How to Train Your Dragon Tops US Weekend Box Office

The live-action remake of "How to Train Your Dragon" continues to dominate the North American box office, earning $37 million in its second weekend and amassing $358.2 million worldwide, with a sequel already in the works. Pixar's "Elio," however, opened to a disappointing $21-$24 million, marking its lowest debut ever and falling well short of projections despite a $150 million budget, signaling challenges for Pixar's original animated ventures. Danny Boyle's zombie thriller "28 Years Later" had a solid debut with around $30 million domestically and internationally, benefiting from strong cast recognition and international appeal. Critics and analysts note that family audiences are gravitating more towards remakes like "How to Train Your Dragon" and "Lilo & Stitch," while original Pixar films are struggling to draw significant attention post-pandemic. The mixed box office results highlight a changing landscape where brand familiarity and franchise revivals currently outperform new original animated stories. Despite "Elio's" struggles, Disney's overall slate remains mixed, with some hits like "Lilo & Stitch" balancing less successful releases.