Animated films dominate the summer box office

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — Odds are you have made your way to the movie theatre this summer to escape the hot weather for a couple of hours, especially with the two popular, recently released sequels dominating screens nationwide.

The summer box office is heating up with two movies topping the list as must-see films this summer — Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” and Illumination’s “Despicable Me 4.” Both films are bringing in crowds and upping the sales at local theatres.

“Inside Out 2,” released just about a month ago, is already the highest-grossing movie of the year, crossing the $1 billion mark at the box office.

Caitlin Piper, director of corporate communications with Cinemark Theatres, said the movie has become a phenomenon at the theatre.

“What we are really seeing is that people love movie-going, and there is no doubt about it,” she said. “It’s Pixar’s No. 1 movie of all time, and it was actually our best domestic opening day for an animated film of all time.”

“Despicable Me 4” also came out this month, bringing out minion fans on the Fourth of July weekend

“They have already set their next one for July Fourth upcoming, and we are really, really excited,” Piper said. “We love that tradition that they have built with their strong, devoted moviegoers getting out to see what those minions are up to.”

On the Grand Strand, moviegoers are beating the heat and at the theatre.

“There’s probably not a better way to escape the heat than to sit down, to relax and get sent off to another world,” Piper said.

Speaking of immersing into another universe, “Deadpool & Wolverine,” which is set for release on July 26, is the next hot pick to hit the summer box office.

“We are seeing really, really strong presales, not just at Cinemark, but across the industry,” Piper said. “It is becoming a really, really highly anticipated weekend in movie theaters across the board.

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Adriana Cotero is News13’s weekend evening anchor and a morning reporter. She joined the team in July 2023 after working in the island of Guam. Adriana is from Saline, Michigan, and graduated from Central Michigan University. Follow Adriana on Facebook , X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram and read more of her work here .

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