'How to Train Your Dragon' soars in box office debut with $83.7 million,
beating 'Lilo & Stitch'
[June 16, 2025]
By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — “How to Train Your Dragon” took flight at the box
office this weekend, proving that some remakes still have teeth.
The Universal live-action adaptation of the beloved animated franchise
soared to a strong $83.7 million debut in North American theaters,
according to Comscore estimates Sunday. The film, directed by franchise
veteran Dean DeBlois, follows the unlikely friendship between a young
Viking named Hiccup (Mason Thames) and a dragon called Toothless.
The reboot easily outpaced 2019’s “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden
World,” which opened with $55 million. The latest film earned more than
$114.1 million internationally, bringing the global total to $197.8
million.
“This is yet another example of a live-action remake really delivering
on the promise of the marketing," said Paul Dergarabedian, the senior
media analyst for Comscore. “I think the longevity and playability of
some of these films particularly in the summer has been nothing short of
miraculous.”
“How to Train” also claimed the No. 1 spot ahead of Disney’s “Lilo &
Stitch,” which slipped to second place after topping the charts for
three weekends. That hybrid live-action remake added another $15
million, pushing its domestic total past $386.3 million.
“Materialists," a modern-day New York love story starring Dakota
Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans, rounded out the top three films
of the week with a $12 million debut. The romantic dramedy features
Johnson as a savvy matchmaker caught between two suitors: a broke,
struggling actor who happens to be her ex, and a wealthy “unicorn” who
seems too good to be true.
“Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning” slid to fourth place, taking
in $10.3 million and avoiding a dip into single-digit territory.
The John Wick spinoff “Ballerina” fell to fifth place with $9.4 million,
despite strong reviews from both critics and audiences. Directed by Len
Wiseman, the action film stars Ana de Armas and features Keanu Reeves
reprising his role in a supporting turn.
Dergarabedian said “Ballerina” could have a surge later down the line
similar to 2014's “John Wick.”
“It took a while for that franchise to really catch on,” he said. “You
saw a huge outpouring of interest for the first ‘John Wick’ when it hit
home video or streaming, I should say, and I think the same will happen
here.”
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This image released by A24 shows Dakota Johnson, left, and Chris
Evans in a scene from "Materialists." (A24 via AP)
In sixth place, “Karate Kid: Legends” earned $5 million followed by
“Final Destination: Bloodlines” at seventh with $3.9 million. Wes
Anderson's latest “The Phoenician Scheme” brought in $3 million eighth
place. “The Life of Chuck,” based on a Stephen King story, placed ninth
with $2.1 million.
Rounding out the top 10 was “Sinners." The Ryan Coogler film starring
Michael B. Jordan, drew $1.4 million - which is impressive since the
movie is available to watch at home through online and digital platforms
after being released two months ago.
Overall, the box office is up 23% from this point in 2024.
Dergarabedian said he's looking forward to films in the coming weeks
that could have a positive presence at the box office, such as “Eilo,”
“F1," “Superman” and “28 Days Later.”
Top 10 movies by domestic box office
With final domestic figures being released Monday, this list factors in
the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and
Canadian theaters, according to Comscore:
1. “How to Train Your Dragon," $83.7 million
2. “Lilo and Stitch,” $15.5 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.
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