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FILE - This undated file photo provided by Disney shows Johnny Depp as Tonto in a scene from "The Lone Ranger." Domestic box office numbers so far on this long Fourth of July holiday weekend are suggesting the highly anticipated, 50 million Western extravaganza is in serious danger of becoming the train wreck of the summer movie season. The animated minions of family favorite “Despicable Me 2,” with a price tag one third of what “The Lone Ranger” cost to make, is outperforming the masked man by more than three to one. (AP Photo/Disney Enterprises, Inc.)

‘Despicable Me 2’ tramples ‘The Lone Ranger’ at holiday box office, with $59.5M to $19.5M

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The minions have overtaken “The Lone Ranger.”

Studio estimates Friday show “Despicable Me 2” is trampling the Johnny Depp Western at the holiday box office. The animated Universal sequel has collected three times more than the Disney cowboy caper since both films debuted Wednesday.

“Despicable Me 2” earned $59.5 million so far, while “The Lone Ranger” took in $19.5 million in ticket sales.

Moviegoers opted for the minions over the masked man by more than 2 to 1 on Independence Day. The family film dominated with $24.5 million Thursday, compared with Ranger’s $9.86 million.

Poor reviews for “The Lone Ranger” may have translated to sluggish ticket sales. Chicago Sun-Times critic Richard Roeper called the $250 million Western “slick trash.”

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