A New Milestone for Animation

Universal’s latest animated adventure, f3ow to Train Your Dragon,fa, has taken flight spectacularly, raking in $35.6 million from 4,356 North American theaters on its opening day. This impressive figure marks the fourth-largest opening day of 2025, following the blockbusters f3A Minecraft Movie,fa, f3Lilo & Stitch,fa, and f3Captain America: Brave New World.fa

A Roaring Three-Day Projection

With a buzzing atmosphere, f3How to Train Your Dragonfa is projected to pull in an eye-watering $82.7 million over its first three days, surpassing initial estimates which hovered between $70 million and $80 million. This debut promises to be a franchise game-changer, far exceeding 2019’s f3How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World,fa that opened with $55 million.

A Smart Investment for Universal

Directed by the talented Dean DeBlois and boasting a hefty production budget of $150 million, this film is already proving to be a financial triumph for Universal. Their ability to transform beloved animated classics into live-action hits signals a powerful direction for the studio, with a sequel already scheduled for June 2027.

Positive Buzz and Audience Response

Early buzz has been overwhelmingly positive, evidenced by a stellar 'A' grade from CinemaScore, suggesting that audiences are delighted with the film’s offerings.

‘Materialists’ Debuts Strongly

In a delightful twist, A24’s romantic comedy f3Materialistsfa is also making headlines, emerging in a respectable third place with about $5 million earned across 2,844 domestic venues. Directed by Celine Song, the film stars Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal, and is on track for a total weekend gross around $12 million, well above initial conservative estimates.

Critical Acclaim vs. Audience Reception

While critics have praised f3Materialistsfa, general audiences have responded more cautiously, reflected in its 'B-' grade from CinemaScore. Despite this, with a production budget of $20 million, it stands strong as a unique choice in the current cinematic landscape.

Live-Action Remakes Dominate the Box Office

Meanwhile, Disney’s f3Lilo & Stitchfa, which has enjoyed a sturdy three-week run at No. 1, slipped to second place earning another $4.7 million, bringing its domestic total to $355 million.

Races Tightening in the Top Charts

The competition is heating up for the fourth and fifth spots, with Lionsgate's f3Ballerinafa currently in the lead, although it’s experiencing a significant drop in its second weekend, projected to earn only $8.7 million. In close pursuit is Paramount’s f3Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning,fa which brought in $2.2 million more, seeking to eclipse its predecessors with a projected total gross of $165 million ahead of the final weekend.