The How to Train Your Dragon box office debut has exceeded expectations. The film earned $83 million in North America and $114 million from overseas markets, totaling $197.8 million globally. Family interest and nostalgia for the original animated film drove this strong performance.
Universal’s remake had a budget of $150 million, with another $100 million spent on marketing. Although projections suggested an opening between $70 million and $80 million, it soared past those numbers. This success makes it one of 2025’s top-performing PG-rated films.
So far this year, PG movies have been dominant. They have grossed $1.53 billion, accounting for 41% of total box office revenue. Titles like “A Minecraft Movie” and “Lilo & Stitch” are leading the trend. According to Comscore’s Paul Dergarabedian, PG films appeal to all ages, offering both safety for kids and substance for older viewers.
Dean DeBlois, the director of the original animated trilogy, returned to write and direct the live-action version. Set in the Viking village of Berk, the story follows Hiccup, a teen who befriends a dragon named Toothless. While critics gave the film a 77% on Rotten Tomatoes, audience feedback was far more positive. It scored an “A” on CinemaScore, which points to a strong potential for longevity.
Due to the positive reception, Universal has already announced a sequel for 2027. Jim Orr, the studio’s domestic distribution chief, praised the storytelling. He said, “Multiple generations are in love with it. With our audience scores, we believe this film will last all summer.”
The film ended the reign of “Lilo & Stitch,” which had topped the box office for three straight weekends. In its fourth week, Disney’s live-action remake added $15.5 million. So far, it has earned $366 million domestically and $858 million worldwide. It is on track to become the year’s first billion-dollar release.
Another new release, A24’s romantic drama “Materialists,” took third place with $12 million. This performance beat projections, which ranged between $8 million and $10 million. Directed by Celine Song and starring Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans, the film has been described as timely adult counter-programming. However, it earned a “B-” CinemaScore from viewers.
“Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” claimed fourth place. It brought in $10.3 million during its fourth weekend. To date, the film has earned $166.3 million in North America and $506 million globally. However, its $400 million budget makes profitability a challenge. Movie theaters keep about half of ticket revenues, reducing the film’s net gains.
Fifth place went to “Ballerina,” a “John Wick” spinoff starring Ana de Armas. The movie made $9.4 million in its second weekend, down 62% from its debut. So far, it has collected $91.5 million globally. While the film had a $90 million budget, the lukewarm response raises concerns about the future of the franchise without Keanu Reeves.
Overall, 2025 box office revenue is 23% higher than last year. However, it still trails 2019 totals by 26%. Studios hope to maintain momentum with upcoming releases. These include Brad Pitt’s “F1,” Universal’s new “Jurassic World,” DC’s “Superman,” and Marvel’s “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.”
