Universal Pictures’ live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon is making waves at the global box office, heading for a massive $200.8 million worldwide haul during its debut weekend. With an impressive domestic start of $82.7 million, this adaptation has already become the franchise’s most successful opening yet, reigniting fan enthusiasm and drawing critical acclaim.
Directed by Dean DeBlois—who also helmed the original 2010 animated film—the live-action version reintroduces the beloved tale with fresh cinematic grandeur. Mason Thames leads as Hiccup, the young Viking who forges an unlikely friendship with a Night Fury dragon, Toothless, while Gerard Butler returns in the fatherly role of Stoick. The film has managed to strike a perfect balance between nostalgic storytelling and modern visual magic.
In North America alone, the film grossed $35.6 million on Friday, including $11.1 million from preview screenings. Nearly half of that day’s viewers were aged between 13 and 24, showing strong support from Gen Z audiences. The film earned an “A” grade on CinemaScore and an overwhelming 98% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, underscoring its broad appeal.
Internationally, How to Train Your Dragon garnered $117.7 million from 53 markets, boosting its global status dramatically. Premium viewing formats like IMAX contributed nearly 40% of ticket sales, giving the film an additional edge over competitors.
Meanwhile, Disney’s Lilo & Stitch remake, which had dominated the box office for the past three weekends, dropped to second place with estimated weekend earnings of $13–14 million. Its total North American gross now sits at $365 million, with worldwide revenues exceeding $800 million.
In other box office news, A24’s Materialists, starring Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal, is shaping up to become the studio’s third-biggest wide release ever. It’s projected to earn $11–12 million as it explores themes of matchmaking, affluence, and modern romance.
Also staying in the race is Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, which continues its box office run in fourth place. The Tom Cruise action thriller added $9.3 million in its fourth weekend, bringing its domestic total to $165 million, and is inching toward the $500 million global benchmark.
With rave reviews, a nostalgic narrative, and global enthusiasm, How to Train Your Dragon is set to become a standout cinematic success for 2025.
