How to Train Your Dragon Live-Action Remake Eyes $185M Global Debut Amid Massive Fan Buzz and Critical Praise

Universal and DreamWorks Animation’s live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon is projected to open between $65 million and $75 million across 4,000 U.S. theaters. There’s even speculation it could outperform estimates due to the franchise’s popularity.

While the film maintains the heart and visual excitement of the original 2010 animation, it isn’t a shot-for-shot remake. Director Dean DeBlois returns, bringing fresh emotional energy and dynamic aerial sequences. The casting of Mason Thames as Hiccup and Nico Parker as Astrid adds a new dimension, with both actors delivering standout performances.

Strong International Debut and Domestic Interest Signal Promising Start for HTTYD Release

Internationally, the movie is tracking for a $110 million debut, pushing global projections to around $175M–$185M when combined with domestic estimates. These numbers include robust preview performances, with $21.8 million already earned through Monday.

The rollout spans all major markets except Japan, which joins on September 5. Early signs from key regions like Korea, the UK, Germany, France, Brazil, and Mexico show strong preview numbers, indicating widespread global interest in the live-action adaptation.

The U.S. box office debut begins with Thursday previews starting at 2 p.m., facing some competition from Disney’s Lilo & Stitch live-action remake, which is projected to earn about $20M in its fourth weekend. Despite this, there appears to be sufficient audience demand for both family-friendly adaptations. HTTYD benefits from broad appeal, especially among younger female audiences, and leads in unaided awareness and first-choice preference, though it slightly trails Lilo & Stitch on pre-release tracking.

Massive Digital Buzz and Global Appeal Fuel HTTYD’s Strong Box Office Potential

Marketing momentum has been significant for HTTYD, particularly from its Super Bowl trailer, which became the most engaged of the night and amassed over 370 million global views. Since its February 12 full trailer release, the film has gained nearly 750 million views across all trailers, with strong placement in front of major theatrical releases. This digital engagement indicates deep fan interest and likely translates to strong ticket sales.

While there are no imminent overseas holidays to boost attendance, the HTTYD brand remains extremely popular in key international markets, particularly in Europe, Latin America, Korea, and Australia. China, though a more uncertain market recently, has shown early promise in presales and has established franchise familiarity due to successful prior releases and branded attractions at Universal Beijing Resort. These indicators suggest the film may sustain a longer international run than average.

Also debuting this weekend is A24’s Materialists, a romantic comedy from Celine Song starring Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans. It has received strong critical praise (89% on Rotten Tomatoes) and is expected to open with $7M–$8M. Targeting women over 25, the film offers an original story that may attract audiences seeking alternatives to franchise films. Meanwhile, Lionsgate’s Ballerina, a John Wick spinoff, is entering its second weekend, projected to earn around $11M after a 55% drop from its opening.