Film review: The fire-breathing dragon remake we never knew we needed
How To Train Your Dragon, much of which was filmed in Belfast's Harbour and Titanic studios, is something a little different though. Yes it's a straight ahead reimagining of the original kids' classic which first hit cinema screens 15 years ago and went on to spawn two more successful follow-ups, but this is also a mighty fine family-friendly action movie that looks and feels great in its own right.
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Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Dakota Johnson's Materialists places THIRD at box office behind How to Train Your Dragon
How To Train Your Dragon breathed some fire into the summer box office soaring easily to the top spot. The first live-action reimagining of the 2010 animated hit starring Mason Thames, Nico Parker and Gerard Butler, met expectations, pulling in nearly $84 million in ticket sales its first weekend in theaters. The film was a global hit as well, pulling in some $114.1 million from 81 markets, according to The Numbers for a global total of $197.8 million. In North America, HTTYD was the eighth-best opening of all time for Father's Day weekend and the fourth-biggest opening of the year to date. Among those attending over the weekend were Thames and Butler, who shared a video on social media celebrating the film. 'It was the first time we saw it in Imax,' Butler said, 'Yeah, it was insane,' Thames agreed. 'And we brought a bunch of friends,' Butler continued, showing a cheering crowd, joking, 'I didn't have to pay them that much money.' Then, pointing to his young co-star who plays Hiccup, the MTV Movie Award winner said, 'and this kid's going to be the biggest star of all, Mason. How good is he?.' Writing next to the post the Scottish actor said, 'Couldn't be more proud to call him my Viking son. As you can see, this sentiment is backed up by all the troops that went into battle with us last night. Go see #HowToTrainYourDragon and watch this kid soar. He's gonna break your heart in the best way.' The film received excellent reviews, including an A from CinemaScore, and a 98-percent rating from the audiences at Rotten Tomatoes. Last week's number one, the live-action Lilo & Stitch, dropped to distant second place after three weeks at the top. The Disney film starring Maia Kealoha, as Lilo along with Courtney B. Vance and Tia Carrere, earned $15 million domestically over the weekend, adding to its worldwide total of $366,371,809. Debuting in third place was the romantic comedy Materialists, starring Dakota Johnson as a matchmaker in the enviable position of having to choose between leading men Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal. The film, written and directed by Celine Dion, received a warm 87-percent rating from the critics at Rotten Tomatoes and audiences responded with a heartfelt $12 million at the box office. Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning dropped to fourth place, earning $10.3 million. The action-adventure starring Tom Cruise and his band of wily agents has not fared as well as other films in the popular franchise, but after a disappointing opening weekend in which it was bested by Lilo & Stitch, Final Reckoning has still managed to capture more than $467 million globally. Rounding out the top five was Ana De Armas in From the World of John Wick: Ballerina. The thriller focusing on a trained Russian assassin seeking revenge after her father's death, earned $9.4 million over the weekend.
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
'How to Train Your Dragon' soars in box office debut with $83 million, beating 'Lilo and Stitch'
'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 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. It also claimed the No. 1 spot ahead of Disney's 'Lilo and 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. 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. 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.
Metro
8 hours ago
- Metro
Ioan Gruffudd, 51, announces he's expecting first child with his wife Bianca, 32
Welsh actor Ioan Gruffudd, 51, is welcoming his first baby with his wife Bianca Wallace, 32, just weeks after getting married. The newlyweds shared the happy news on Instagram with a silhouette of the Fantastic Four star kneeling on the floor, kissing his wife's baby bump. 'Baby Gruffudd poppin' out to say hello!' he wrote in the caption to his 110,000 followers as friends, family and fans flocked to share their congratulations. 'I'm going to be an auntie, baby G, you are so loved already,' one user claiming to be Bianca's sister, Chanel, wrote in the comments. 'Best news ever,' Quinn Hempill said. 'Oh my gosh yes!!!!' itslizzyjane added. 'Congratulations to you both. Such exciting news,' shared. 'Omg this is delightful news!!! Oh @iambiancawallace I am so happy for you both! Congratulations,' stephneathwaybrown. 'Congratulations, wishing you all the best. You both deserve it so much,' kapunzel_ echoed. In April, the pair shared grainy snaps of their special day on the coast to Instagram just weeks ago, wearing a silky halterneck wedding dress and formal suit, with the caption: 'Mr & Mrs Gruffudd. Marriage now, wedding later.' The Titanic star first announced his relationship with the Australian actor in October 2021 months after Gruffudd filed for divorce from The Christmas Carol's Alice Evans with whom he is still undergoing a tough custody battle. He shares two children -16-year-old Ella and 12-year-old Elsie – with his ex-wife whom he met on the set of 102 Dalmations in 2000 and married the same year their first daughter was born. His divorce was finalised in 2023 and he shared his engagement to Wallace in January 2024. The former couple announced their separation in January 2021 when Evans claimed Gruffudd had 'announced he was leaving his family' and left 'me and my daughters sad and confused'. Afterwards, in a joint statement, they said it was 'an incredibly difficult time for our family' and they both remained committed to their children. Between 2021 and 2024, the troubled relationship between the pair escalated. In August 2022, Gruffudd was granted a three-year restraining order against Evans after claiming she had threatened to make 'false accusations' about him, including child and domestic abuse and had made targeted social media posts – all of which Evans has denied. More Trending In 2024, Gruffudd accused Evans of violating the restraining order and custody agreement by allegedly posting 'disparagingly' about him and his then-fiancee which was also preventing him from 'obtaining new work', with his legal team citing several alleged examples. In a sworn statement submitted through a court filing in September, Evans said she had 'not engaged in that conduct for years' and claimed Ioan's allegations around fake accounts was 'found to be completely false' by the police. 'I sincerely hope that, at least for the sake of our children who have been dealing with this for four years now, Ioan can accept my apology and we can move on to the actual issues that remain to be settled,' she concluded. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
