The Minions Invade Russia

Despicable Me 2 dominated the Russian box office in its opening weekend, raking in $12.2 million across 950 locations. The animated sequel posted the second highest opening for a Universal release in the market, behind this year's Fast & Furious 6. Despicable Me 2 is the highest grossing animated debut of the year in Russia. No other film in Russia grossed above the $1 million mark over the weekend.

The Minions outgrossed the $11.8 million cume earned by The Smurfs 2 in over three weeks of release. A strong hold will lift Despicable Me 2 past the $20.9 million total of Monsters University.

Elysium finished its first hold in second place and reached the $10 million mark. Other top performers in Russia include The Wolverine ($21.4M), Pacific Rim ($20.5M), The Lone Ranger ($15.9M), R.I.P.D. ($13.1M), and The Conjuring ($9.6m).