Illumination Entertainment’s latest animation movie The Secret Life of Pets has made its way to the top of the box office with a massive €131 million profit worldwide in its opening weekend.

The movie raced ahead of Finding Dory, the Finding Nemo sequel that has held the #1 spot on the chart for the last three weeks.

Illumination Entertainment is the animation company behind smash hit animations like Minions and Despicable Me.

The family film that shows what dogs, cats and other pets do while their owners are at work, cost around €68 million to produce - roughly half of what most studios spend on an animation.

"Illumination just has a way of creating 'want to see' movies," Nick Carpou, Universal's US distribution chief told Reuters. "They make movies that resonate with audiences."

Universal Studios is backing the movie that also launched a franchise with toys and t-shirts.

The Secret Life of Pets has gathered some positive reviews from movie-goers, with an impressive 75 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes. According to the website, the critics claimed the movie “fast-paced, funny, and blessed with a talented voice cast.” It was said to offer “a beautifully animated, cheerfully undemanding family diversion.”

The movie stars comedians Louis C.K and Kevin Hart and actor Eric Stonestreet.

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