'Finding Dory' Has Smashed 'Minions' On It's Opening Night

On Thursday night the first public screening of Finding Dory took place and has so far earned $9.2 million, which is the highest ever preview tally ever for an animated movie. The film has been predicted to take an estimated $116 million in the opening weekend at the box office. Obviously we will have to wait until Sunday to find out the results.

'Deadline' reports that the tally has crushed the previous record which was set by Universal's 'Minions'. 'Minions' had earned 46.2 million on it's Thursday night screening in summer 2015. It was estimated to earn $115.7 million during its big opening weekend. It's looking likely that Finding Dory will reach its estimated target this weekend.

If it reaches its target, it will fly to the top of the board by breaking the record for the biggest opening weekend ever for an animated movie. The previous record was set by the well known 'Shrek the Third', which ended up earning $121.6 million on its opening weekend back in 2007. Finding Dory has also beaten Pixars 'Toy Story 3' which earned $4 million on it's Thursday screening and $110.3 in its opening weekend.

Finding Dory will also have the widest release in Pixar history, opening in 4,205 theatres. Overnight, the incredibly long awaited sequel to 'Finding Nemo' had got incredible reviews with a rather impressive score of 95% score.