“Despicable Me 4” has surpassed a previous installment to set a significant Rotten Tomatoes record. The latest animated film, featuring the voices of Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, and Will Ferrell, marks the sixth entry in the franchise, which also includes two prequel spin-offs in the Minions series. Released on Wednesday, July 3, just in time for the Fourth of July holiday weekend in the United States, the movie is projected to gross approximately $120 million over its five-day opening.

Audience ratings for “Despicable Me 4” have been steadily increasing on Rotten Tomatoes as more viewers flock to theatres. Initially tied with “Despicable Me 2” at an 89% audience score, the film has now edged ahead to 90%. Although this score may fluctuate as additional reviews are submitted, it currently boasts the highest audience score within the six-movie franchise.

Achieving this milestone is noteworthy, given that three previous “Despicable Me” films have garnered audience scores ranging from 83% to 89%, leaving little room for improvement. This accomplishment is particularly striking considering the significant disparity between audience and critic ratings for the latest installment, which holds a critic score of just 55%.

The nearly 100 critic reviews for “Despicable Me 4” tell a contrasting story compared to audience reactions. Critics have widely panned the film, citing a lack of the original installments’ creative energy and critiquing the perceived lacklustre performances of the cast and crew. While some audience reviews echo these sentiments, the majority praise the film for its beloved characters and trademark slapstick humour.

There remains a possibility that the audience score for “Despicable Me 4” could decline over time. The current score is based on reviews from early viewers, who may be predisposed to enjoy new releases in the popular franchise. However, the growing divide between critics and audiences, particularly since the 2020s, suggests that this gap may persist.