‘How to Train Your Dragon’ and ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Dominate Global Box Office

Universal and DreamWorks Animation’s live-action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon has taken flight with a powerful global debut, nearing the $200 million mark. Meanwhile, Disney’s Lilo & Stitch continues its impressive theatrical run, surpassing $850 million worldwide in just four weekends. Both family-friendly films are drawing large audiences, even though they target similar demographics.

How to Train Your Dragon earned $114 million from 81 international markets, making it the top film overseas. In North America, it collected $83 million, bringing its total global opening to $197.8 million. Leading markets include Mexico with $14 million, the United Kingdom and Ireland with $11.2 million, and China with $11.2 million.

The $150 million film was written and directed by Dean DeBlois, the creative force behind the original animated trilogy, which includes the 2010 debut, 2014’s How to Train Your Dragon 2, and 2019’s The Hidden World. These films collectively grossed $1.6 billion globally. The story is set in the mythical Viking village of Berk and centers on Hiccup, a misfit teenager who forms a bond with a wounded dragon he names Toothless. A live-action sequel, How to Train Your Dragon 2, is already set to release in 2027.

Meanwhile, families continue to flock to Lilo & Stitch, which brought in $31.1 million from 52 territories during its fourth weekend. The comedic adventure about an oddball alien has now grossed $491 million internationally and $858 million globally since its Memorial Day debut. With continued momentum, it’s well on track to become the year’s first billion-dollar movie.

In another notable milestone, Paramount’s Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning has crossed the $500 million global mark. The eighth film in Tom Cruise’s action franchise added $21 million from 66 markets this past weekend, raising its total to $506 million globally. However, with an estimated production budget of $400 million and theaters keeping a significant share of ticket sales, the film may fall short of breaking even in its theatrical run.