Universal and Illumination Entertainment are celebrating another box office success with Despicable Me 3, the latest instalment of the animated franchise.
Spurred on by a $66 million opening in China this past weekend, the film had grossed $477 million by close of play on Sunday, helping to push the series beyond the $3 billion mark combined at the global box office.
The first Despicable Me earned $543 million back in 2010, with its sequel Despicable Me 2 racking up $970 million in 2013 and the 2015 spinoff Minions setting a series high of $1.15 billion.
As well as hitting the $3 billion milestone for the series, this weekend’s takings for Despicable Me 3 also pushed animation house Illumination beyond the $5 billion mark.
Next up from the studio is Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch, which opens in 2018, followed by sequels to The Secret Life of Pets, Minions and Sing.