Universal’s ‘Minions’ swarms box office with $115.2M haul

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Universal's "Minions" overran the box office on the weekend as audiences in the U.S. and Canada shelled out an estimated $115.2 million to see the evil-master-serving horde frolic on the big screen.

Characters, from left, Stuart, Bob, Kevin and Scarlet Overkill, voiced by Sandra Bullock, appear in a scene from the animated feature, "Minions." (Illumination Entertainment/Universal Pictures via AP)

It was an easy win for the sidekicks who took the spotlight after playing supporting roles in two previous "Despicable Me" movies. The bright, babbling baldies have become key characters in the franchise from Universal's Illumination Entertainment.

Directed by Peter Coffin, who co-directed the "Despicable Me" 1 and 2 and voices the Minions, the movie easily beat "Jurassic World," another Universal picture that grossed $18.1 million in its fifth weekend after release, according to box office tracker Rentrak.

Disney's "Inside Out" came in third with $17.1 million in its fourth weekend.

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