This weekend’s box office delivered a tale of two animated films with vastly different fortunes. Disney’s new sci-fi animated feature Elio opened to a modest $22 million domestically, falling short of industry expectations. Meanwhile, How to Train Your Dragon, now in its second weekend, continued to dominate with a strong $45 million haul, proving the franchise’s enduring popularity and solid audience appeal.
🔥 How to Train Your Dragon’s Continued Success
The latest installment of DreamWorks’ How to Train Your Dragon franchise shows remarkable staying power, bringing in $45 million during its second weekend. While this represents a normal drop from the opening weekend’s $60 million-plus, the film’s performance remains robust. Cumulative domestic box office now tops $150 million, with international earnings pushing the global total beyond $300 million.
Critics and audiences alike have lauded the film for its breathtaking animation, compelling new story arcs, and the emotional depth that has become a hallmark of the series. The combination of nostalgic elements and fresh creative energy has helped it maintain a broad appeal, especially among families.
Industry insiders note that the film’s success is also aided by its strategic summer release date, which capitalizes on school holidays and the absence of major competing family titles.
😕 Elio’s Tepid Start and Challenges
Disney’s Elio—directed by Adrian Molina, known for his work on Coco—was anticipated to be a strong contender during the summer movie season. However, the sci-fi comedy’s $22 million opening across roughly 3,800 theaters signals a lukewarm reception.
Several factors contribute to Elio’s underwhelming launch:
- Niche Premise: The story centers on an 11-year-old boy accidentally launched into space and mistaken for an intergalactic ambassador. While inventive, the concept may have been too abstract or unfamiliar to attract a broad audience.
- Marketing & Awareness: Compared to other summer blockbusters, Elio suffered from less aggressive marketing. Trailers and promotions didn’t generate the viral buzz needed to energize family viewers.
- Competition: How to Train Your Dragon’s strong hold on the family demographic and general moviegoers left little room for Elio to grow in its opening weekend.
Analysts suggest that Elio will need positive word-of-mouth and international market support to sustain its theatrical run.
📈 Box Office Breakdown (Domestic)
| Rank | Title | Weekend Gross | Total Gross | Theaters | Per Theater Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | How to Train Your Dragon | $45 million | $150 million | ~4,000 | $11,250 |
| 2 | Elio | $22 million | $22 million | ~3,800 | $5,789 |
| 3 | Other Releases | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies |
🌎 International Box Office
While domestic numbers tell one story, Elio’s international reception could be a lifeline. Early reports indicate moderate interest in European and Latin American markets, though it faces strong competition from local releases.
How to Train Your Dragon continues to perform well globally, especially in China and parts of Europe, where the franchise has a loyal fan base.
🎬 What’s Next for Both Films?
- Elio: Its box office trajectory will largely depend on critical reception and audience word-of-mouth over the next two weeks. Streaming or digital release timing may be accelerated if theatrical momentum slows.
- How to Train Your Dragon: Expected to remain a top family film through July, with strong merchandising and possible tie-ins boosting overall revenue.
