How To Train Your Dragon Opening Weekend Box Office Figures Soar to $198M Worldwide

The live-action adaptation of How To Train Your Dragon has ignited the summer box office, delivering a breathtaking performance that has both fans and industry insiders buzzing. According to Box Office Mojo, the final How To Train Your Dragon opening weekend box office tally reached an impressive $197,845,000 worldwide, with $83,700,000 (42.3%) from domestic markets and $114,145,000 (57.7%) from international territories.

Directed by Dean DeBlois and starring Mason Thames and Nico Parker, this reimagining of the beloved 2010 animated classic has surpassed expectations, setting a new franchise record and signaling a strong run ahead.

In this article, we break down the film’s stellar debut, analyze its success factors, and explore what this means for Universal’s live-action remake strategy.

Highlights

• Worldwide Gross: $197,845,000, with $83,700,000 domestic (42.3%) and $114,145,000 international (57.7%).

• Franchise Record: The live-action remake’s $83.7M domestic opening is the highest in the How To Train Your Dragon series, surpassing The Hidden World’s $55M debut.

• Audience Appeal: Earned an A CinemaScore and 98% Rotten Tomatoes audience score, driven by Gen Z (13-24) and millennial audiences.

• Top International Markets: Mexico ($14M), UK & Ireland ($11.39M), and China ($11.16M) led overseas earnings.

• IMAX Contribution: $16.1M globally, with $8.1M from North America, highlighting the film’s premium format draw.

What Drove the How To Train Your Dragon Opening Weekend Box Office Figures?

The How To Train Your Dragon Opening Weekend Box Office Figures reflect a perfect storm of nostalgia, critical acclaim, and strategic release timing. Universal’s decision to reimagine the DreamWorks Animation classic tapped into a built-in fanbase from the original trilogy, which grossed over $1.6 billion worldwide.

The live-action adaptation, shot with a $150M net production cost, delivered a visually stunning and emotionally resonant experience, earning an A CinemaScore and a near-unprecedented 98% Rotten Tomatoes audience score.

The film’s appeal spanned generations, with 68% of domestic audiences under 35, including nearly half being Gen Z (13-24), mirroring the success of Disney’s Lilo & Stitch remake. Women under 25 gave the film a 97% approval rating, while families, led by moms (63% of ticket buyers), drove 54% of ticket sales before 5 PM. The diversity of the audience—49% Caucasian, 24% Latino and Hispanic, 11% Asian American, and 8% Black—further broadened its reach.

How Did International Markets Contribute to the Success?

International markets were pivotal, contributing 57.7% of the How To Train Your Dragon Opening Weekend Box Office Figures. The film grossed $114.145M across 81 territories, with standout performances in Mexico ($14M), the UK & Ireland ($11.39M), and China ($11.16M). China’s opening day was the biggest for a live-action adaptation in five years, with a 9.5 Maoyan score signaling strong word-of-mouth.

Brazil and Korea also shone, adding $7.77M and $7.39M, respectively, with Korea boasting a 99% CVG Egg score.

The international rollout was strategic, leveraging previews in 51 markets and capitalizing on the Whit Monday holiday in several territories. Unlike China, which launched without previews, markets like the UK benefited from $3.3M in weekday previews, boosting its $11.39M total.

The film’s performance aligned with other live-action remakes like Aladdin and The Jungle Book, positioning it as the sixth-biggest international opening for the genre.

Why Did the Film Outperform Box Office Projections?

Pre-release projections estimated a $65M-$75M domestic debut and a $175M-$185M global start, but the How To Train Your Dragon Opening Weekend Box Office Figures exceeded these by a wide margin.

Initial forecasts underestimated the film’s cross-generational appeal and the power of its premium format screenings, with IMAX and PLFs accounting for 38% of domestic ticket sales and $16.1M globally. The film’s 3D screenings also contributed 18% of the weekend’s domestic gross.

Dean DeBlois’ direction, which avoided a shot-for-shot remake, added fresh emotional depth and thrilling visuals, earning an 81% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes (compared to the original’s 99%).

Mason Thames and Nico Parker’s performances as Hiccup and Astrid were praised for their authenticity, resonating with both new viewers and longtime fans. The film’s Thursday previews alone grossed $8.6M domestically, signaling strong walk-up business and setting the stage for a $35.6M opening day, the fourth-biggest of 2025.

How Does This Compare to Other Live-Action Remakes?

The How To Train Your Dragon Opening Weekend Box Office Figures rank among the top live-action remakes, securing the seventh-biggest global opening, eighth-biggest domestic, and sixth-biggest international debut in the genre.

It trails giants like The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast but outperforms The Little Mermaid and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 in like-for-like markets. Its $83.7M domestic opening is a 52% increase over the previous franchise high, The Hidden World’s $55M, and dwarfs the original 2010 film’s $43.7M debut.

Compared to Disney’s Lilo & Stitch, which grossed $858.4M globally by its fourth week, How To Train Your Dragon faces stiffer competition but benefits from less direct rivalry in the family market. Its 4th-best global opening of 2025, behind A Minecraft Movie, Lilo & Stitch, and China’s Ne Zha 2, underscores its competitive edge.

What’s Next for the Film and Universal’s Strategy?

With a $197.8M global debut, the How To Train Your Dragon Opening Weekend Box Office Figures position the film for a robust theatrical run, potentially mirroring the international multiples of its animated predecessors (e.g., The Hidden World earned 3.25x its domestic gross overseas).

Strong audience scores and minimal competition in the family genre until Pixar’s Elio suggest legs through the summer.

For Universal, this success validates its pivot to DreamWorks properties for live-action remakes, challenging Disney’s dominance in the space. The studio’s ability to deliver a high-quality adaptation with a modest $150M budget (compared to The Lion King’s $260M) sets a cost-effective model for future projects.

Posts on X reflect fan enthusiasm, with sentiment scores ranging from 7.2 to 8.2/10, further amplifying its cultural impact.

Some Closing Thoughts:

The live-action How To Train Your Dragon has not only shattered franchise records but also redefined expectations for live-action remakes. Its $197.8M global debut, driven by universal appeal and strategic execution, marks a triumph for Universal and a beacon for family-friendly blockbusters.

As Hiccup and Toothless soar into the summer, their box office fire shows no signs of fading.

Share your thoughts on this epic opening—will it sustain its momentum? Let us know below!