Live-Action Adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon Sparks Initial Excitement
The live-action reboot of the beloved animated film, How to Train Your Dragon, has made a roaring entrance at the box office, setting new records for the franchise. Released in 2025, the film has captivated audiences and industry insiders alike, demonstrating a successful blend of fan expectations and a fresh approach for a new generation.
### Box Office Performance
With a production budget of $150 million, the film opened domestically with a staggering $84.6 million weekend, marking the best opening for the franchise to date. By its fifth weekend, it was projected to reach nearly $240 million domestically, surpassing the original movie’s domestic gross of $218 million, making it the highest-grossing How to Train Your Dragon film in North America.
Globally, the film has crossed the $500 million mark, significantly surpassing its budget and the $375 million estimated break-even point. Despite its strong domestic showing, the movie still trails behind earlier franchise movies in total worldwide gross, indicating it must continue growing internationally to become the top earner globally.
### Critical and Audience Reaction
Audience reception has been overwhelmingly positive, with a 98% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, praising the cast and heartfelt story. Critics have given a more moderate but still positive response, holding a 77% rating. The adaptation is noted for taking liberties from the original book characters but still retaining the core story of Hiccup's friendship with Toothless, winning over viewers emotionally.
### The Future of the Franchise
DreamWorks has already greenlit a sequel for release in 2027, inspired by this reboot's success. The film's beloved legacy suggests it could breathe fire into the summer box office, with industry analysts predicting it could lead the box office.
In conclusion, the 2025 live-action How to Train Your Dragon reboot is a major box office hit, setting franchise records domestically and crossing half a billion dollars worldwide on a relatively modest budget. Its strong audience acclaim contrasts with slightly more mixed critical reviews, but overall it is viewed as a successful and promising reboot that has secured a sequel and boosted DreamWorks' confidence in the franchise.
The impressive box office performance of the 2025 live-action How to Train Your Dragon reboot has positioned it as a force to reckon with in the world of movies-and-tv, making it the highest-grossing film in North America of the franchise. The film's worldwide earnings have not only surpassed its production budget but also crossed the $500 million mark, indicating that it could potentially dominate the entertainment industry in the coming years.
