Universal’s live-action ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ took flight at the global box office this weekend, racking up an impressive $197.8 million worldwide. The international haul accounted for $114.1 million across 81 overseas markets, including previews. While slightly under initial weekend estimates, it still outpaced pre-release expectations.

Directed by Dean DeBlois, the writer and director of the acclaimed animated saga, has brought the world to life for its big-screen adaptation. Globally, it now ranks as the fourth-largest opening of 2025, trailing only ‘Minecraft,’ ‘Lilo & Stitch,’ and China’s ‘Ne Zha 2.’ Among live-action remakes, it holds the seventh-best debut, behind titles like ‘The Lion King,’ ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ and ‘Aladdin.’

Internationally, the film had the fourth biggest launch of the year for a Hollywood release, behind ‘Lilo & Stitch,’ ‘Minecraft,’ and ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.’

Universal’s international rollout began with previews at over 6,600 locations and 13,000 screens, including 339 IMAX sites. South Korea led the way with an early launch on June 6, followed by 10 more markets aligned with the Whit Monday holiday. Australia and China opened without previews later in the week.

Excluding China and previews, HTTYD's international performance aligns closely with ‘Mufasa,’ slightly behind ‘Aladdin’ and ‘The Jungle Book,’ but stronger than ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3’ and ‘The Little Mermaid’ in comparable markets.

Mexico led international markets with $14M, the best start ever for the franchise and third-largest debut of the year in the region. It topped ‘Sonic 3,’ ‘Little Mermaid,’ and ‘Mufasa’ (excluding previews).

In the UK, HTTYD scored $11.4M, marking Universal’s fourth No.1 debut of the year. Saturday set a franchise record, outperforming films like ‘Sonic 3’ and ‘Jumanji.’

China saw a surge on Saturday, contributing to a $11.2M debut without previews. It topped the full runs of ‘Sonic 3’ and ‘Wonka,’ and had the highest Maoyan and TPP scores (9.5) of any Hollywood release this year. Friday delivered the biggest non-holiday studio debut of 2025.

Disney’s ‘Lilo & Stitch’ continued its stellar run, reaching $858.4M globally by Sunday. Its international total sits at $492M, with a weekend take of $31.3M (-54%).

Paramount/Skydance’s ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’ crossed the $500M global milestone, landing at $506.8M with $340.5M from international markets. The film brought in $21M in its fourth weekend, playing in 66 territories. The film has also made $73.3M from IMAX, the franchise’s highest ever in the format.

Lionsgate’s ‘Ballerina’ earned $13.5M in its second weekend from 84 markets, bringing the international total to $49.7M* and global to $91.5M, nearing the $100M milestone.

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