This weekend’s box office battle showcased a fierce competition between Universal’s “How to Train Your Dragon” remake and two newcomers, Disney and Pixar’s “Elio” and Sony’s “28 Years Later.” Despite the fresh contenders, the dragon film soared to the top, maintaining its No. 1 position in North America.
- "How to Train Your Dragon" remains No. 1.
- "Elio" has worst Pixar opening ever.
- "28 Years Later" opens in second place.
- Original animation struggles post-pandemic.
- "Materialists" performs well in second weekend.
- Upcoming films crucial for summer box office.
“Elio,” with its intergalactic adventure theme, opened with a disappointing $21 million, marking Pixar’s weakest debut in modern history. Meanwhile, “28 Years Later” managed to secure second place with $30 million, but neither film could dethrone the dragon. As of June 22, 2025, the box office landscape remains dynamic, with audiences eager for fresh content.
The stark contrast in performance raises questions about Pixar’s future in theatrical releases. Will audiences continue to embrace original animated films, or are they now conditioned to expect them on streaming platforms?
- “Elio” recorded the lowest opening for Pixar, raising concerns about its future.
- “28 Years Later” aims to kickstart a new zombie trilogy, showing potential for franchise growth.
- “How to Train Your Dragon” has grossed over $160 million, proving brand strength remains vital.
- Upcoming films like “F1” and “Jurassic World: Rebirth” may revitalize the summer box office.
As we look ahead, the success of upcoming films will be pivotal in shaping the future of theatrical releases. Will studios adapt to audience preferences, or will they continue to rely on beloved franchises?