Universal Pictures Adds More Blockbuster Momentum with Minions

Just seven months into 2015 and Universal Pictures has already thrilled audiences with some of the highest-grossing films of all time. And they're just getting warmed up.

The cute and adorable banana-colored cylindrical creatures are back with Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s all new Minions, opening Friday, July 10. The giant animated film and third installment in the Despicable Me franchise already opened in 26 international markets and scored the highest all-time opening for an animated film in five territories.

After Minions, Universal Pictures will look to add to its record-setting year with Judd Apatow’s latest film, Trainwreck, opening July 17, written by and starring breakout comedy star Amy Schumer; Straight Outta Compton (Aug. 14), an astonishing story of the meteoric rise and fall of the West Coast hip hop group N.W.A, The Visit (Sept. 11), the latest from writer and director M. Night Shyamalan, and the anticipated bio-drama Steve Jobs (Oct. 9), from the brilliant minds of director Danny Boyle and writer Aaron Sorkin, just to name a few.

So far this year, Universal Pictures has delivered four No. 1 films to the North American box office for a total of 10 weeks, more than any other studio in 2015. The records were propelled by some of the biggest and most highly-anticipated films of the year including Fifty Shades of Grey, Furious 7, Pitch Perfect 2 and Jurassic World.

Jurassic World marked the only time a film has ever opened to $500 million or more in history, while Furious 7 ranked as the fourth-highest grossing film of all time worldwide. Universal Pictures has raised the bar by opening No. 1 worldwide three times and No. 1 internationally for nine weeks.

Most recently, Universal Pictures International’s (UPI) box office grosses have crossed $3 billion, marking the first time Universal has reached this milestone and the fastest any studio has ever done it.

 - Marnice Davis for Comcast

About Minions:

The story of Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s Minions begins at the dawn of time.  Starting as single-celled yellow organisms, Minions evolve through the ages, perpetually serving the most despicable of masters.  Continuously unsuccessful at keeping these masters—from T. rex to Napoleon—the Minions find themselves without someone to serve and fall into a deep depression.

But one Minion named Kevin has a plan, and he—alongside teenage rebel Stuart and lovable little Bob—ventures out into the world to find a new evil boss for his brethren to follow.

The trio embarks upon a thrilling journey that ultimately leads them to their next potential master, Scarlet Overkill (Academy Award® winner Sandra Bullock), the world’s first-ever female super-villain.  They travel from frigid Antarctica to 1960s New York City, ending in mod London, where they must face their biggest challenge to date: saving all of Minionkind...from annihilation.

Featuring a soundtrack of hit music from the ’60s that still permeates our culture today, Minions is produced by Illumination’s Chris Meledandri and Janet Healy, and is directed by Pierre Coffin and Kyle Balda.  Brian Lynch has written the screenplay for the 3D-CG comedy adventure, and Chris Renaud serves as executive producer of the film. www.minionnation.net