This weekend’s box office was a clear victory for DreamWorks, as How to Train Your Dragon soared to the top with a massive opening. Meanwhile, Lilo & Stitch held steady in its second weekend, and Materialists opened decently amid stiff competition. As for Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, its momentum appears to be slowing, while Ballerina struggles to keep pace in a crowded field.
How to Train Your Dragon Breathes Fire at the Box Office

DreamWorks’ highly anticipated How to Train Your Dragon live-action re-imagining roared into theaters with a stunning $83.7 million debut, easily securing the number one spot. The beloved franchise continues to prove its staying power with families and fans of all ages. Strong word of mouth and critical praise suggest a long and profitable run, especially with minimal direct competition in the family space over the next few weeks.
Lilo & Stitch Holds Strong

Lilo & Stitch added $15.5 million in its third weekend, bringing its domestic total to a strong $366 million. Though its drop was steeper than expected, the live-action adaptation remains a key win for Disney this summer, capitalizing on nostalgia and family appeal.
Materialists Off to a Smart Start

Materialists debuted with $12 million, a solid opening for an original romantic dramedy. With strong critical support and Celine Song’s rising reputation post-Past Lives, the film could build momentum in the coming weeks. If audiences connect with its mix of charm and introspection, it could prove to be one of the summer’s quieter success stories.
Mission: Impossible Struggles to Keep Pace

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning slipped to fourth place with $10.3 million. With a current domestic haul of $132.9 million, the film has underperformed compared to previous entries. Cruise remains reliable, but after nearly three decades.
Ballerina Struggles to Find Her Step

In fifth place, Ballerina brought in $9.4 million. While the John Wick spinoff had high hopes, the film’s sophomore week suggests lukewarm interest outside of core franchise fans. With middling reviews and strong competition, it’ll need strong international numbers and a streaming boost to justify future entries.
28 Years Later And Elio Debut Predictions
28 Years Later is tracking for a strong debut between $42 million and $50 million. With minimal direct competition in the horror-thriller space this weekend, it’s well-positioned to capitalize on nostalgia and genre appeal. Early projections suggest a likely opening of around $48 million, assuming word-of-mouth holds and adult audiences show up for the long-awaited sequel.
Elio, on the other hand, is pacing for a softer start with projections between $27 million and $34 million. While Pixar still holds brand recognition, this original title is entering a crowded family market with little promotional push. With limited buzz and fierce competition for kids’ attention, Elio is likely to land closer to $29 million in its opening weekend.
As always, we’ll find out how the box office shapes up next week.
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