LOS ANGELES — The remake of “How to Train Your Dragon” has taken a commanding position at the weekend box office, demonstrating that select remakes can still captivate audiences. The contemporary live-action adaptation by Universal of the much-loved animated franchise soared to a robust $83.7 million opening in cinemas across North America, according to estimates released by Comscore on Sunday.
Under the direction of franchise stalwart Dean DeBlois, the movie narrates the endearing tale of an unexpected friendship between Hiccup, a young Viking portrayed by Mason Thames, and Toothless, a dragon. This reboot significantly outshone the 2019 release, “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World,” which garnered $55 million during its opening weekend. Furthermore, on an international scale, the film has amassed over $114.1 million, which brings its worldwide earnings to an impressive $197.8 million.
“This film exemplifies how live-action reinterpretations can truly deliver the marketing hype,” noted Paul Dergarabedian, Comscore’s senior media analyst. He continued, “The sustained interest and appeal of these films, especially in the summer months, have been nothing short of phenomenal.”
“How to Train Your Dragon” also climbed to the top of the box office ranks, surpassing Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch,” which descended to second place after leading for three consecutive weekends. The hybrid live-action film added $15 million this weekend, bringing its domestic haul to over $386.3 million.
In third place, “Materialists,” a contemporary romantic story set in New York, starred Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans, making a $12 million debut. The film features Johnson as an astute matchmaker caught in a love triangle involving an ex-boyfriend, a struggling actor, and a seemingly perfect, affluent “unicorn.”
Taking fourth place was “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning,” which managed to gross $10.3 million, narrowly avoiding a dip into single-digit earnings. Meanwhile, “Ballerina,” a spinoff from the John Wick franchise, fell to fifth with $9.4 million, despite receiving commendations from audiences and critics alike. Directed by Len Wiseman, the action-packed movie stars Ana de Armas with Keanu Reeves making a notable cameo.
Dergarabedian suggested that “Ballerina” might witness a surge later, akin to the 2014’s “John Wick.” “The franchise gained substantial traction once it hit home video or streaming platforms, and we might see that pattern here,” he remarked.
In other releases, “Karate Kid: Legends” secured $5 million to claim the sixth position, while “Final Destination: Bloodlines” edged into seventh with a $3.9 million haul. Wes Anderson’s “The Phoenician Scheme” captured eighth place with $3 million, and “The Life of Chuck,” an adaptation of a Stephen King tale, garnered $2.1 million for ninth.
Closing out the top ten was “Sinners” featuring Michael B. Jordan, amassing $1.4 million. The film’s performance is particularly notable as it is already accessible on various digital platforms two months post-release.
Overall, the box office has seen a commendable 23% increase compared to this point in 2024. According to Dergarabedian, there is anticipation for upcoming films such as “Eilo,” “F1,” “Superman,” and “28 Days Later,” which could make a positive impact on ticket sales.
Here’s a rundown of the weekend’s top 10 films by domestic box office receipts, factoring in estimated sales from Friday through Sunday across theaters in the U.S. and Canada:
1. “How to Train Your Dragon,” $83.7 million
2. “Lilo and Stitch,” $15 million
3. “Materialists,” $12 million
4. “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” $10.3 million
5. “From the World of John Wick: Ballerina,” $9.4 million
6. “Karate Kid: Legends,” $5 million
7. “Final Destination: Bloodlines,” $3.9 million
8. “The Phoenician Scheme,” $3 million
9. “The Life of Chuck,” $2.1 million
10. “Sinners,” $1.4 million