After crossing $300 million domestic and $400 million worldwide earlier today, Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment have announced that a sequel to The Secret Life of Pets is happening. The studio revealed that The Secret Life of Pets 2 will take the previously unspecified July 13, 2018 release date set by Illumination Entertainment. As of now, the project doesn't have any direct competition, but it is situated right between Marvel's Ant-Man and the Wasp (July 6, 2018) and 20th Century Fox's Alita: Battle Angel (July 20, 2018).

Variety reports that original Secret Life of Pets director Chris Renaud and writer Brian Lynch will return for the sequel, which will be produced by Illumination's founder/CEO Christopher Meledandri and his longtime producing partner Janet Healy. It isn't known if Chris Renaud's co-director Yarrow Cheney or Brian Lynch's co-writers Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio will return.

The Secret Life of Pets set a new box office record last month with its opening weekend of $104.3 million, the highest ever for an original movie, either in live action or animation. It has currently earned $300.3 million domestically and $103.5 million internationally for a global total of $403.8 million, from a $75 million budget. The animated comedy has opened as the #1 movie in 18 international markets, and it will open in 48 additional foreign markets today, including the all-important Chinese market.

The voice cast for The Secret Life of Pets includes Louis C.K., Eric Stonestreet, Kevin Hart, Steve Coogan, Ellie Kemper, Bobby Moynihan, Lake Bell, Dana Carvey, Hannibal Buress, Jenny Slate and Albert Brooks, but it hasn't been confirmed it they will all return or not. The story takes place in one bustling Manhattan apartment building, where the real day starts after the folks on two legs leave for work and school. That's when the pets of every stripe, fur, and feather begin their own nine-to-five routine: hanging out with each other, trading humiliating stories about their owners or auditioning adorable looks to get better snacks.

The building's top dog, Max (voiced by Louis C.K.) is a quick-witted terrier rescue who's convinced he sits at the center of his owner's universe, only to find his pampered life rocked when she brings home Duke (Eric Stonestreet), a sloppy, massive mess of a mongrel with zero interpersonal skills. When this reluctant canine duo find themselves out on the mean streets of New York, they have to set aside their differences and unite against a fluffy-yet cunning bunny named Snowball (Kevin Hart), who's building an army of ex-pets abandoned by their owners and out how to turn the tables on humanity...All before dinner time. Stay tuned for more on The Secret Life of Pets 2 as soon as more updates come in.