Despicable Me 2 Passes $900 Million Worldwide

, the Universal Pictures/Illumination Entertainment sequel that was projected by many box office analysts to top out at around $500 million at the global box office, will nearly double that, as the studios announced today that the film has grossed $900 million worldwide.That still can’t match up to Iron Man 3‘s $1.2 billion, but it’s a solid #2 for the year, with Man of Steel ($662 million) a distant third with about as much space between it and Despicable Me 2 as is between the top two pictures.It’s also second–all-time, not this year–in the number of territories where it’s opened at #1, with 67, according to Deadline. That means it’s dominated everywhere it’s been more than any movie this side of Jurassic Park.Despicable Me 2 is also the 5th highest-grossing animated feature film of all time worldwide and the 6th highest-grossing animated film of all time at the overseas box office. It’s also the only movie released theatrically in 2012 or 2013 which made more than $300 million and originated as a movie. All of the other $300 million-plus earners–The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Skyfall, The Hunger Games, The Dark Knight Rises, The Avengers, Iron Man 3 and Man of Steel–originated as comics or novels. Only one other movie–Pixar’s Monsters University–has even cleared $250 million domestically as a made-for-cinema concept.A third film in the franchise–a prequel that revolves around Gru’s minions (seen above), is coming in 2015. That film will see Steve Carell (at least for now) exit the franchise, replaced by Sandra Bullock.