'Secret Life of Pets' purrs with strong $5.3 million at Thursday box office
"The Secret Life of Pets" got off to a great start at the Thursday box office, taking in $5.3 million across 3,009 theaters.
The studio expects the animated feature to open north of its 2010 "Despicable Me" numbers — $56.4 million — which would likely easily beat "Finding Dory" as it plays in its fourth weekend in theaters.
Industry analysts have dramatically higher estimates for the Illumination-Universal animated feature, predicting a domestic debut somewhere between $75 and $80 million. It will expand into 4,329 theaters on Friday.
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The lead character in "Secret Life of Pets" is a terrier named Max, voiced by Louis C.K., who goes on an odyssey through New York City with his newly-adopted roommate Duke — a massive furry brown dog voiced by Eric Stonestreet — as they try to make their way back home.
Fox's R-rated comedy "Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates" enjoyed a solid start as well with $1.6 million.
More to come...
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RELATED: Watch the trailer for "Secret Life of Pets" below:
