LOS ANGELES (AP) 鈥� took flight at the box office this weekend, proving that some .
The Universal live-action adaptation of the beloved animated franchise soared to a strong $83.7 million debut in North American theaters, according to Comscore estimates Sunday. The film, directed by franchise veteran Dean DeBlois, follows the unlikely friendship between a young Viking named Hiccup (Mason Thames) and a dragon called Toothless.
The reboot easily outpaced 2019鈥檚 which opened with $55 million. The latest film earned more than $114.1 million internationally, bringing the global total to $197.8 million.
鈥淭his is yet another example of a live-action remake really delivering on the promise of the marketing," said Paul Dergarabedian, the senior media analyst for Comscore. 鈥淚 think the longevity and playability of some of these films particularly in the summer has been nothing short of miraculous.鈥�
鈥淗ow to Train鈥� also claimed the No. 1 spot ahead of Disney鈥檚 鈥淟ilo & Stitch,鈥� which slipped to second place after topping the charts for three weekends. That hybrid live-action remake added another $15 million, pushing its domestic total past $386.3 million.
a modern-day New York love story starring , , and , rounded out the top three films of the week with a $12 million debut. The romantic dramedy features Johnson as a savvy matchmaker caught between two suitors: a broke, struggling actor who happens to be her ex, and a wealthy 鈥渦nicorn鈥� who seems too good to be true.
slid to fourth place, taking in $10.3 million and avoiding a dip into single-digit territory.
The John Wick spinoff fell to fifth place with $9.4 million, despite strong reviews from both critics and audiences. Directed by Len Wiseman, the action film stars and features Keanu Reeves reprising his role in a supporting turn.
Dergarabedian said 鈥淏补濒濒别谤颈苍补鈥� could have a surge later down the line similar to 2014's 鈥淛ohn Wick.鈥�
鈥淚t took a while for that franchise to really catch on,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou saw a huge outpouring of interest for the first 鈥楯ohn Wick鈥� when it hit home video or streaming, I should say, and I think the same will happen here.鈥�
In sixth place, 鈥淜arate Kid: Legends鈥� earned $5 million followed by 鈥淔inal Destination: Bloodlines鈥� at seventh with $3.9 million. Wes Anderson's latest brought in $3 million eighth place. 鈥淭he Life of Chuck,鈥� based on a Stephen King story, placed ninth with $2.1 million.
Rounding out the top 10 was 鈥淪inners." The Ryan Coogler film starring Michael B. Jordan, drew $1.4 million - which is impressive since the movie is available to watch at home through online and digital platforms after being released two months ago.
Overall, the box office is up 23% from this point in 2024.
Dergarabedian said he's looking forward to films in the coming weeks that could have a positive presence at the box office, such as 鈥淓ilo,鈥� 鈥淔1," 鈥淪uperman鈥� and 鈥�28 Days Later.鈥�
Top 10 movies by domestic box office
With final domestic figures being released Monday, this list factors in the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore:
1. 鈥淗ow to Train Your Dragon," $83.7 million
2. 鈥淟ilo and Stitch,鈥� $15.5 million.
3. 鈥淢补迟别谤颈补濒颈蝉迟蝉," $12 million.
4. 鈥淢ission: Impossible 鈥� The Final Reckoning,鈥� $10.3 million.
5. 鈥淔rom the World of John Wick: Ballerina,鈥� $9.4 million.
6. 鈥淜arate Kid: Legends,鈥� $5 million.
7. 鈥淔inal Destination: Bloodlines,鈥� $3.9 million.
8. 鈥淭he Phoenician Scheme,鈥� $3 million.
9. 鈥淭he Life of Chuck," $2.1 million.
10. 鈥淪inners,鈥� $1.4 million.
Jonathan Landrum Jr., The Associated Press
