Title: "Minions Dominate Box Office with $120 Million Opening for 'Despicable Me 4'"

The highly anticipated animated film, "Despicable Me 4," is off to a roaring start at the box office, projecting a five-day opening of $120 million for the Fourth of July weekend. Playing in 4,428 locations, the latest installment in Illumination and Universal's popular franchise took in an additional $27 million on Friday alone.

While this opening is a triumph for the Minions, it is worth noting that "Despicable Me 4" is pacing slightly behind its predecessor, "Minions: The Rise of Gru." However, the film has still managed to secure one of the biggest Friday-to-Sunday grosses of the year, projected at $72.4 million.

With a production budget of $100 million, "Despicable Me 4" remains a cost-effective venture compared to other animated films, which often carry budgets upwards of $200 million. This demonstrates the financial savvy of Illumination Studios while still delivering a visually stunning and highly entertaining film.

To add to the film's success, the viral trend "#Gentleminions" has been sweeping social media, with young adults dressing in formal wear to attend screenings. This unique and enthusiastic fan base has further boosted the film's popularity.

Audience surveys conducted by Cinema Score reveal that "Despicable Me 4" has received a glowing "A" grade, indicating that franchise fans believe it lives up to the high standards set by its predecessors. This bodes well for the film's longevity in theaters, as the Minions continue to captivate audiences throughout the summer.

In addition to the Minions' domination at the box office, other films debuted this weekend with varied results. A24's horror entry, "MaXXXine," is projected to earn around $7.6 million across the three-day frame, surpassing the previous collaborations of director Ti West and star Mia Goth.

Meanwhile, Angel Studios' latest offering, "Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trout," a drama about a Texas minister and his church's efforts in the foster care system, is projected to earn a more modest $7 million over its first four days. The distributor, known for its success with the child-trafficking thriller "Sound of Freedom," is looking to make an impact with this new release.

In the ongoing battle for box office supremacy, Pixar's "Inside Out 2" continues to hold its ground in second place, crossing the $500 million domestic milestone and adding $10.6 million more on Friday. The film is expected to demonstrate remarkable holding power despite the competition from "Despicable Me 4."

"A Quiet Place: Day One" follows closely in third place, projecting $21.3 million for the three-day frame after earning $7 million on Friday. Paramount's horror prequel is approaching the $100 million domestic milestone, which it is expected to achieve within the next few days.

Rounding out the top five is Sony and Columbia's hit action sequel, "Bad Boys: Ride or Die," which is projected to earn an additional $6.7 million. With a domestic total of over $170 million, Will Smith and Martin Lawrence's dynamic duo continues to captivate audiences.

As the summer season unfolds, "Despicable Me 4" and its merry Minions show no signs of slowing down, promising continued success at the box office for weeks to come.