NEW YORK. Universal Pictures’ live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon held firm at the top of the North American box office over the weekend, earning $37 million in its second week despite the debut of major releases like Pixar’s Elio and Sony’s 28 Years Later, according to studio estimates released Sunday.
The film, directed by Dean DeBlois, is a reboot of the popular DreamWorks animated franchise and has now grossed $358.2 million worldwide. The strong performance has already sparked plans for a sequel to the $150 million production, which tells the story of a Viking boy and his dragon.
Pixar’s Elio, on the other hand, opened to a disappointing $21 million — the lowest debut ever for the studio. Known for blockbuster summer releases like Toy Story 4, WALL-E, and Cars, Pixar faced a tough weekend, with Elio receiving only modest attention despite decent reviews and an “A” CinemaScore from audiences.
“This is a weak opening for a new Pixar movie,” said David A. Gross of the film consulting firm FranchiseRe. “These would be solid numbers for another original animation film, but by Pixar’s standard, the opening is well below average.”
Elio, a sci-fi adventure about a boy who dreams of meeting aliens, underwent several production changes. Originally scheduled for early 2024, it shifted creative leadership mid-development, with Domee Shi (Turning Red) and Madeline Sharafian taking over. Actress America Ferrera, who had been announced as voicing Elio’s mother in 2022, does not appear in the final version, following changes to the storyline.
The film also struggled internationally, earning just $14 million across 43 territories, despite a reported production budget of at least $150 million. It follows a mixed performance period for Pixar, which began to rebound from the pandemic slump with 2023’s Elemental ($496.4 million globally) and Inside Out 2 in 2024, which became its biggest hit at $1.7 billion worldwide.
Before Elio, Pixar’s lowest-opening film was Elemental with $29.6 million, although that title later gained traction and performed strongly. Whether Elio can follow a similar path remains uncertain.
The weekend also saw the return of a familiar horror franchise, with Sony’s 28 Years Later opening at $30 million. Directed by Danny Boyle and written by Alex Garland, the film continues the saga that began with 28 Days Later in 2002 and its 2007 sequel 28 Weeks Later. The latest installment features a new cast, including Alfie Williams, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, and Ralph Fiennes, and follows a 12-year-old venturing beyond the safety of his village nearly three decades after the original outbreak.
Critics responded positively, with a 90% “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes, though audiences gave it a modest “B” CinemaScore. A sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, directed by Nia DaCosta, is already in development. Internationally, 28 Years Later also brought in $30 million from 59 markets.
Meanwhile, Disney’s Lilo & Stitch live-action remake continued to perform steadily, earning $9.7 million in its fifth weekend for a global total of $910.3 million.
A24’s Materialists, a romantic drama starring Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans, also held up well in its second week, adding $5.8 million to bring its total earnings to $24 million.
Next weekend is shaping up to be another competitive frame for theaters, with the premieres of F1, a racing drama from Apple and Warner Bros., and Megan 2.0 from Universal.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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