Summary
- Despicable Me 2 has appeared on Netflix’s Weekly Top 10 list for ten non-consecutive weeks, indicating its recurring popularity.
- The movie has been more popular than the original Despicable Me and sits as the second most-watched film in the United States on Netflix’s Daily Top 10 chart.
- The success of Despicable Me 2 can likely be attributed to its enduring popularity among audiences, the recent opening of Minions Land at Universal Studios Florida, and the summer season allowing families to revisit their favorite animated movies.
A beloved animated hit is seeing a resurgence on streaming as, for the tenth week, Despicable Me 2 has appeared on Netflix’s Weekly Top 10 list of most-watched films worldwide. A sequel to Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud’s animated 2010 hit, Despicable Me 2 was originally released in 2013 and stars Steve Carell and Kristen Wiig as Gru and Lucy, respectively. Now the father of three young girls, Gru is recruited by the good guys to defeat a new supervillain.
Netflix added Despicable Me 2 back to its catalog on August 1, and for the week of August 7 through 13, it racked up 4.8 million views. The streamer’s official site notes the movie has been on the Top 10 list for ten non-consecutive weeks, indicating its recurring popularity. Additionally, when looking at Netflix’s Daily Top 10, it sits as the second most-watched film in the United States. It is even seeing more popularity than the original Despicable Me.
What Is Driving Despicable Me 2’s Success?
While other titles on Netflix’s Weekly Top 10, such as Happiness for Beginners and Heart of Stone, premiered in the past few weeks, Despicable Me 2 is a decade-old movie. However, this is not the first time in recent memory the Gru-led franchise has enjoyed a summer boost. Many may recall last July’s “Gentle Minions” TikTok trend, which saw teens arriving at theaters in suits to watch the Despicable Me spinoff Minions: The Rise of Gru. The animated franchise has shown, time and again, its enduring popularity among audiences.
Despicable Me 2‘s streaming spike could also be connected to the recent opening of Minions Land at Universal Studios Florida, a spot featuring a Minions-themed café and a Gru laboratory. For many, Despicable Me remains at the forefront of their minds. It is also worth mentioning that other classic animated movies such as The Bee Movie and Madagascar 3 are trending in the U.S. on Netflix as well, possibly because families have less hectic schedules in the summer and can return to family favorites.
As the summer winds to a close and kids go back to school, Despicable Me 2 may lose its holding on the Netflix chart. However, given the forecasted decrease in new content amid Hollywood’s striking writers and actors, perhaps this Minions-frenzy will persist beyond the summer months as people seek comfort films.
Sources: Netflix