"How to Train Your Dragon" Soars at the Box Office with $83.7 Million Debut
LOS ANGELES — The live-action adaptation of the beloved animated franchise "How to Train Your Dragon" soared to a remarkable $83.7 million opening weekend in North America, according to Comscore estimates. Directed by veteran Dean DeBlois, the film chronicles the heartwarming friendship between a young Viking named Hiccup (Mason Thames) and a dragon named Toothless.
This reboot outperformed the 2019 animated installment, which debuted at $55 million, and garnered over $114.1 million internationally, totaling a global figure of $197.8 million. Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for Comscore, noted the film’s success exemplifies how effectively live-action remakes can resonate with audiences.
Securing the top spot, "How to Train Your Dragon" edged out Disney’s "Lilo & Stitch," which earned $15 million and slipped to second place after three consecutive weeks at the top. Dakota Johnson’s romantic dramedy, "Materialists," debuted in third with $12 million, while "Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning" and the "John Wick" spinoff "Ballerina" rounded out the top five.
Overall, the box office is experiencing a 23% increase compared to this time last year, signaling a resurgence in theater attendance.
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