The live-action reimagining of How to Train Your Dragon has roared into cinemas with a strong debut, collecting an impressive Rs 4.88 crore on Day 1 at the Indian box office. Released on June 13, 2025, in IMAX 3D, the film has struck a chord with audiences across languages.The English version alone brought in approximately Rs 2.96 crore, while the Hindi-dubbed edition followed with Rs 1.1 crore, according to early estimates on Sacnilk.com. The Tamil and Telugu versions also performed well, earning Rs 36 lakh and Rs 46 lakh respectively.Globally, the film is outperforming projections, opening with a stellar $82.5 million across 4,356 theatres in North America—marking the biggest opening weekend in the How to Train Your Dragon franchise. Friday alone contributed $35.5 million, including $11.1 million from previews. With Father’s Day approaching, weekend numbers are expected to climb further, fuelled by the film’s core father-son narrative.This launch places the film as the fourth highest opening weekend of the year in the US, behind Minecraft, Lilo & Stitch, and Captain America: Brave New World.Critics and audiences alike are responding positively to the film, which currently boasts a 99% Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes. Directed by Dean DeBlois—returning to helm the franchise he helped shape—the remake retains the heart of the original animated classic while introducing a new visual depth through live-action storytelling.Mason Thames stars as Hiccup, the young Viking inventor whose encounter with the elusive Night Fury, Toothless, sets off a journey of compassion and courage. BAFTA nominee Nico Parker brings a fiery presence as Astrid, while Gerard Butler reprises his role as Stoick the Vast, Hiccup’s formidable father and chief of Berk.How to Train Your Dragon is a coming-of-age story that transcends generations. Hiccup’s decision to spare a dragon’s life leads to an unlikely friendship—one that challenges centuries of fear and conflict, and ultimately redefines the bond between humans and dragons.With strong box office numbers and glowing audience reception, the film is poised to become one of the summer’s breakout hits, both in India and internationally.
