The 2025 box office is off to a thrilling start, and it’s not because of superheroes or space battles this time. Instead, two family-friendly live-action remakes are dominating theaters and raking in massive global earnings. How to Train Your Dragon soared into its debut with nearly $200 million globally, while Lilo & Stitch has continued its unstoppable run, now sitting at over $850 million worldwide.
What’s making these films so successful? It’s a mix of nostalgia, high production value, and heartwarming storytelling. Both movies have found their audiences — from kids seeing them for the first time to adults who grew up with the originals.
How to Train Your Dragon: A Sky-High Debut
Universal and DreamWorks’ live-action version of How to Train Your Dragon had a fantastic global launch, earning nearly $198 million in its first weekend. It made around $83 million in North America and added another $114 million from international markets. Some of the top-performing countries included Mexico, the UK, and China.
Directed by Dean DeBlois, who also led the original animated trilogy, this remake keeps the spirit of the original story alive. Fans of the franchise will instantly recognize the touching bond between Hiccup and Toothless, now brought to life in a visually stunning way. With a budget of around $150 million, the film is already looking like a major win — and a sequel is already planned for 2027.
Lilo & Stitch: Racing Toward $1 Billion
Disney’s Lilo & Stitch is proving to be one of the year’s biggest hits. After four weekends, it has passed $858 million globally and doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Over the last weekend alone, it earned over $31 million from more than 50 markets.
The movie reimagines the lovable alien Stitch and his bond with Lilo in a modern, heartfelt way that resonates with viewers of all ages. Disney blended practical effects with cutting-edge CGI to create an experience that feels both familiar and new. If it keeps its momentum, Lilo & Stitch could easily become the first film of 2025 to cross the $1 billion mark — a major accomplishment for a PG-rated family film.
Why These Remakes Are Winning Big
It’s not just luck. These two films succeed because they take beloved stories and update them for today’s audiences without losing what made them special in the first place. Families are showing up in large numbers, proving that there’s still strong demand for feel-good, character-driven movies that everyone can enjoy.
Both films also benefited from great timing and strong word of mouth. How to Train Your Dragon premiered in a relatively quiet box office window, while Lilo & Stitch built steady buzz week after week. Their success suggests that audiences are more than ready for live-action remakes done right.
Critical and Fan Reactions: What the Buzz Says
Both remakes have been well-received. How to Train Your Dragon earned high audience scores and is being praised for staying true to its roots while offering breathtaking visuals. Viewers have especially highlighted the emotional depth and believable human-dragon relationship at the heart of the film.
Meanwhile, Lilo & Stitch is getting love for its heartfelt message, humor, and cultural respect. It’s scored strong ratings from both critics and audiences, with particular praise for the performances and updated visuals. The combination of laughter and emotion is clearly hitting home with viewers.
A Bigger Message for Hollywood
The strong performance of these remakes sends a loud message to the film industry: when done with care, nostalgia sells — and it sells big. These movies offer an important lesson. Rather than rushing out reboots with little heart, studios should focus on telling timeless stories with modern polish and emotional honesty.
In fact, the success of Lilo & Stitch stands in contrast to past Disney live-action attempts that failed to connect, like the much-criticized Snow White remake. Viewers clearly appreciate authenticity, emotional storytelling, and well-crafted updates.
What’s Next?
The future of live-action remakes looks bright. With the success of these two titles, studios will likely double down on similar projects. Sequels, spin-offs, and other animated classics could soon be getting the live-action treatment — especially if they follow the high-quality example set by How to Train Your Dragon and Lilo & Stitch.
Expect more announcements in the coming months as these films continue to break records and prove that well-made remakes can be box office gold.
Are you more excited about Toothless’s return or Stitch’s wild adventures? Share your thoughts in the comments below! And if you’re a fan of remakes done right, follow Our Blog for more updates, reviews, and behind-the-scenes insights from the world of cinema.
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FAQs – Live-Action Remake Box Office
Why are live-action remakes so popular in 2025?
They blend nostalgia with updated visuals and storytelling, making them appealing to both longtime fans and new audiences.
How much money did How to Train Your Dragon make during its opening weekend?
It earned nearly $198 million globally, including over $83 million in North America and $114 million from overseas markets.
Is Lilo & Stitch going to cross the $1 billion mark?
At its current pace, yes. With $858 million already earned, it’s on track to become 2025’s first billion-dollar movie.
Are these live-action remakes getting good reviews?
Yes, both films have received strong praise from critics and audiences alike for their visuals, emotional depth, and faithful storytelling.
What’s next for the How to Train Your Dragon franchise?
A live-action sequel has already been announced and is scheduled for release in 2027.
