How To Train Your Dragon’s Box Office Collection Figures Soar to $236.8M Worldwide

How To Train Your Dragon’s box office collection figures so far have ignited the global box office, with Universal’s live-action remake of the beloved animated classic grossing an impressive $236,807,059 worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo.

Directed by Dean DeBlois, the film has captivated audiences with its nostalgic charm and stunning visuals, earning $123,485,295 domestically (52.1%) and $113,321,764 internationally (47.9%).

As Hiccup and Toothless soar into theaters, this article dives into the film’s box office performance, key markets, and what’s driving its success in 2025’s competitive summer season.

How Did How To Train Your Dragon Perform on Its Opening Weekend?

The live-action How To Train Your Dragon roared into theaters on June 13, 2025, with a franchise-record-breaking opening weekend. It grossed $83.7 million domestically across 4,356 theaters, securing a per-theater average of approximately $19,215, and $114.1 million internationally from 81 markets, for a global debut of $197.8 million.

This surpassed the animated trilogy’s opening weekends, with the 2010 original earning $43.7 million domestically and the sequels peaking at $55 million. The film’s strong start was fueled by nostalgia, positive word-of-mouth (98% Rotten Tomatoes, A CinemaScore), and Universal’s robust marketing.

Which International Markets Contributed Most to Its Success?

The international box office accounted for 47.9% of the film’s total, with $113,321,764 from 61,500 screens across 81 territories. Mexico led with $14 million, followed by the UK and Ireland ($11.4 million, including $3.3 million in previews) and China ($11.2 million), which marked the biggest opening day for a live-action adaptation in five years.

Other key markets included Brazil ($7.8 million) and Korea ($7.4 million). The film’s 99% CVG Egg score in Korea and 41% market share in the UK highlight its global appeal.

What Factors Drove Its Box Office Performance?

Several elements propelled How To Train Your Dragon to its $236.8 million worldwide gross. The cast, featuring Mason Thames as Hiccup, Nico Parker as Astrid, and Gerard Butler reprising Stoick, resonated with audiences.

The film’s blend of live-action and cutting-edge CGI, directed by Dean DeBlois, earned praise for staying true to the 2010 classic while offering fresh visuals. Imax and PLFs contributed 38% of the opening weekend’s ticket sales, with 18% from 3D showings.

Audience demographics were diverse (49% Caucasian, 24% Latino, 11% Asian, 8% Black), with Gen Z (13–24) making up nearly half of opening day crowds. Positive exit scores (94% PostTrak, 83% definite recommend) suggest strong legs.

What Challenges Does the Film Face Moving Forward?

Despite its fiery start, How To Train Your Dragon faces hurdles. With a reported $150 million production budget and $100 million in marketing, the film needs approximately $375–400 million to break even theatrically.

Competition from Pixar’s Elio and Sony’s 28 Years Later, both releasing June 20, 2025, could impact its second weekend. However, its strong word-of-mouth and family-friendly PG rating position it well for sustained performance, especially in the family-driven summer market.

The film’s first Monday gross of $8.5 million (a 62.4% drop from Sunday) outpaced the animated trilogy, signaling resilience.

How Does Its Performance Compare to the Animated Trilogy?

The live-action remake has outpaced the animated trilogy’s openings. The 2010 original grossed $494.8 million worldwide, How To Train Your Dragon 2 (2014) earned $621.5 million, and The Hidden World (2019) reached $539.9 million, totaling $1.6 billion.

The remake’s $236.8 million in just over a week puts it on track to challenge these figures, with its domestic opening nearly doubling the original’s. Its international share (47.9%) is lower than the trilogy’s 56–71.5%, but global resonance remains strong.

What’s the Outlook for Its Box Office Run?

With $123,485,295 domestic and $113,321,764 international, How To Train Your Dragon is poised to cross $250 million globally by its second weekend.

Its A CinemaScore and 98% Rotten Tomatoes score suggest staying power, particularly among families and younger audiences.

The film’s performance places it among Universal’s top 100 releases, surpassing Get Out ($252.3 million) and Dolittle ($251.5 million). A sequel slated for 2027 could further boost its franchise potential if it maintains momentum.

Highlights of How To Train Your Dragon’s Box Office  

• Worldwide Gross: $236,807,059

• Domestic Gross: $123,485,295 (52.1%)

• International Gross: $113,321,764 (47.9%)

• Opening Weekend: $83.7M domestic, $197.8M global

• Top Markets: Mexico ($14M), UK ($11.4M), China ($11.2M)

• Theater Count: 4,356 domestic, 61,500 international

• Audience Scores: 98% Rotten Tomatoes, A CinemaScore

• Budget: $150M production, $100M marketing

• Release Date: June 13, 2025

Some Closing Thoughts:

How To Train Your Dragon has soared to new heights, with its $236.8 million worldwide gross cementing its status as a 2025 summer hit. Its strong domestic and international performance, driven by nostalgia, stellar reviews, and a diverse audience, showcases Universal’s knack for reimagining animated classics.

As Hiccup and Toothless continue their flight, the film’s box office trajectory looks promising, with potential to rival the animated trilogy’s legacy.

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