With nearly $45 million in domestic tickets sales this weekend alone, the Universal animated sequel outdid the debuts of the Adam Sandler comedy "Grown Ups 2" and director Guillermo del Toro's monsters-versus-robots action flick "Pacific Rim."
"Grown Ups 2" came in second place with $42.5 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.
The third-place finish of "Pacific Rim," with $38.3 million in receipts, represented a disappointing start domestically for Warner Bros. and partner Legendary Entertainment.
"The Heat" took the No. 4 spot with $14 million.
Disney's "The Lone Ranger" rounded out the top five with more than $11 million.
1. "Despicable Me 2," $44.8 million. ($55.5 million international).
2. "Grown Ups 2," $42.5 million. ($1.7 million international).
3. "Pacific Rim," $38.3 million. ($53 million international).
4. "The Heat," $14 million. ($8.1 million international).
5. "The Lone Ranger," $11.1 million. ($12.7 million international).
6. "Monsters University,"$10.6 million. ($30.2 million international).
7. "World War Z," $9.4 million. ($22.4 million international).
8. "White House Down," $6.2 million. (41.8 million international).
9. "Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain," $5 million.
10. "Man of Steel," $4.8 million. ($13.3 million international).
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
