Dragons' Roars Echo in 'How to Train Your Dragon' Box Office Debut of $83.7 Million USD

Summary

• The live-action How to Train Your Dragon” soared to an impressive $83.7 million USD in its North American debut, claiming th No. 1 spot
• The film achieved a worldwide total of $197.8 million USD in its opening weekend, with an additional $114.1 million USD from international markets
• The movie garnered an “A” CinemaScore and a 98% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes

Universal Pictures‘ live-action adaptation of the beloved animated hit, How to Train Your Dragon has flown to an impressive $83.7 million USD debut in North American theaters this past weekend, proving that some remakes still have the magic to captivate audiences on a grand scale. The film’s strong performance easily claimed the No. 1 spot at the domestic box office, unseating Disney’s Lilo & Stitch, which had enjoyed a three-weekend reign.

Directed by Dean DeBlois, who helmed the original animated trilogy, the new How to Train Your Dragon brings the heartwarming story of the unlikely friendship between young Viking Hiccup (Mason Thames) and his dragon, Toothless, to life in a fresh, live-action format. The film’s opening weekend surpasses that of How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019), which debuted with $55 million, signaling a significant expansion of the franchise’s reach.

Globally, the film’s performance is even more robust, adding over $114.1 million USD internationally for a worldwide total of $197.8 million USD. This impressive start is a testament to the beloved nature of the IP and the effective marketing campaign that promised a visually stunning and emotionally resonant cinematic experience. Early audience reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with an “A” CinemaScore and a 98% Rotten Tomatoes audience score, indicating strong word-of-mouth potential for continued success throughout the summer.

The success of How to Train Your Dragon further solidifies the trend of live-action remakes delivering powerful box office results, particularly when handled with care and helmed by familiar creative forces. It’s a clear win for Universal and DreamWorks, kicking off the summer blockbuster season with a resounding triumph and demonstrating that dragons, it seems, still have plenty of fire left.