Theater counts: Rise of Gru hits 4,391 theaters for the Holiday weekend

June 30, 2022

After an exciting head-to-head contest at the box office last weekend, another newcomer arrives in theaters this week to challenge chart toppers Top Gun: Maverick and Elvis. Minions: The Rise of Gru will open in 4,391 theaters this week, making it the widest release. The prequel to 2015’s Minions and fifth film in the Despicable Me franchise has earned nearly $4 million overseas so far in rollouts that began in mid June. Set in the 1970s, the animated feature follows a 12-year old Gru (voiced by Steve Carell) as he grows up in the suburbs. The animated comedy from Illumination will also be available on IMAX screens throughout North America.

While the latest Minions film is the widest release this week, it isn’t the only feature opening wide. The period romantic comedy Mr. Malcolm’s List is set to appear in 1,384 theaters. Based on a novel by Suzanne Allain, the Emma Holly Jones directed film contains an ensemble cast which includes Zawe Ashton, Sope Dirisu, Freida Pinto, Ashley Park, Oliver Jackson-Cohen and Theo James.

While Elvis ultimately squeaked out a win at the weekend box office, it was anyone’s game with mega-hit Top Gun: Maverick running neck and neck against the biopic, with the former taking in $31.2 million in its first three days to the latter’s $29.6 million in its fifth weekend. This week Elvis plays in the second-most theaters with 3,932 locations, while Top Gun: Maverick comes in third, playing in 3,808 theaters. Maverick crossed the $1 billion mark worldwide this week, with $534 million credited to domestic earnings so far. Still going strong in fourth place this week is Jurassic World: Dominion. The latest in the Jurassic film franchise crossed $300 million domestically this week and will be available in 3,801 locations heading into its fourth weekend. Lastly, rounding out our top five this week is the new addition from two weeks ago in Lightyear. The film, which has also mostly held the fifth place spot at the box office throughout the week, enters its third week in 3,800 theaters.

Once again we see scores of films opening in the limited release category as well this week. Per usual, films to fit nearly every interest will be available. Opening in three locations this week is Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, A Journey, A Song. The biographical documentary is an exploration of singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen as seen through the prism of his internationally-renowned hymn, “Hallelujah”. Also opening in limited release is the Costa Rican film, Clara Sola. The drama follows a 36-year old woman in a remote village in Costa Rica who takes off on a journey to break free from social and religious conventions to become the master of her sexuality and newfound powers. Clara Sola debuts in one cinema.

Looking ahead to next week we see the introduction of Thor: Love and Thunder. The latest MCU movie which stars Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman is set to arrive in an estimated 4,300 locations.

Note: The theater count for Everything Everywhere All at Once is an estimate from Box Office Pro.

Theater Counts for July 1

Estimates for July 8

Bruce Nash

Filed under: Theater Counts, Jurassic Park, Toy Story, Marvel Cinematic Universe, Thor, Despicable Me, Minions, Top Gun, Freida Pinto, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Theo James, Zawe Ashton, Sope Dirisu, Emma Holly Jones, Suzanne Allain, Ashley Park