Universal’s live-action reboot of How to Train Your Dragon stormed the North American box office this weekend, debuting with an impressive $83.7 million and flying past expectations. Directed by franchise veteran Dean DeBlois, the film revives the iconic bond between Viking teen Hiccup (Mason Thames) and his dragon Toothless, capturing a new generation of fans while retaining the charm of the original animated trilogy.
The film outperformed its 2019 predecessor The Hidden World, which opened with $55 million, and has already brought in $114.1 million internationally—bringing the global total to a fiery $197.8 million.
Box office analyst Paul Dergarabedian praised the film’s marketing and timing, noting its success as another live-action remake that resonates with audiences, especially during the competitive summer season.
Disney’s Lilo & Stitch slid to second place with $15.5 million after ruling the box office for three weekends, while romantic dramedy Materialists, starring Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans, claimed third with a solid $12 million debut.
Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning stayed in the mix with $10.3 million, landing fourth, followed by Ballerina, the John Wick spinoff starring Ana de Armas, which earned $9.4 million. Despite strong reviews, analysts believe the film could build momentum on streaming, echoing the slow-burn success of the original John Wick.
Rounding out the top ten: Karate Kid: Legends ($5M), Final Destination: Bloodlines ($3.9M), Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme ($3M), The Life of Chuck ($2.1M), and Ryan Coogler’s Sinners ($1.4M), which continues to draw despite being available digitally.
The U.S. box office is currently up 23% compared to the same time last year, with upcoming releases like Eilo, F1, Superman, and 28 Days Later expected to sustain the momentum.
Swifteradio.com
