Dean DeBlois’ live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon has reached a significant milestone, approaching $600 million globally and surpassing $250 million domestically after a month in theaters worldwide. This success comes amid declining interest in live-action adaptations of animated films, securing its place as one of the highest-grossing films in global box office history.
The film’s overseas earnings of $326 million have already outpaced Alita: Battle Angel, the 2019 sci-fi adaptation produced by James Cameron and directed by Robert Rodriguez. With this momentum, How to Train Your Dragon is expected to overtake its own franchise’s second installment, becoming the highest-grossing entry in the series by the time its theatrical run ends.
Comparing Alita: Battle Angel’s Box Office Performance
Alita: Battle Angel was made with a production budget reportedly up to $200 million and amassed around $405 million worldwide, a figure that ultimately was not enough to greenlight a sequel despite James Cameron’s initial plans. The film, starring Rosa Salazar and an ensemble cast including Christoph Waltz, Mahershala Ali, Jennifer Connelly, Ed Skrein, and Eiza Gonzalez, received mixed critical reception and holds a 61% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The critical consensus noted that while Alita’s story struggled to keep pace with its visual effects, fans of futuristic sci-fi action could still find enjoyment in the film. Cameron’s commitment to the project extended back to the early 2000s and marked an ambitious undertaking given his history directing blockbuster hits like Titanic and Avatar.
Challenges Faced by Alita: Battle Angel and Future Prospects
James Cameron had envisioned multiple sequels, teasing titles such as Alita: Fallen Angel and Alita: Avenging Angel. However, the initial film’s performance was short of the current threshold for success, which is around $400 million globally, leaving its financial outcome barely break-even in theaters. Cameron remains active in the industry, with a third Avatar installment, Avatar: Fire and Ash, set for release later this year.
Though Alita: Battle Angel did not ignite the box office as hoped, its presence sparked interest in state-of-the-art filmmaking efforts. In contrast, How to Train Your Dragon’s theatrical run continues to expand its success, suggesting a stronger connection with audiences for this particular live-action adaptation.
Notable Cast in Both Productions
How to Train Your Dragon features Mason Thames as Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III and Nico Parker portraying Astrid Hofferson, bringing to life familiar characters from the animated franchise. Meanwhile, Alita: Battle Angel showcased a diverse and well-known lineup with Rosa Salazar in the lead role.
