Box Office: ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ Finally Knocks Stitch Off the Top Spot With $83 Million Debut

The box office was breathing fire this weekend as Universal’s How to Train Your Dragon soared to an $83 million domestic debut, taking the top spot and ending the three-week run of Disney’s Lilo & Stitch.

Directed by Dean DeBlois, who also helmed the original trilogy, this live-action version reintroduces Hiccup and his dragon Toothless to a new generation. While critical response has been moderate, audience reactions tell a different story. The film earned an ‘A’ grade from CinemaScore, a signal of strong word-of-mouth heading into the summer season. The movie pulled strong numbers overseas as well, pushing its global total to $197.8 million.

In second place, Disney’s Lilo & Stitch added another $15.5 million in its fourth weekend. The remake has now grossed $366 million domestically and $858 million worldwide, setting it up as 2025’s first likely billion-dollar hit.

A24’s Materialists, from Past Lives director Celine Song, debuted in third with $12 million, well above early projections. It may have received a ‘B-‘ CinemaScore, but its strong opening shows potential. And an additional $3.5 million from international markets brought its total haul to $15.5 million.

Paramount’s Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning came in fourth, generating $10.3 million in its fourth weekend. With $506 million globally on a reported $400 million budget, profitability remains out of reach during its theatrical window.

Rounding out the top five is Ballerina, the John Wick spinoff starring Ana de Armas. The film added $9.4 million, down 62% from its opening. Its current $91.5 million global total raises questions about audience interest in Wick-world stories without Keanu Reeves front and center.

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