Minions and Monsters stumbles at July 4 box office, Sky buys ITV

Universal and Illumination's "Minions and Monsters" posted a tepid U.S. opening over the July 4 holiday weekend while Angel Studios' "Young Washington" drew a solid turnout with a $20 million debut. Comcast-owned Sky also unveiled a $2.1 billion deal to acquire ITV's broadcast and streaming assets. On Variety's LISTEN briefing, Rebecca Rubin and K.J. Yossman explain why the muted holiday frame and the cross-Atlantic media deal both matter now.

For more industry shifts, see our Streaming & TV Alerts coverage.

Key Takeaways

• "Minions and Monsters" logged a tepid domestic debut during a muted July 4 holiday weekend at the U.S. box office.
• "Young Washington" opened to about $20 million, connecting with heartland and values-driven audiences Angel Studios targets.
• Global receipts near $160 million and an estimated $85 million budget may still keep the animated sequel profitable.
• Sky will pay $2.1 billion for ITV's linear network and ITVX; ITV Studios stays a separate public company.
• The deal follows Comcast's plan to separate cable and technology assets from NBCUniversal and Sky.

Why Did 'Minions and Monsters' Stumble at the July 4 Box Office?

Universal and Illumination's latest Despicable Me universe entry topped the weekend but disappointed stateside. Rebecca Rubin reports a tepid U.S. opening during a softer July 4 holiday frame, according to Variety.

The franchise has historically leaned overseas, and this release followed that pattern. "Minions and Monsters" had already opened in several international territories and pushed its global total to roughly $160 million. Rubin notes that overseas strength matters because the film does not carry the biggest production budget in animation—about $85 million, well below pricier tentpoles like "Toy Story."

With that kind of global business, Rubin says the release is not necessarily a big financial wipeout, even if domestic turnout underwhelmed.

How Did 'Young Washington' Outperform Bigger Releases?

While the yellow henchmen cooled at home, Angel Studios' independently produced "Young Washington" became one of the weekend's standouts. The modestly budgeted George Washington biopic grabbed about $20 million in its opening salvo.

The film hit with the heartland and values-driven moviegoers Angel courts across its film and TV slate. For a patriotic story timed to Independence Day, that audience match helped the indie release punch above its weight on a crowded calendar.

Why Is Comcast's Sky Buying ITV for $2.1 Billion?

Comcast's Sky agreed to acquire ITV's media and entertainment business for $2.1 billion. Comcast gains ITV's linear broadcast network and the ITVX streaming platform. ITV Studios remains a standalone publicly traded company owned by ITV shareholders.

Variety's London-based reporter K.J. Yossman calls it a huge shake-up and a sign of the times for the U.K. TV sector, where local players are finding it harder to go it alone without broader media partnerships.

The timing also fits Comcast's recent plan to separate its core cable and technology operations from NBCUniversal and Sky. Yossman argues the ITV acquisition feels like the second half of that deal—consolidating entertainment assets as the company restructures.

What Should Viewers and Investors Watch Next?

The July 4 weekend captured a split-screen moment: franchise animation can cool domestically while global receipts cushion the blow, and targeted theatrical releases can still break through. Transatlantic consolidation is accelerating as legacy broadcasters seek partners.

Whether "Minions and Monsters" keeps climbing abroad, "Young Washington" holds momentum, or regulators bless Sky's ITV bid will shape the rest of 2026. For now, the story is a tepid Minions opening, a surprise Washington win, and a billion-dollar bet on British TV.