This weekend, Universal’s How to Train Your Dragon remake achieved a remarkable milestone as it crossed the $450 million mark at the global box office, providing significant counter-programming for family audiences. The film’s success comes as it surpasses the Danny Boyle box office milestone set by Slumdog Millionaire, securing a standout position among 2024’s movie releases.
Live-Action Remake Achieves Major Box Office Milestone
Following two full weeks in theaters, the DreamWorks Animation and Universal film reached $199 million in domestic earnings and another $254 million internationally, bringing its total global revenue to $454 million. This live-action version marks a first for DreamWorks, with Dean DeBlois returning as director after his work on the beloved animated trilogy. The earlier animated How to Train Your Dragon grossed close to $500 million in 2010, the sequel exceeded $600 million in 2014, and the third movie also crossed the half-billion dollar threshold.
The film’s audience approval is particularly noteworthy. While Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ score stands at 77%, the movie enjoys an audience score of 97%, indicating a strong connection with viewers. Amongst new releases, How to Train Your Dragon stands out as a favorite for families, while films like F1 starring Brad Pitt and M3GAN 2.0 have also attracted large crowds.
Comparing Records Against Other Blockbusters
The $454 million global earnings for How to Train Your Dragon now eclipses several family-friendly hits. Notably, the film tops Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire, which made $384 million worldwide and won the Best Picture Oscar over ten years ago. It also overtakes titles like Happy Feet ($385 million), Ice Age ($386 million), Spirited Away ($395 million), and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 ($402 million) at the worldwide box office. The movie’s position reflects DreamWorks and Universal’s strong performance amidst a competitive release period.
Director Dean DeBlois Returns, Sequel Already Planned
Dean DeBlois, who directed all three original How to Train Your Dragon films, returned for the remake, maintaining a consistent creative vision. The success of this film, produced on a reported $150 million budget, ensures profitability and has led to the announcement of a future installment, currently scheduled for release in 2027. Lead characters Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III and Astrid Hofferson, played by Mason Thames and Nico Parker respectively, have also contributed to the film’s favorable response from both critics and audiences.
The film’s current performance establishes it as a significant contender in 2024 cinema, with its blend of nostalgia and modern filmmaking techniques. By outpacing the Danny Boyle box office milestone and other animated classics, the remake of How to Train Your Dragon not only brings renewed attention to Universal and DreamWorks Animation, but also sets expectations high for its confirmed follow-up in the coming years.
