member.

"It does not go well and things only get worse after Gru steals a precious stone from them with the help of 'Kevin', 'Stuart', 'Bob', Otto and the other 'Minions'.

This Summer, A Villain Is Only As Good As His Minions! Universal Pictures And Illumination Present Steve Carell, Taraji P. Henson, Michelle Yeoh, RZA, Jean-claude Van Damme, Lucy Lawless, Dolph Lundgren, Danny Trejo, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews And Alan Arkin. Minions: The Rise Of Gru. Rated PG. Only In Theaters July 1St.

https://www.minionsmovie.com/

You are invited to enter to win passes to the advance screening of Minions: The Rise Of Gru

When: 7pm on Monday June 27th

Where: AMC Esquire 7

Wamg is giving away to 6 lucky readers a a cool prizepack. No purchase necessary. Seating is not guaranteed.

Enter in the comments to receive the prizepack of Minion Swag your name and email address

For your chance to receive a Family 4-pack of passes: http://gofobo.com/XHEAk08515

This summer, from the biggest global animated franchise in history, comes the origin story of how the world’s...

Every entry in the “Despicable Me” franchise is technically a Minions movie, since one way or another, the adorable yellow buggers manage to steal the show. But the fun thing about 2015’s stand-alone prequel was just that: It allowed the Minions to stand alone, pairing them with someone other than Gru for a change.

Gru’s great, but his bad-guy-gone-soft shtick is starting to get old. Now, in “Minions: The Rise of Gru,” we get to see him young: At the mischievous age of 11, he’s already sporting the hunchback and hook nose, and dreaming of world domination. On career day at school, the enfant terrible announces, “I want to be a supervillain!” And not just any supervillain. He wants to join the Vicious Six, but isn’t sure whether the Minions will help or harm his chances of joining their ranks. Meanwhile, we already know the answer, since the...

Director Kyle Balda and Illumination chief Chris Meledandri present animation.

The 46th Annecy International Animation Festival covered disparate bases in its opening ceremony on Monday (June 13) with a tribute to the people and filmmakers of Ukraine followed by the world premiere of Universal’s Minions: The Rise Of Gru.

“We give our support to the Ukrainian people,” said Annecy mayor Dominique Puthod, who also offered his solidarity to the country’s film industry.

Puthod then introduced Heavenly Hundred, a 2021 Ukrainian short film by Daryna Zghurovets. Set in 2022 on the eighth anniversary of the Revolution of Dignity, it sees a young...

“Minions: The Rise of Gru” is the new CG-animated sequel to “Minions” (2015) and the fifth entry overall in the “Despicable Me” franchise, directed by Kyle Balda, Brad Ableson and Jonathan del Val, starring Steve Carell as ‘Gru’ and Pierre Coffin as the ‘Minions’, with Taraji P. Henson, Michelle Yeoh, RZA, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Lucy Lawless, Dolph Lundgren, Danny Trejo, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews and Alan Arkin, opening theatrically July 1, 2022:

"...set in the 1970's, young 'Gru' is growing up in the suburbs. A fanboy of a supervillain group known as the 'Vicious 6', Gru hatches a plan to become evil enough to join them. When the Vicious 6 fire their leader, legendary fighter 'Wild Knuckles', Gru interviews to become their newest member.

"It does not go well and things only get worse after Gru steals a precious stone from them with the help of 'Kevin', 'Stuart', 'Bob', Otto and the other 'Minions'.