As Expected, the Live Action Film HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON Earns USD70 Million in Its Opening Weekend

Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation successfully brought the live action adaptation of HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON to the big screen with very promising results. The film immediately dominated the box office during its opening weekend.

The high enthusiasm from family audiences and the nostalgic power of the animated version released in 2010 were key to the success of this film. Positive responses also came from international markets that reacted to the simultaneous global release.

The film grossed between USD70 million and USD80 million domestically. This figure indicates a strong start for a production that cost up to USD150 million. Check out the full explanation below.

1. Box Office Performance According to Initial Projections

As Expected, the Live Action HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON Earns USD70 Million in Its Opening Weekend (credit: imdb)

The debut of the live-action HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON immediately dominated the box office with estimated earnings between USD70 million and USD80 million in the domestic market. This projection comes from independent tracking agencies as well as sources from competing studios.

In addition to domestically, the film was also launched globally in nearly all major markets and is projected to generate around USD110 million from international screenings. This success marks a strong launch for the large-scale family film.

2. Familiar Production Factors and Story Background

Dean DeBlois was once again entrusted to write and direct this film, after previously directing the animated HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON trilogy. DeBlois's return provides a creative continuity that strengthens this live-action version.

The story is still set in the mythical Viking village of Berk, with the tale of Hiccup, a skinny teenager who forms an unexpected friendship with a dragon named Toothless. Their bond challenges the long-standing tradition of hostility between Vikings and dragons that has lasted for centuries.

3. Positive Response Despite Not Being as Spectacular as the Animated Film

As Expected, the Live Action HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON Earns USD70 Million in Its Opening Weekend (credit: imdb)

The reviews for this film are generally positive, although not as high as the animated film released in 2010. Critics appreciate the film's fidelity to the essence of the original story while bringing a more grand cinematic feel.

The main critic from Variety stated that although it is difficult to match the emotional power of the first film, the final act of this live-action version still has iconic visual impressions. This approach becomes a strength in this adaptation.

4. Market Dominance and Competition with Other Family Films

This film successfully displaced the dominance of LILO & STITCH, which had previously held the top box office position for three weeks. The competition among family films has once again captured the market's attention with high audience enthusiasm.

Nevertheless, LILO & STITCH continues to show outstanding performance with a total domestic revenue of USD339 million and USD775 million globally. However, the presence of HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON remains a serious competitor in the family film segment.

5. Plans for the Future and the Impact of Early Success

As Expected, the Live Action HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON Earns USD70 Million in its Opening Weekend (credit: imdb)

Along with this success, Universal has announced that a sequel to HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON will be released in 2027. This indicates that the studio is very confident about the continuation of the franchise in live-action format.

The previous animated trilogy has achieved a global revenue of USD1.6 billion and four Oscar nominations. This success serves as a strong foundation for building a new chapter in the cinematic world of Hiccup and Toothless.

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