4 million. The latest installment in Universal and Illumination's popular franchise, featuring the lovable former supervillain Gru, has already amassed a staggering $47.6 million in just two days since its release.

Despite carrying a relatively economical budget of $100 million, "Despicable Me 4" looks set to have a lucrative run, with projections pointing towards a potential five-day holiday gross of approximately $120 million. This achievement is particularly noteworthy as it stands in contrast to films by its main rivals Disney and Pixar, which often require budgets of around $200 million.

Returning to the screen as Gru is the talented Steve Carell, who goes head-to-head with his former "Anchorman" co-star, Will Ferrell, playing the French antagonist Maxime Le Mal. Alongside them, Sofia Vergara captivates as Valentina, Maxime's alluring partner in crime. However, stealing the show once again are the beloved minions, the highlighter-yellow, energetic creatures who have captured the hearts of children worldwide for over a decade.

The "Despicable Me" franchise has been a resounding success for Illumination, providing a platform for further hits like "The Secret Life of Pets," "Sing," and "The Super Mario Bros. Movie." The minions have become iconic mascots, not only appearing in the main films but also headlining their own spinoff adventures.

Facing formidable competition, "Despicable Me 4" surpassed the domestic performance of "Inside Out 2" on Independence Day, which earned a respectable $7.2 million. However, Pixar and Disney can still celebrate as "Inside Out 2" has achieved a global success, grossing over $1.07 billion, making it the sixth highest-grossing animated film of all time. Domestically, it ranks as the third highest-grossing animated film.

In other Fourth of July box office highlights, Paramount's horror prequel "A Quiet Place: Day One" added $4.7 million to its domestic total, reaching an impressive $73.3 million. Meanwhile, Angel Studios' "Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot," a heartwarming tale about a Texas minister and his wife's efforts to change the lives of foster kids, made a promising debut with $3.2 million.

Bringing up the rear in the top five was Kevin Costner's "Horizon: An American Saga," which garnered $1.9 million. Despite Costner's ambitious plans to create a four-part series centered on westward expansion, the lukewarm domestic reception and negative reviews of the first installment have cast doubt on the sustainability of his epic vision.

Comparatively, last year's Fourth of July celebration witnessed lackluster performances, with the faith-based drama "Sound of Freedom" earning $14.2 million, topping the underperforming adventure film "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" with its disappointing $11.7 million gross.

As the holiday weekend draws to a close, "Despicable Me 4" continues to shine brightly, captivating audiences with its delightful characters and comedic charm. With a projected box office smash and a legacy of success for the franchise, the lovable minions prove once again that they are an animated superpower to reckon with.