Box Office Success
The live-action remake of Dreamworks’ animation "How to Train Your Dragon" has soared to the top of the North American charts, setting a new franchise opening record and maintaining the positive start to the summer blockbuster season. The film opened with an estimated $83.7 million at 4,365 locations via Universal, making it the fourth largest debut of the year.
Comparing to Other Movies
The movie’s opening is behind "A Minecraft film", "Lilo & Stitch", and "Captain America: Brave New World" in terms of debut numbers. However, with a total fund of $151.7 million over the three-day weekend, North America has generated $3.7 billion so far, which is 23% ahead of the same stage in 2024.
Movie Details
Dean DeBlois, who directed the original 2010 "How to Train Your Dragon" based on the Cressida Cowell books, returns to his role in the new film, along with Gerard Butler as the Viking leader Stoick. Mason Thames plays the clan driver’s son, Hiccup, who befriends a fearsome dragon when the community is exposed to an existential threat. The lineup also includes Nico Parker as Astrid and Nick Frost as combat trainer Gobber.
Audience Reception
With a CinemaScore and generally strong reviews, "How to Train Your Dragon" follows the success of Disney’s "Lilo & Stitch" animation remake and Warner Bros/Legendary’s "A Minecraft film" adaptation. This suggests that millennial and younger generations react well to strong adaptations of beloved characters from their youth. Around 5.8 million people went to see "How to Train Your Dragon" over the weekend, with the audience divided 53%-47% female-male, and "family groups" making up 51% of the viewers.
Future Prospects
Pixar’s "Elio" arrives this week, but there will be enough opportunities for "How to Train Your Dragon" to approach a significant number, especially with schools on vacation. A film sequel is planned for June 11, 2027. The movie’s success is also expected to increase interest in the new themed park trips in Florida, which opened last month.
Other Movies’ Performance
"Lilo & Stitch" took second place on its fourth weekend, earning $15.5 million via Disney for a total of $366.4 million. A24’s "Materialist", a love triangle romance starring Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal, opened in third place with a solid $12 million from 2,844 locations. Paramount/Skydance’s "Mission: Impossible – The Last Billing" fell to fourth place, earning $166.3 million after four sessions. Neon expanded Mike Flanagan’s 2024 TIFF People’s Choice Award winner "Chuck’s Life" to 1,072 locations, reporting a weekend of $2.1 million for the feel-good Stephen King adaptation starring Tom Hiddleston.
