'Secret Life of Pets' Soars Atop Box Office With Over $100 Million
Movie

The Kevin Hart-starring animated movie ends the reign of 'Finding Dory' with the largest opening ever for an original animated property.

AceShowbiz - "The Secret Life of Pets" is the new champion at North American box office. The Universal Pictures movie featuring the voice of Kevin Hart, Louis C.K. and Eric Stonestreet among others thumps on fellow animation and three-week champion "Finding Dory" with a whopping $103.2 million opening.

It marks the largest opening ever for an original film not based on previous source material, not accounting for inflation, and surpassed "Inside Out (2015)" which bagged $90.4 million in its opening weekend. It's also the No. 6 opening ever for any animated film and Illumination's second-best start after last year's "Minions" ($115.7 million). "Finding Dory" broke records with $135 million opening last month.

comScore senior media analyst Paul Dergarabedian says "Secret Life of Pets" "overperformed massively," thanks to a great title and an irresistible concept. "This proves if you have a truly original idea - not a sequel, not a franchise, not something already known - that you can still create a massive hit," he explains. The movie received majorly positive reviews from critics, with 76|percent| approval on review aggregate site RottenTomatoes.com, and an A- from moviegoers at CinemaScore.

Universal domestic distribution president Nick Carpou also weighs in on how the movie is well received by audiences, "There's a remarkable connection between owners and their pets which transcends age and culture. While families made up 54 percent of the audience, adults without kids made up 25 percent. That speaks to the point about pets."

"The Legend of Tarzan" holds onto its second position in its second week with additional $20.6 million, while "Finding Dory" is down to No. 3 with an estimated $20.4 million for a current domestic total of $422.6 million.

FOX's R-rated comedy starring Zac Efron and Adam Devine, "Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates", is another newcomer this week. It debuts at No. 4 with an estimated $16.6 million (50 percent of ticket buyers were under the age of 25). "The Purge: Election Year" rounds out the top five with approximately $11.7 million to cross a $50 million mark, against the production cost of just $10 million.

Top Ten Movies at Box Office for July 8-10:

  1. "The Secret Life of Pets" - $103.2 million
  2. "The Legend of Tarzan" - $20.6 million
  3. "Finding Dory" - $20.4 million
  4. "Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates" - $16.6 million
  5. "The Purge: Election Year" - $11.7 million
  6. "Central Intelligence" - $8.1 million
  7. "Independence Day: Resurgence" - $7.7 million
  8. "The BFG" - $7.6 million
  9. "The Shallows" - $4.8 million
  10. "Sultan" - $2.2 million

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