‘How to Train Your Dragon' Soars in Box Office Debut with $83.7 Million, Beating ‘Lilo & Stitch'
(Universal Pictures via AP)
This image released by Universal Pictures shows Mason Thames, as Hiccup, riding Night Fury dragon, Toothless in a scene from 'How to Train Your Dragon.'
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.'
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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yomiuri Shimbun
15 hours ago
- Yomiuri Shimbun
‘How to Train Your Dragon' Soars in Box Office Debut with $83.7 Million, Beating ‘Lilo & Stitch'
(Universal Pictures via AP) This image released by Universal Pictures shows Mason Thames, as Hiccup, riding Night Fury dragon, Toothless in a scene from 'How to Train Your Dragon.' 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.' 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.
Japan Today
21 hours ago
- Japan Today
Slick Rick returns after 26 years with 'Victory' album and proves hip-hop storytelling still reigns
By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr Hip-hop legend Slick Rick is proving his creative spark is far from fading. The English-born rapper — known for his signature eye patch and masterful storytelling — returned to the booth with his first new project in nearly three decades. He's reminding the world of his timeless rap prowess on his visual album, 'Victory,' released Friday. It marks Slick Rick's first album since 1999's 'The Art of Storytelling.' This new project is largely self-produced, with the rapper handling 95% of the production and sharing executive producer duties with Emmy-nominated actor and occasional rapper-DJ Idris Elba, who appears on the album alongside Nas, Giggs and Estelle. 'You was a young adult, then a middled aged man and now you're an older man, so my mentality has to grow with it,' said Slick Rick, known for his rap classics such as 'Children's Story,' 'La Di Da Di' with Doug E. Fresh and 'Mona Lisa.' His debut album, 'The Great Adventures of Slick Rick,' in 1988 hit No. 1 on the Billboard R&B/hip-hop charts. 'Victory' was four years in the making, with Slick Rick, now 60, writing and recording the album between his birthplace of London then France, while the visuals were filmed in the United States, United Kingdom and Africa. Slick Rick believes his voice still resonates in hip-hop. He said the subjects he tackles have grown with him. 'Can't always be children all the time,' he said. 'We grow and talk about things that interest us at this age.' In a recent interview, Slick Rick spoke with The Associated Press about how storytelling plays a role in today's rap, his relationship with Elba and how hip-hop has no limitations. Remarks have been edited for clarity and brevity. AP: How did you and Idris hook up? SLICK RICK: We met at a party and then we clicked. His people reached out to me, and they wanted to make an album. They flew me to England and France. I hung out with Idris at his cribs, and we just did what we do. We just had fun, And then when we was finished, we said, 'Yeah, we're ready to bring it to the marketplace.' AP: Did you ever feel hesitant stepping back into the spotlight, or did this album feel like destiny? SLICK RICK: It might've been a little hesitation, but you're just having fun. We just bringing it to the marketplace and see what happens. There's no pressure or nothing. We're bringing it to the people to see if they like it. Feed them. AP: When did you feel like this project was ready for public consumption? SLICK RICK: When we were in the studio with Idris doing our thing, I checked the reactions of people. But then I saw people in their happy place. Once I saw that, I'm good. I see him and his people's happy. A little dancing. Popped a little Moet. We were having a good time. AP: You blended hip-hop melodies with various sounds including reggae and house music. What was your vision behind this musical approach? SLICK RICK: It's what Black people like. We're not just hip-hop. We like reggae. We like house music. Let's say like the Beatles or Barry Manilow. We go all over the place. Dionne Warwick, Diana Ross. We go places. We try to entertain ourselves in different areas of existence. AP: What made you go the visual album route? SLICK RICK: It was saving time. People make songs and do videos anyway. So why not just speed this up real quick? Video and rap both at the same time. Boom, let's keep it moving. ... This is like watching a movie. You want to expand the picture. Not only do you hear my voice and the music, which is the essence. You get ... visual picture as well. AP: You produced the bulk of the album. Why did you decide to go that route instead of enlisting other producers? SLICK RICK: In my creative process, I need to have a lot of input or it's not going to be authentic Rick. Too many hands, it's not going to pop. So many hands is going to distort stuff. I do my own music most of the time. AP: What's the importance of rap storytelling in 2025? SLICK RICK: It's an open space. It hasn't been filled, the whole storytelling thing. Before it gets too lost back into braggadocios, one frequency. Expand your horizons. You don't always have to be rough. Be romantic. Be humorous. Be vulnerable. Go all over. Be a politician. Use your imagination. Go places, so we can take stories and give to our people's imagination. © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Japan Today
21 hours ago
- Japan Today
'How to Train Your Dragon' soars to top of North America box office
Mason Thames is the star of the new live-action version of 'How To Train Your Dragon' "How to Train Your Dragon," a live-action reboot of a popular 2010 animated film, roared to the top of the North American box office with $83.7 million in weekend ticket sales, industry estimates showed Sunday. The family-friendly film from Universal and DreamWorks Animation tells the story of a friendship between a Viking named Hiccup (Mason Thames) and a dragon called Toothless. "This is an excellent opening for a live-action animation remake, and it's especially good for the fourth episode in a series like this," said David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research. Disney's "Lilo & Stitch," another live-action remake, kept up its excellent summer returns with $15.5 million, Exhibitor Relations said. So far, the film about Hawaiian girl Lilo (Maia Kealoha) and her blue alien friend Stitch (Chris Sanders) has grossed nearly $860 million worldwide. Debuting in third place is A24's "Materialists," a sophisticated rom-com starring Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans, at $12 million. "It's a grown-up story that's well-timed as summer counter-programming," Gross said. "Mission: Impossible -- The Final Reckoning" -- the latest, and ostensibly last, in the hugely successful Tom Cruise spy thriller series based on a 1960s TV show -- held its own in fourth place at $10.3 million. The Paramount film has now topped the $500 million mark worldwide. In fifth place was Lionsgate's "Ballerina," a "John Wick" spin-off starring Ana de Armas as a dancer turned contract killer, and co-starring Anjelica Huston. Keanu Reeves makes a brief appearance as the hitman Wick. It took in $9.4 million. © 2025 AFP
