Minions: The Rise of Gru shatters 4th of July weekend box office numbers

The Minions went bananas and became champs at the box office this weekend.

Illumination’s “Minions: The Rise of Gru” — the latest animated film in the Despicable Me franchise — made an estimated $125 million domestically for its four-day opening weekend, according to Universal.

Plus, the film the record for biggest opening over the July 4th holiday weekend, overtaking “Transformers: Dark of the Moon,” which made $115 million in 2011.

Related: Aerial view of Universal’s Epic Universe Construction

Set in 1970s suburbia, young Gru can be seen planning to take over the world from his parent’s basement because every supervillain has to start somewhere. Although everything seems to be going well Gru meets the minions, Kevin, Stuart, Bob, and Otto – a new minion sporting braces with a desire to please. Together they team up to build their lair, design their first weapons and execute their first missions, mayhem is bound to pursue.

Mayhem pursues when the Vicious 6 arrives, a villainous supergroup led by the notorious martial arts fighter Wild Knuckles – voiced by Oscar® winner Alan Arkin. Vicious 6’s biggest fanboy, Gru, interviews to join the supergroup but they are not impressed by the mini, wannabe villain. Outraged by Vicious 6 reactions, Gru tries to outsmart them but instead becomes their number one enemy. With Gru on the run, the minions try to master the art of kung fu to save him and Gru realizes that even bad guys need a little help from their friends.

The film also stars Russell Brand as Young Dr. Nefario, an aspiring mad scientist, Michelle Yeoh as Master Chow, an acupuncturist with mad kung fu skills, and Oscar® winner Julie Andrews as Gru’s maddeningly self-absorbed mom.

Steered by the franchise’s original creators, Minions: The Rise of Gru is produced by visionary Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri and his longtime collaborators Janet Healy and Chris Renaud. The film is directed by returning franchise filmmaker Kyle Balda (Despicable Me 3, Minions), co-directed by Brad Ableson (The Simpsons) and Jonathan del Val (The Secret Life of Pets films), and features the iconic voice of Pierre Coffin as the Minions and a killer ’70s soundtrack courtesy of legendary Grammy-winning music producer Jack Antonoff.

Related: New Minions Popcorn Bucket at Universal Hollywood

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