The sequel "Despicable Me 2" rounded out a record- breaking opening weekend by collecting $83.5 million between Friday and Sunday, heavily overshadowing the debut of the much-advertised action film "The Lone Ranger," according to final figures released today.
"Despicable Me 2" has already earned $143.1 million since its debut last week, giving it the biggest North American five-day opening for an animated film, and the largest three-day July opening for an animated film, according to Hollywood.com Box Office.
The much-publicized debut of "The Lone Ranger," starring Johnny Depp as Tonto, earned $29.2 million between Friday and Monday, giving it a $48.7 million opening over the long Fourth of July weekend.
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Bolstered by solid word-of-mouth, the Sandra Bullock-Melissa McCarthy buddy-cop comedy "The Heat" earned $24.8 million over the weekend, giving it a two-week total of $86.3 million.
Another animated hit, "Monsters University," also had a strong weekend, collecting $19.7 million, while Brad Pitt's zombie thriller "World War Z" earned $18.4 million.
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Rounding out the top 10 films of the weekend were "White House Down" ($13.5 million); "Man of Steel" ($11.4 million); "Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain" ($10 million); "This is the End" ($5.8 million); and "Now You See Me" ($2.8 million).
—City News Service
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