This summer, the trend of live-action remakes of beloved animated classics has taken the entertainment world by storm. Despite initial concerns that the disappointing performance of Disney’s Snow White would signal the end of this approach, Lilo & Stitch emerged as a surprising blockbuster during Memorial Day weekend. Subsequently, it has been overtaken by the anticipated release of How to Train Your Dragon, which according to Deadline, is on track for an impressive opening weekend of approximately $80 million. This figure exceeds our earlier predictions by about $20 million. Notably, this latest live-action reboot is set to outperform any previous film in the franchise, with the current highest opener being How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, which debuted at $55 million. Interestingly, while it achieved the highest opening, it ultimately became the lowest-grossing installment, amassing a domestic total of $160 million compared to the $177 million earned by the second film and the $217 million garnered by the original.
The projected $80 million opening weekend underscores the soundness of Universal’s decision to approve a sequel even before the film’s release. This opening is set to mark the largest of Gerard Butler’s career, surpassing his previous record with 300, which opened at $70 million (though when adjusted for inflation, it remains his most successful film). In contrast, Lionsgate’s spin-off, John Wick: Ballerina, is experiencing a rough second weekend, with projections indicating a steep decline of around 65%, resulting in a disappointing $8 million for the weekend. This performance is likely to be overshadowed by both Lilo & Stitch and Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. Additionally, Materialists is shaping up to be A24’s most successful film in a considerable time, with an estimated $12 million weekend. While this is commendable for a film targeting an adult audience, the B-minus CinemaScore raises some concerns, as viewers attracted by positive buzz may be caught off guard by its darker themes.
Stay tuned for our comprehensive roundup tomorrow!
