How to Train Your Dragon: A Box Office Success Story
How to Train Your Dragon is on track to surpass the box office earnings of the animated film, marking another impressive milestone in its journey. Despite mixed feelings about live action remakes, they often find success at the box office. DreamWorks’ first foray into the realm of live-action remakes has been a resounding success and shows no signs of slowing down.
In its third weekend, How to Train Your Dragon was bumped from the top spot by F1: The Movie, a sports film starring Brad Pitt. Nevertheless, Httyd still secured second place, raking in $19.4 million. According to Variety, the film has grossed $200.5 million domestically and crossed the $450 million mark worldwide, totaling $454.5 million.
Following this milestone, the live-action remake is now just $17 million away from surpassing the 2010 animated film domestically and around $40 million globally. Once it achieves this feat, the 2025 version of Httyd will become the highest-grossing film in the franchise.
Implications of This Box Office Success for How to Train Your Dragon
It’s a Major Win for DreamWorks
While Disney has dominated the live-action trend, DreamWorks has emerged as a formidable contender. Despite initial skepticism about the remake, How to Train Your Dragon has resonated with both audiences and critics, earning a 77% critical score on Rotten Tomatoes. While it may not reach the heights of Lilo and Stitch, it remains a profitable venture for Universal and DreamWorks.
With a budget of $150 million, the film has already proven to be a box office hit and is set to further increase its profits. Universal’s early announcement of How to Train Your Dragon 2 is a strong indicator that the sequel is poised for success and raises the likelihood of completing the trilogy.
Additionally, DreamWorks may explore live-action remakes of its other properties, including Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar, or even The Croods. While they may not have Disney’s extensive catalog, DreamWorks is keen on capitalizing on the success of Httyd.
Our Take on the Success of How to Train Your Dragon
The Franchise’s Soaring Popularity
While Httyd has long been one of DreamWorks’ flagship franchises, its potential for profitability is greater than anticipated. 2025 has indeed been the year of the dragon. As the remake climbs the box office charts, fans are also flocking to Berk Island, a newly opened attraction at Epic Universe in Orlando, FL.
This park offers fans an immersive experience, allowing them to ride replicas of Hiccup’s dragon, Toothless, and indulge in themed merchandise. The overwhelming response to this attraction underscores the enduring love for the franchise and fans’ willingness to engage with it beyond the screen.
While the journey began in 2010, the popularity of How to Train Your Dragon continues to soar. If the sequels can capture the essence of the original films, the live-action trilogy could surpass the success of its animated counterpart.
Source: Variety
