‘Despicable Me 2’ generates $80 million in home video sales

It looks like plenty of stockings will be stuffed with minions DVDs this year.

The computer animated family film “Despicable Me 2” sold $80 million worth of DVDs, Blu-ray discs and digital copies in its first week in release, according to its distributor Universal Pictures.

The “Despicable Me” sequel that hit store shelves on Dec. 10 sold 4.5 million units in its first week, posting the biggest figure for any animated movie since its 2010 predecessor. Among animated Blu-ray titles, it was the biggest opening ever.

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“Despicable Me 2,” from Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment, debuted in theaters in July and made $367 million in the U.S. and Canada, making it the second biggest release of the past year, and has topped $918 million worldwide.

The film features the voices of Steve Carell and Kristen Wiig.

Universal said the electronic download version of the movie, which was released on Nov. 26 before the physical items, is on pace to become the biggest-selling digital title ever.

Marketing leading up to the release capitalized on the holiday season and included a float in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and minion-themed trucks that visited cities to pump up interest by distributing prizes and starting flash mobs.

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