‘Despicable Me’ tramples ‘Lone Ranger’ at theaters

This file photo provided by Universal Pictures shows the minion characters in the film “Despicable Me 2.” AP

LOS ANGELES—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.”