How to Train Your Dragon Opens at #1, Sets Franchise Debut Record

February 24, 2019

Universal’s third film in the series, How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, opened at the #1 position at the domestic box office with a $55.5 million debut. Even when factoring in inflation adjustments, this marks the best domestic opening for the series by besting the first movie’s $43.7 million haul and the second movie’s $49.45 million opening. Internationally the film is doing gangbusters as well, bringing in $216.9 million and giving it a $274.9 million worldwide.

Alita: Battle Angel fell to second place for the weekend, bringing in an estimated $12 million in America for a domestic total of $60.68 million. The film is faring slightly better overseas, bringing in over $100 million internationally and giving it a global total of $160 million.

WB’s The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part slipped into third place, adding just $10 million to its total for a domestic haul of $83.6 million, not so awesome compared to the first movie which had brought in $183 million in the same time frame. Internationally the film isn’t fairing as well either, adding just $10 million to its total for an international haul of $52 million.

MGM’s Fighting with My Family opened in wide release this weekend, landing in fourth place with a domestic total of $8 million. The Sundance debut was produced on a budget of $11 million so it’s on its way to a nice mark in the green after a few more weeks of play.

WB’s Isn’t It Romantic fell into fifth place with $7.5 million, slipping 47% from last weekend. The meta-romantic comedy starring Rebel Wilson has brought in $33.7 million at the domestic box office.

Elsewhere at the box office:

The Upside will likely cross the $100 million mark domestically tomorrow, now sitting at $99.74 million.
Happy Death Day 2U is sitting at 50% of the first film’s haul in the same time frame, bringing in $21.6 million to date compared to the first film that managed $42.2 million in twelve days of release.
Of the Best Picture nominees still in theaters, Green Book had the best weekend with a $2 million haul.