How To Train Your Dragon breathed some fire into the summer box office soaring easily to the top spot. 

The live-action adaptation of the 2010 animated classic featuring Mason Thames, Nico Parker, and Gerard Butler met expectations by earning approximately $84 million in ticket sales during its opening weekend in theaters.

The film was a global hit as well, pulling in some $114.1 million from 81 markets, according to The Numbers for a global total of $197.8 million. 

In North America, HTTYD was the eighth-best opening of all time for Father’s Day weekend and the fourth-biggest opening of the year to date.

Among those attending over the weekend were Thames and Butler, who shared a video on social media celebrating the film. 

‘It was the first time we saw it in Imax,’ Butler said, ‘Yeah, it was insane,’ Thames agreed.

How To Train Your Dragon ignited the summer box office, quickly grabbing the top spot with nearly $84 million in earnings.

This first live-action version of the 2010 animated hit, starring Mason Thames, Nico Parker, and Gerard Butler, became a global sensation, generating around $114.1 million from 81 markets worldwide for a global total of $197.8 million.

‘And we brought a bunch of friends,’ Butler continued, showing a cheering crowd, joking, ‘I didn’t have to pay them that much money.’

Then, pointing to his young co-star who plays Hiccup, the MTV Movie Award winner said, ‘and this kid’s going to be the biggest star of all, Mason. How good is he?.’

Writing next to the post the Scottish actor said, ‘Couldn’t be more proud to call him my Viking son. As you can see, this sentiment is backed up by all the troops that went into battle with us last night.

Go see #HowToTrainYourDragon and watch this kid soar. He’s gonna break your heart in the best way.’

The film received excellent reviews, including an A from CinemaScore, and a 98-percent rating from the audiences at Rotten Tomatoes.  

Last week’s number one, the live-action Lilo & Stitch, dropped to distant second place after three weeks at the top. 

The Disney film starring Maia Kealoha, as Lilo along with Courtney B. Vance and Tia Carrere, earned $15 million domestically over the weekend, adding to its worldwide total of $366,371,809.

Debuting in third place was the romantic comedy Materialists, starring Dakota Johnson as a matchmaker in the enviable position of having to choose between leading men Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal.

Gerar d Butler praised co-star Mason Thames after they and a large group of friends saw the film in IMAX. ‘This kid’s going to be the biggest star of all,’ he said 

Last week’s number one, the live-action Lilo & Stitch, dropped to distant second place after three weeks at the top earning $15 million 

Debuting in third place was the romantic comedy Materialists, starring Dakota Johnson as a matchmaker in the enviable position of having to choose between leading men Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning dropped to fourth place, earning $10.3 million

Rounding out the top five was Ana De Armas in From the World of John Wick: Ballerina. The thriller earned $9.4 million over the weekend

The film, written and directed by Celine Dion, received a warm 87-percent rating from the critics at Rotten Tomatoes and audiences responded with a heartfelt $12 million at the box office. 

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning dropped to fourth place, earning $10.3 million. 

The action-adventure starring Tom Cruise and his band of wily agents has not fared as well as other films in the popular franchise, but after a disappointing opening weekend in which it was bested by Lilo & Stitch, Final Reckoning has still managed to capture more than $467 million globally. 

Rounding out the top five was Ana De Armas in From the World of John Wick: Ballerina. The thriller focusing on a trained Russian assassin seeking revenge after her father’s death, earned $9.4 million over the weekend.