‘How to Train Your Dragon’ Soars Again as Pixar’s ‘Elio’ Falls Flat
The Juneteenth box office weekend brought sharp contrasts: Universal’s live-action ‘Dragon’ continues to fly high, while Pixar’s ‘Elio’ marks a historic low.
Universal Pictures’ live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon held strong at the domestic box office over the Juneteenth weekend, bringing in $36.57 million and retaining the top spot. Directed by Dean DeBlois, the film has now grossed $160.06 million domestically and $360 million globally. With a production budget of $150 million, it’s well on track to pass the half-billion mark worldwide.
Meanwhile, Pixar’s newest original feature Elio is facing a different story. Despite favorable reviews, 84% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 91% audience score, the film stumbled out of the gate with a domestic debut of just $20.84 million. That figure makes Elio the lowest-opening Pixar film in the studio’s history, even when adjusted for inflation.
Industry observers point to a mix of factors behind Elio’s weak performance. Marketing challenges, multiple delays, and a lack of narrative clarity likely contributed to low turnout, despite the presence of talent like Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldaña, and Brad Garrett in the cast. The global total sits at $35 million, far from what would be needed to recoup its $150 million budget.
Other titles also competed for audience attention over the holiday weekend. Lilo & Stitch earned $9.73 million more, bringing its domestic tally to $386.78 million and inching closer to a billion-dollar global gross. Meanwhile, Danny Boyle’s 28 Years Later opened with $30 million domestically and $60 million globally, making it the director’s most successful premiere to date.
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning also continued its run with a weekend gross of $6.45 million, pushing its domestic earnings to $178.28 million. Despite a crowded box office, these familiar franchises show continued drawing power, especially when supported by recognizable IPs or directors with loyal fanbases.
The Juneteenth holiday on June 19 brought a modest uplift in weekday box office figures, echoing a broader trend seen across entertainment sectors, including Broadway, which saw grosses rise by as much as $43 million. However, the increase wasn’t enough to save underperforming titles like Elio.
While How to Train Your Dragon (2025) thrives and other franchises hold firm, Elio’s struggle may prompt Disney and Pixar to reevaluate their release strategies for original content, especially in a market increasingly driven by remakes and sequels.
