How to Train Your Dragon is soaring higher than ever, breaking box office records as it approaches a milestone that could see it outpace its animated predecessor. While opinions on live-action adaptations are often divisive, their ability to capture audience attention is undeniable. DreamWorks’ first venture into this territory has been nothing short of remarkable, steadily climbing the charts since its release.
In its third weekend, How to Train Your Dragon faced competition from F1: The Movie, starring Brad Pitt, which took the top spot. Yet, even while slipping to second place, HTTYD added an impressive $19.4 million to its tally. As reported by Variety, the latest installment has amassed $200.5 million in the U.S. and over $450 million globally, with an eventual total reaching $454.5 million.
This recent box office surge means that the live-action remake is just $17 million shy of surpassing the original film’s domestic earnings and approximately $40 million away from beating its worldwide total. Once this threshold is crossed, the 2025 adaptation of HTTYD will proudly hold the title of the franchise’s highest-grossing film.
What This Box Office Milestone Means For How To Train Your Dragon
It’s A Massive Win For DreamWorks
In a landscape dominated by Disney, DreamWorks is stepping into the spotlight. Despite critiques noting the film’s similarities to the original, How to Train Your Dragon has garnered a commendable 77% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, demonstrating its ability to resonate with both audiences and reviewers alike. While it may not rival the breathtaking success of Lilo & Stitch, it’s still expected to yield significant returns for Universal and DreamWorks.
With an estimated budget of $150 million, this film is already a triumph at the box office and is poised to boost its earnings even further before leaving theaters. Universal showed great faith in the project, announcing a sequel just two months before the film’s debut. This current success raises hopes for the sequel’s performance, paving the way for a potential trilogy.
Additionally, one can anticipate that DreamWorks will not halt here. With the success of HTTYD, there’s a strong possibility they’ll explore live-action remakes of other beloved properties like Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar, and The Croods. While they may not boast the extensive catalog of Disney, DreamWorks is setting the stage to capitalize on their newfound momentum.
Our Take On How To Train Your Dragon’s Success
The Franchise Is More Popular Than Ever
The HTTYD franchise has long been a staple in DreamWorks’ lineup, but its resurgence is surprising even to longtime fans. Interestingly, 2025 has emerged as the year of the dragon, with audiences not only flocking to theaters but also experiencing the Isle of Berk at Epic Universe in Orlando, FL.
This exciting new attraction allows fans to engage deeply with the franchise, offering rides on Hiccup’s dragon-flying prototypes, encounters with Toothless, and plenty of merchandise to take home. It stands as a testament to the franchise’s enduring appeal, proving that millions still cherish these stories, whether they’re on screen or in person.
Since its inception in 2010, How to Train Your Dragon continues to gain traction, captivating new generations while rekindling nostalgia for older fans. If upcoming sequels manage to recapture the magic of the original films, the live-action trilogy could become an even greater phenomenon than its animated predecessors.
Source: Variety