Finding Dory: Biggest Animated Movie Box Office Opening Ever

By Mark Hodge (doddleNEWS)

Finding Dory is on course to become the biggest animated movie of all time after enjoying a record breaking opening weekend in North America.

The Pixar sequel raked in a huge $136.2 million on its debut which is the biggest animated opening ever smashing Shrek the Third’s total of $121.6 million back in 2007.

It’s also 2016’s second biggest opening behind Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War. The colossal earnings puts it second behind last summer’s Jurassic World, which posted $208.8 million to become the highest grossing June release ever. The opening beat Pixar’s previous record debut, which was Toy Story 3 with $110.3m.

But the number which the studio is undoubtedly gunning for is $936.7 million which was ironically posted by original classic Finding Nemo back in 2003, which still stands as one of the most commercially successfully animated picture ever.

While Disney-owned Pixar still have some way to go before beating that record – the signs looks very good. According to Deadline, the sequel, which features the voice talents of Ellen Degeneres and Albert Brooks, is set to earn between $446 million and $629 million in North America alone.

And comScore’s senior media analyst Paul Dergarabedian insists that the movie’s record breaking figures have surprised everyone.

He said (via the BBC): “The thought was ‘could this be the movie to eclipse Toy Story 3’s opening, not, ‘could it become the biggest animated opening of all time?’.

“That’s the power of the Pixar brand.”

Disney distribution chief Dave Hollis thanked the original movie’s loyal, and considerably large, fanbase for the follow-up’s massive success.

He said: “The original movie is so beloved and a part of our culture, we’ve dubbed it ‘Generation Nemo.’ For those who saw this movie 13 years ago, it’s the movie of their childhood, the movie they saw in college.

“At the time, it was the biggest animation release of all-time and left an indelible mark for great reason, and now there’s an insatiable want-to-see. From our exit polls, people are loving the movie effusively.”

Finding Dory, which is co-directed by Pixar stalwart Andrew Stanton and first-time helmer Angus MacLane, will be released gradually through out the world over June, July, August and September. Check IMDb for more release info.