The recent box office triumph of Universal Pictures’ live-action remake of “How to Train Your Dragon” has stirred excitement and interest among movie enthusiasts. The film soared with an impressive earnings of $83.7 million during its opening weekend, representing the best domestic debut in the history of this beloved franchise. This remarkable figure surpassed analysts’ expectations, who had predicted an opening of around $70 million. The success of “How to Train Your Dragon” is significant as it effectively dethroned Disney’s live-action adaptation of “Lilo & Stitch,” which had retained the top position at the box office for three consecutive weekends prior to this.
Paul Dergarabedian, a senior analyst at Comscore, noted the ongoing demand for family-friendly content rated PG, along with the powerful nostalgia associated with the original “How to Train Your Dragon” animated films, which together have grossed over a staggering billion dollars globally over the years. The first film in the franchise was released in 2010 and opened to approximately $64.5 million, adjusted for inflation, while the third installment garnered about $81 million during its release in 2019. These comparisons highlight the remarkable growth of the series, culminating in this latest success.
Alongside this noteworthy release, A24 Films introduced “Materialists,” which premiered with $12 million in earnings, surpassing the eighth installment of the “Mission: Impossible” franchise, which earned $10.3 million and now ranks third at the box office for the weekend. Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch,” meanwhile, continued to perform admirably with a domestic total of $366 million after raking in $15.5 million this week.
With Father’s Day weekend presenting a diverse selection of films, including family-centric offerings like “How to Train Your Dragon” and “Lilo & Stitch,” action-packed experiences such as “Mission Impossible — The Final Reckoning,” and romantic comedies like “Materialists,” the overall box office revenue for the year has reached $3.72 billion. This figure represents a 23% improvement compared to the same period last year, indicating a robust recovery and growth in the cinema sector.
Shawn Robbins, the director of analytics at Fandango and the founder of Box Office Theory, acknowledged the strategic decision to open “How to Train Your Dragon” on Father’s Day weekend, highlighting its themes of father-son relationships. This move not only capitalized on a beloved modern animated classic but also connected with audiences celebrating the holiday. Robbins commented that the overall gross for the weekend might experience a slight increase as a result of the holiday’s influence on family outings.
Notably, PG-rated films have accrued $1.53 billion, accounting for 41% of the year’s box office earnings, according to Comscore data. However, it is crucial to recognize that not all family-friendly live-action adaptations have enjoyed such success. For example, Disney’s “Snow White” fell short of expectations, grossing only $43 million during its debut weekend. Yet, some of the most successful adaptations include Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” which grossed $230.4 million, and “The Lion King,” which tallied $240.3 million, both figures accounting for inflation.
David A. Gross, an industry analyst, remarked that the success of “How to Train Your Dragon” is indicative of its positioning as a “hybrid film,” likening it to the “Sonic the Hedgehog” movies due to its combination of animation and live-action elements. The second installment of “Sonic the Hedgehog,” released in 2022, raked in $71 million during its first weekend, illustrating the escalating popularity and acceptance of such hybrid films in contemporary cinema.
Looking ahead, industry experts such as Dergarabedian anticipate that “How to Train Your Dragon” will continue its impressive performance, even with the impending release of Pixar’s “Elio.” Dergarabedian expressed optimism about the current summer blockbusters, stating, “This summer is really just revving up,” indicating a promising period for filmgoers, theaters, and studios alike. The success of these films has been a pivotal factor contributing to a spectacular summer for the movie industry.