The live-action reboot of “How to Train Your Dragon” took flight with an impressive $83.7 million opening weekend in North American theaters. Directed by Dean DeBlois, the film revisits the story of Hiccup (Mason Thames) and his dragon Toothless. The movie outperformed the 2019 animated installment, “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World”, which debuted at $55 million.
Global Earnings Near $200 Million
Internationally, the film added $114.1 million, bringing its global total to $197.8 million. Paul Dergarabedian of Comscore noted that the film’s strong showing reflects the ongoing success of summer remakes, saying, “The longevity and playability of some of these films particularly in the summer has been nothing short of miraculous.”
“Lilo & Stitch” Slips to Second
After three weeks at No. 1, Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch” remake dropped to second place, earning $15 million and pushing its domestic total beyond $386.3 million.
“Materialists” Opens in Third Place
“Materialists”, a romantic dramedy starring Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans, debuted in third with $12 million. Johnson plays a New York matchmaker caught between an ex-boyfriend and a wealthy suitor in this modern-day love story.
“Mission: Impossible” and “Ballerina” Round Out Top Five
“Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning” held onto fourth place with $10.3 million. Meanwhile, “Ballerina”, the John Wick spinoff starring Ana de Armas, fell to fifth place with $9.4 million. Despite positive reviews, its box office run has been slow, though Dergarabedian suggested it might find a second wind through streaming, similar to the original “John Wick”.
Remaining Films in the Top Ten
In sixth place, “Karate Kid: Legends” earned $5 million. Horror film “Final Destination: Bloodlines” followed with $3.9 million. Wes Anderson’s “The Phoenician Scheme” brought in $3 million for eighth place. “The Life of Chuck”, based on a Stephen King story, made $2.1 million in ninth. Rounding out the top ten was “Sinners”, directed by Ryan Coogler and starring Michael B. Jordan, earning $1.4 million—impressive for a film already available on digital platforms.
Box Office Up 23% Over Last Year
The domestic box office is currently tracking 23% ahead of this time in 2024. Upcoming titles like “Eilo”, “F1”, “Superman”, and “28 Days Later” could help sustain momentum through the summer.
A full update on worldwide totals is expected Sunday. Stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine for the update!