Monsters University Box Office Prediction

The battle for top animated movie of the summer begins this weekend at the box office. The question is: will it be Monsters University or Despicable Me 2 that end up as 2013’s highest grossing kiddie pic?

Pixar gets first crack as Monsters University, a prequel to 2001’s Monsters Inc. It’s worth noting that 12 years is a long break between any follow-up film, even a successful animated feature. That’s why some are predicting Despicable Me 2 (where the well-received original came out just three years ago) might outdo University.

Monsters Inc. was the fourth Pixar title. Monsters University is the fourteenth. Let’s take a look at Pixar’s opening weekend during that time frame, shall we?

Monsters Inc. (2001): $62.5 million

Finding Nemo (2003): $70.2 million

The Incredibles (2004): $70.4 million

Cars (2006): $60.1 million

Ratatouille (2007): $47 million

Wall-E (2008): $63 million

Up (2009): $68.1 million

Toy Story 3 (2010): $110.3 million

Cars 2 (2011): $66.1 million

Brave (2012): $66.3 million

So where will Monsters University fall? Well, it’s highly unlikely to have the all-time Pixar opening weekend record. Toy Story 3 has that wrapped up. However, it’s got a great shot at #2. It would need to make just over $70 million for that designation and the film may well top $80 million. It’s certainly got a built-in audience, the revered Pixar name, and it is the only title out there marketing primarily towards the kid audience (Epic has grossed what it’s going to gross). A typical Pixar $70M gross wouldn’t surprise me, but I’m going on the high end with my prediction.

Monsters University opening weekend prediction: $82.1 million