Dragon Movie Soars with $83.7 Million Debut
The movie's faithfulness to the original can make it feel redundant to those who have seen the animated version, but it still works as a touching spin on the story, with DeBlois' love for the characters and world shining through, making the movie feel like a re-creation rather than a remake. The film's success is a positive sign for the box office, which is expected to continue growing in the coming weeks.
The live-action remake of "How to Train Your Dragon" has debuted with a strong $83.7 million in North American theaters, outpacing other top films like "Lilo & Stitch" and "Materialists". The movie, directed by Dean DeBlois, follows the unlikely friendship between a young Viking named Hiccup and a dragon called Toothless, and has earned over $197.8 million globally in its first weekend.
The film's success can be attributed to its faithful adaptation of the original animated film, with a talented cast including Mason Thames as Hiccup, Nico Parker as Astrid, and Gerard Butler as Stoick. The movie's action sequences and score, handled by John Powell, are also well-done and have contributed to its box office success. The film has topped the charts in North America and internationally, ranking as the No. 1 movie at the international box office with $114 million in 81 overseas markets.
The box office is up 23% from this point in 2024, with films like "Eilo", "F1", "Superman", and "28 Days Later" expected to have a positive presence in the coming weeks. The family films are selling tickets and drawing crowds despite catering to similar demographics. "How to Train Your Dragon" has reached $198 million globally in its debut, while Disney's "Lilo & Stitch" has surpassed $850 million worldwide after four weekends of release.
The success of "How to Train Your Dragon" is a testament to the enduring appeal of the original story and characters. With its strong performances, well-done action sequences, and faithful adaptation, the live-action remake is a must-see for fans of the original animated film. As the box office continues to grow, it will be interesting to see how "How to Train Your Dragon" performs in the coming weeks and whether it can continue to soar to new heights.