NEW YORK — The box office roared this weekend as How to Train Your Dragon held its top spot. The Universal Pictures live-action remake earned $37 million in its second weekend. Meanwhile, Pixar’s Elio stumbled hard, opening at just $21 million. This marks the lowest debut in Pixar’s history. According to studio estimates, How to Train Your Dragon has now grossed $358.2 million worldwide. On the other hand, Elio struggled globally, pulling in only $14 million from 43 territories.
The dragon tale, directed by Dean DeBlois, continues to draw families. Its success shows the power of a familiar story. The 2010 animated classic was remade with a $150 million budget. Now, a sequel is already planned. However, Pixar’s Elio faced tough competition. The sci-fi adventure about a boy meeting aliens didn’t connect with audiences. Despite a $150 million budget, it fell short of expectations.
For comparison, Pixar’s Elemental opened at $29.6 million in 2023 but later earned $496.4 million globally. Elio hopes to follow this path, with an “A” CinemaScore and decent reviews. Yet, its start is rocky. Disney’s Lilo & Stitch remake also competed for family viewers, earning $9.7 million in its fifth weekend. This brings its global total to $910.3 million.
Additionally, 28 Years Later opened strong with $30 million. Directed by Danny Boyle, the zombie thriller marks his biggest opening ever. The $60 million film stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Jodie Comer. It added $30 million overseas, showing global appeal. However, its “B” CinemaScore suggests mixed audience reactions.
Why did Elio struggle? Some point to its troubled production. Originally set for 2024, the film saw a director change. Adrian Molina was replaced by Domee Shi and Madeline Sharafian. Also, America Ferrera’s role as Elio’s mother, announced in 2022, was cut from the final film. This may have confused fans. Still, Elio has an 85% Rotten Tomatoes score and strong audience feedback. There’s hope it could rebound like Elemental.
Meanwhile, How to Train Your Dragon thrives on nostalgia. Playing in 4,373 North American theaters, it dominates Imax screens. Its global success proves remakes can win big. For Pixar, though, original stories like Elio face challenges in today’s market. Families often choose familiar franchises over new tales.
At AMERICA NEWS WORLD (visit us at america112.com), we track the latest entertainment trends. Our team dives into what makes movies click or flop. For more box office updates, check out AP News for detailed reports.
Box Office Data (June 20-22, 2025)
Rank
Movie
Weekend Gross (Domestic)
Global Total
1
How to Train Your Dragon
$37 million
$358.2 million
2
28 Years Later
$30 million
$60 million
3
Elio
$21 million
$35 million
4
Lilo & Stitch
$9.7 million
$910.3 million
5
Mission: Impossible
$6.6 million
