Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment got the holiday weekend fireworks started early at the box office, with the animated sequel Despicable Me 2 taking in an impressive $34.3 million on Wednesday.

The comedy, featuring the voices of Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, and Miranda Cosgrove, is projected to take in $120 million over the five-day weekend in 3,957 theaters. It has already taken in $65.9 million in select international markets for a global total of $100.2 million, from a $76 million budget.

Disney's The Lone Ranger opened significantly lower yesterday, taking in only $9.6 million in 3,904 theaters. The Western starring Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer may not even break the $45 million mark over the long weekend, roughly $20 million less than the $65 million that Disney projected for its five-day total. While the exact budget has not been released, it has been said to be between $215 and $250 million.

The stand up comedy concert movie Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain opened strongly with $4.7 million in just 876 theaters, already surpassing its miniscule $2.5 million budget in just one day.

Stay tuned for the full box office estimates on Sunday.