The live-action remake of "How to Train Your Dragon" has soared to the top of the box office charts, dethroning "Lilo & Stitch" after its three-week reign. The film, directed by Dean DeBlois, a veteran of the franchise, opened with a domestic debut of $83.7 million, surpassing all previous films in the series.
The film's success can be attributed to several factors, including the enduring popularity of the "How to Train Your Dragon" franchise and the appeal of seeing the animated story brought to life with live actors. The familiarity of the intellectual property (IP) has resonated strongly with audiences, as has the marketing campaign, which highlighted the visually stunning and emotionally resonant cinematic experience. The director's return also signaled a commitment to the original's spirit, reassuring fans of the animated trilogy.
Globally, "How to Train Your Dragon" has grossed $197.8 million, with $114.1 million coming from international markets. Mexico led the way with $14 million, followed by the UK ($11.4M), and China ($11.2M). This strong international performance indicates the film's universal appeal and its potential for continued success in the coming weeks.
"Lilo & Stitch," another live-action remake, held the top spot for three weeks, but now sits at number two. The film added $15.5 million to its domestic total, bringing it to $366.3 million. Worldwide, "Lilo & Stitch" has grossed a staggering $858.3 million, making it one of the highest-grossing films of the year.
Other films in the top five include "Materialists," a romantic dramedy starring Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans, which debuted with $12 million; "Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning" which grossed $10.3 million; and "Ballerina," a "John Wick" spin-off starring Ana de Armas, which earned $9.4 million.
The success of "How to Train Your Dragon" is a welcome sign for Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation, demonstrating the continued viability of live-action remakes. The film's opening weekend is the third-biggest ever for a DreamWorks Animation property, behind only "Shrek the Third" ($121.6M) and "Shrek 2" ($108M).
According to Universal, the audience for "How to Train Your Dragon" was 56% female, and 68% was 35 and under. Audiences gave the film a strong "A" CinemaScore, the same grade as the animated films. The film's success is expected to continue throughout the summer, with families providing a consistent audience base. Universal has already announced a sequel for June 2027.
The strong performance of "How to Train Your Dragon" has boosted the overall box office, with the top 10 films earning a combined $146.4 million this weekend. This is down 30.6% from last year, when "Inside Out 2" debuted with $154 million. However, the success of "How to Train Your Dragon" indicates a positive trend for the summer box office season.
