Box Office Numbers: ’28 Years later’ Surprises, ‘Elio‘ Faces Challenges

Sony’s “28 Years Later” is exceeding expectations at the domestic box office, while Pixar’s “Elio” is facing a potentially record-breaking low debut. Simultaneously occurring, “How to Train Your dragon” continues its reign at the top of the North American charts.

’28 Years Later’ Exceeds Projections

“28 Years Later” is off to a strong start,projected to open with over $30 million,surpassing initial forecasts. This is a positive sign for the $60 million production, which Sony secured in a competitive bidding war. The film reunites director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland, revisiting the zombie thriller concept from “28 Days Later” (2002), though this installment arrives 23 years later. A sequel, “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple,” directed by Nia dacosta, is already filmed and slated for release in January 2026. The fate of a potential third film hinges on the box office performance of this current release.

Reviews for “28 Years Later” have been largely positive, praising the new cast featuring Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ralph Fiennes, and Alfie Williams. However,audience reception is more divided,with CinemaScore polling early moviegoers to a “B” grade. This score is not uncommon for horror films, which often receive lower grades.

Did You Know? cinemascore is a market research firm that surveys moviegoers on their viewing experience, assigning letter grades to films based on audience feedback.

Pixar’s ‘Elio’ Faces Uphill Battle

In contrast, “Elio” earned $9 million from Friday and preview screenings across 3,750 locations. This marks a notable downturn for Pixar, which celebrated its second-biggest North American opening just a year ago with “Inside Out 2” ($155 million), now the second-highest-grossing animated feature ever.Projections indicate that “Elio” could have Pixar’s lowest domestic debut, falling behind “Elemental‘s” $29 million opening in 2023.

While “Elemental” recovered to become a modest success with $484 million globally and a 5.22x multiplier, “Elio,” despite better reviews and an “A” CinemaScore, faces a challenging start. The film’s production cost was $150 million.

‘How to Train Your Dragon‘ Continues to Soar

Universal’s “How to Train Your Dragon” remains the top performer in its second weekend, earning an additional $10.8 million on Friday. The film is projected to earn $35.7 million in its second weekend, a 58% drop from its opening. Its total domestic gross is expected to reach $160 million within its first 10 days,making it the seventh-highest-grossing North American release of the year.

other Box Office Highlights

Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch,” another live-action remake, secured fourth place, adding $3 million on Friday. In its fifth weekend, the PG-rated comedy is projected to earn $10 million over the three-day frame, bringing its domestic total to $387 million. This weekend, it surpasses “harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: part II” ($382 million) to become the 55th-highest-grossing domestic film of all time.

Paramount’s “Mission: Impractical – The Final Reckoning” maintains a strong hold, projecting a 33% drop in its fifth weekend. The Tom Cruise action sequel is expected to reach $178.9 million domestically after the weekend, surpassing its 2023 predecessor, “Dead Reckoning,” which finished with $171 million.

A24’s “Materialists” is showing a decent hold in sixth place, projecting a sophomore outing of about $6 million, which would mark a 45% drop from its opening. Domestic total should hit $24 million through 10 days.

Magenta Light Studios’ “Bride Hard,” starring Rebel Wilson, opened in 1,165 locations but is struggling to reach $1 million in its debut due to poor reviews and a “B-” CinemaScore.

Pro Tip: Keep an eye on CinemaScore grades as an indicator of long-term box office potential. While critical acclaim is critically important, audience reception frequently enough dictates a film’s overall success.

Weekend Box Office projections

Entertainment

Twister’ Sequel & ‘Elio’ Box Office Projections Revealed

by Julia Evans – Entertainment Editor June 20, 2025

written by Julia Evans – Entertainment Editor

“`html

Live-Action Remakes dominate Summer Movie Season: ‘How to Train Your Dragon‘ Soars, ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Nears $1 Billion

Table of Contents

• Live-Action Remakes dominate Summer Movie Season: ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ Soars, ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Nears $1 Billion
  • ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ Remake Opens Strong
  • ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Continues Box Office Success
  • Upcoming Summer Movie Releases
    • Summer 2025 Movie Release schedule
  • The Enduring Appeal of Remakes
  • Frequently Asked Questions About Summer Movie Releases
    • What makes a movie a “summer blockbuster?”
    • How do studios decide which movies to remake?
    • What role does social media play in the success of a movie?

The summer movie season is heating up with the arrival of highly anticipated live-action remakes. Universal’s *How to train Your Dragon* is taking flight at the box office, while Disney’s *Lilo & stitch* continues its remarkable run, nearing the coveted billion-dollar milestone.

‘How to Train Your Dragon’ Remake Opens Strong

the live-action remake of *How to Train Your Dragon* has made a meaningful impact, opening to $197.8 million worldwide. A ample portion of this revenue, $114 million, originated from the international market, with key contributions from Mexico, the UK, Ireland, and China.

Did You Know? The original *How to Train Your Dragon* film franchise includes three animated movies and several TV series, maintaining a strong presence in popular culture.

The positive reception from both critics and audiences, coupled with the enduring popularity of the *How to Train Your Dragon* franchise, has fueled the film’s success.The studio has already greenlit a sequel slated for release in June 2027.

‘Lilo & Stitch’ Continues Box Office Success

Disney’s *Lilo & stitch* remake continues to draw audiences,adding another $46.6 million globally, bringing its total to $858 million. The international market contributed $31.3 million, while domestic earnings reached $15.5 million. If the current trend continues, *Lilo & Stitch* is projected to become the first film of 2025 to surpass the billion-dollar mark.

pro Tip: Keep an eye on international box office numbers, as they often play a crucial role in a film’s overall success.

Upcoming Summer Movie Releases

*How to Train Your Dragon* and *Lilo & Stitch* will soon be joined by Pixar’s *Elio*. Later in June, audiences can anticipate the release of *M3GAN 2.0* and *F1*. July will bring *Jurassic World Rebirth*, followed by *Superman* and *Fantastic Four: First Steps*.

Summer 2025 Movie Release schedule