The idea may seem ludicrous. Less than six years after its last theatrical release, the animated How to Train Your Dragon saga is already getting a live-action treatment. Disney, which has made the process its trademark, used to tackle its older films as a chance to convince a new generation of viewers that its catalog was full of captivating universes. An update of classics that might be inaccessible to younger viewers wary of seeing films with 2D animation and an outdated style.
However, the How to Train Your Dragon saga was launched in 2010 and its last foray into theaters was in 2019 with The Hidden World. Did Universal and Dreamworks rush into this live-action remake? Is it really necessary? Is the public interested?
These are all doubts that the film's launch figures in the United States dismiss out of hand. For its first weekend, Dean Deblois' film surpassed expectations and established itself as the best opening of the entire brand. Far ahead of animation, How to Train Your Dragon proves that audiences don't (always) shun live-action.
How to Train Your Dragon takes flight
According to forecasts, How to Train Your Dragon should end its first weekend with $83.7 million in the United States alone. This is more than last week's estimates; the film is doing very well in its home market. This is by far the best launch for the franchise, ahead of the third installment and its $55 million in 2019. It could be the fourth strongest opening in the United States in 2025, behind Minecraft, Lilo & Stitch and Captain America: Brave New World.
Dreamworks and Universal's strategy seems to be paying off, both in terms of revenue and critics. On Allociné, for example, the film has a solid average of 3.2 stars from the press, compared to 4.3 for the public. On Rotten Tomatoes, How to Train Your Dragon is certified “Fresh” with 77% of the votes from the press and 98% from the audience.
And in France?
Last Wednesday, How to Train Your Dragon largely dominated the ranking of new releases in France. It represented 73% of admissions with 70,000 spectators and an average per screening of 22. The previews were a resounding success since the film attracted 163,401 spectators before its release, allowing it to exceed 234,000 spectators on its first day of operation. The weekend will undoubtedly have benefited this family offering, which is investing in French cinemas before the summer holidays. It remains to be seen now if this success will be confirmed over time.
Universal and Dreamworks are convinced of this since they have already planned to dedicate a new film to Toothless and his sidekick Harold. The announcement was made last April, during CinemaCon in Las Vegas. The date is set for June 11, 2027.
0 Comments