The remake hits three major milestones in one weekend, powering Thames and the latest installment to box-office glory.

A Leap in the Franchise

November 3, 2025: Mason Thames, who leads the live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon as Hiccup, is enjoying a rare feat: three major box-office milestones were crossed in a single weekend. The film not only dominated its weekend release, it also pushed the franchise into new territory — setting new records and elevating Thames’ profile in Hollywood.

Big Numbers, Bigger Impact

The film opened domestically with a strong haul and simultaneously posted a booming global total, marking one of the highest-grossing remakes of the year. It surpassed past franchise benchmarks (including the 2010 original and the 2014 sequel) and moved past the $350 million global mark in just its second weekend. Already the live-action version has claimed its spot as the highest-grossing film in the franchise to date.

What the Milestones Mean

The “three big milestones” hitting in one weekend include:

Franchise Best Domestic Opening – the remake’s debut outpaced any prior live-action or animated instalment of the series.

Global Milestone Surpassed – crossing the $350 million-plus mark worldwide in an early weekend frame.

New Franchise Record – the film overtook prior entries in the series in overall gross, making it the most successful movie in the franchise thus far.

For Thames — who is still very young and relatively new in lead film roles — being at the centre of such a commercial success builds momentum, opens doors to further projects (including the confirmed sequel ), and positions him as a young actor to watch.

Why It Matters in the Bigger Picture

Live-action remakes often face skepticism, but this film’s performance underscores that they can succeed when executed with care, star power and audience appetite. For the studio, it signals that the franchise still has significant earning power. For Thames, it is a strong foundation for future career growth. And for cinema-goers, it proves the storytelling of Berk and dragons still resonates in refreshed form.

What’s Next for Thames and the Dragons

With the sequel already scheduled for June 11, 2027, the momentum from this weekend’s milestone surge sets the stage for an even bolder follow-up. Thames is now not only the face of this reboot, but the hinge upon which the next chapter will turn. Audiences and industry alike will be watching how he leverages this success into the next phase of his career — and how the dragon saga continues to roar.