If How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World truly represents the end of the story for Toothless, Hiccup and the rest of the residents of Berk, then they and their story are going out on a high. The third Dragon entry launched to a franchise record of $55.5 million this weekend.
Taking advantage of Oscar weekend, a time when studios typically have other things on their mind, The Hidden World was the only new wide release across the three days and saw a boost as parents looked for something new in kid-friendly entertainment.
Last week's top spot champ, Alita: Battle Angel, didn't enjoy the usual sort of legs seen by films from James Cameron (who only co-wrote and produced here). It fell to second place with $12 million, and has hit $60.6 million thus far in the States. The Lego Movie 2 slipped to third on $10 million, no doubt impacted by the new 'toon in town. Wrestling biopic Fighting With My Family expanded its screen count and added $8 million for a current US total of $8.2 million in fourth place. Rounding out the top five we have rom-com satire Isn't It Romantic, down from third on $7.5 million.
What Men Want was sixth with $5.2 million, ahead of Happy Death Day 2U at seventh, earning $4.9 million. Cold Pursuit dropped a couple of places to eighth and $3.3 million, with The Upside down to ninth via $3.2 million. At 10th, new entry Run The Race (the latest faith-based film), did decently in more limited release, taking in $2.2 million from 852 screens.
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