DreamWorks has a hit on its hands!
The studio’s first-ever live-action remake, How to Train Your Dragon, has soared at the global box office, earning nearly $200 million in its debut weekend. This impressive performance signals a big win for DreamWorks as it enters territory long dominated by Disney.
A Strong Start at Home and Abroad
The remake opened with $83 million in the U.S., making it the fourth-biggest domestic debut of the year so far. International markets added another $114 million, bringing the total to a whopping $198 million worldwide in just three days.
With a budget of $150 million, the movie has already started turning a profit—great news for the studio and fans of the franchise.
Directed by Dean DeBlois, who also helmed the original animated trilogy, the live-action version stars Mason Thames in the lead, with Gerard Butler returning to play his original character.
Fans of the original 2010 animated film will find much that feels familiar. In fact, some reviews have noted that the new version sticks closely to the original story. While critics gave it a 77% score on Rotten Tomatoes, audiences were far more enthusiastic, awarding it an impressive 98% audience rating.
Why This Matters for Future Remakes
Disney’s past remakes like Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King proved that audiences love live-action nostalgia—each of those titles made over $1 billion globally. But recent disappointments like Dumbo, Snow White, and The Little Mermaid made some wonder if the trend was slowing down.
How to Train Your Dragon proves that with the right story and execution, there’s still a massive audience for fantasy remakes. Its success is being compared to Disney’s upcoming Lilo & Stitch remake, and it’s already boosting confidence in the sequel, which is scheduled for 2027.