LOS ANGELES (AP) — “How to Train Your Dragon” took flight at the box office this weekend, proving that some remakes still have teeth.
The live-action adaptation of the popular animated series had an impressive debut, bringing in $83 million at North American theaters, as estimated by Comscore on Sunday. This film, directed by Dean DeBlois, a familiar name to the franchise, tells the story of an unexpected bond between a young Viking named Hiccup (played by Mason Thames) and a dragon named Toothless.
This new version exceeded 2019’s “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World,” which kicked off with $55 million. It also secured the top position, overtaking Disney’s “Lilo and Stitch.” After leading the box office for three weekends, “Lilo and Stitch” dropped to second place, earning an additional $15 million and bringing its total domestic earnings to over $386.3 million.
Also making an impression, “Materialists,” a contemporary romance film set in New York and featuring Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans, secured the third spot with a $12 million opening. In this romantic dramedy, Johnson portrays a smart matchmaker caught between two love interests: her ex, a struggling actor, and a seemingly perfect yet wealthy “unicorn.”
“Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning” slid to fourth place, taking in $10.3 million and avoiding a dip into single-digit territory.
The John Wick spinoff “Ballerina” fell to fifth place with $9.4 million, despite strong reviews from both critics and audiences. Directed by Len Wiseman, the action film stars Ana de Armas and features Keanu Reeves reprising his role in a supporting turn.
In sixth place, “Karate Kid: Legends” earned $5 million followed by “Final Destination: Bloodlines” at seventh with $3.9 million. Wes Anderson’s latest “The Phoenician Scheme” brought in $3 million eighth place. “The Life of Chuck,” based on a Stephen King story, placed ninth with $2.1 million.
Rounding out the top 10 was “Sinners.” The Ryan Coogler film starring Michael B. Jordan, drew $1.4 million.
Top 10 movies by domestic box office
With final domestic figures being released Monday, this list factors in the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore:
1. “How to Train Your Dragon,” $83.7 million
2. “Lilo and Stitch,” $15.5 million.
3. “Materialists,” $12 million.
4. “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” $10.3 million.
5. “From the World of John Wick: Ballerina,” $9.4 million.
6. “Karate Kid: Legends,” $5 million.
7. “Final Destination: Bloodlines,” $3.9 million.
8. “The Phoenician Scheme,” $3 million.
9. “The Life of Chuck,” $2.1 million.
10. “Sinners,” $1.4 million.
