Why is Universal making a live-action ‘How to Train Your Dragon’? These charts may explain

Why is Universal making a live-action ‘How to Train Your Dragon’? These charts may explain


Still from Universal and Dreamworks’ “How to Train Your Dragon 2.”

Universal | Dreamworks

Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation are taking a page out of Disney’s playbook.

For the last decade, the Walt Disney Company has been transforming its classic animated features into live-action theatrical and streaming features. Earlier this week, Universal said it would be doing the same for one of its own animated franchises: How to Train Your Dragon.

The live-action adaptation based on the 2010 film about the friendship between a young man and his dragon is due in theaters March 14, 2025.

Dean DeBlois, who wrote and directed all three films in the animated trilogy, is on tap to write and direct the live-action version. The films’ story was based on the best-selling book series by Cressida Cowell.

Universal’s decision to translate the successful animated franchise to live action has precedent.

Since 2010, Disney has released 11 theatrical live-action remakes — from “Alice in Wonderland” to “Cruella” — generating more than $8.6 billion at the global box office, according to data from Comscore. Three additional films — “Mulan,” “Lady and the Tramp” and “Pinocchio” — were sent straight to streaming service Disney+.

Disney has had varied success with these theatrical releases.

Seven of the remakes have generated more than $500 million globally, and four topped the $1 billion mark, including “The Lion King,” which tallied more than $1.65 billion in 2019.

Others, such as “Dumbo” and “Alice Through the Looking Glass,” were less popular in theaters. Additionally, Disney released “Cruella” at a time when pandemic restrictions and public concern meant many people avoided going to the cinema.

Disney continues to bet on these films. “The Little Mermaid” is due in theaters May 26, and “Peter Pan and Wendy,” “Snow White” and “Mufasa: The Lion King” are due out in the next 12 to 18 months.

What is, perhaps, most notable about Disney’s live-action remakes is how much of the ticket sales were generated from international markets. This is something Universal is likely also keyed into when creating the live-action version of “How to Train Your Dragon.”

The How to Train Your Dragon franchise has done well domestically but outperformed in foreign regions. While the first film had a fairly even split between domestic and international, the two sequels both saw around 70% of ticket sales from markets outside the U.S. and Canada, according to data from Comscore.

So Universal not only has proof that live-action remakes can dazzle at the domestic box office, it also can see they will likely capture international audiences as well.

Disclosure: NBCUniversal is the parent company of Universal Pictures and CNBC. NBCUniversal owns DreamWorks and distributes the “How to Train Your Dragon” films.



Source

Subway taps Burger King veteran as next CEO
Business

Subway taps Burger King veteran as next CEO

Jonathan Fitzpatrick, CEO of Subway. Courtesy: Subway Sandwich chain Subway has tapped former Burger King executive Jonathan Fitzpatrick as the company’s latest CEO, effective July 28. The announcement on Monday follows a months-long search for former CEO John Chidsey’s successor. Chidsey retired at the end of 2024 after five years with the company. His tenure […]

Read More
Southwest Airlines sets a date for seat assignment launch, lays out new boarding order
Business

Southwest Airlines sets a date for seat assignment launch, lays out new boarding order

A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 airplane departs from Harry Reid International Airport as another airplane taxis in Las Vegas, Nevada, on March 15, 2025. Kevin Carter | Getty Images News | Getty Images Southwest Airlines passengers will fly in assigned seats for the first time on Jan. 27, the carrier told CNBC. Customers can start […]

Read More
LVMH-backed investor group takes 20% stake in private jet company Flexjet
Business

LVMH-backed investor group takes 20% stake in private jet company Flexjet

A FlexJet Gulfstream G450 airplane approaches San Diego International Airport for a landing on May 9, 2025 in San Diego, California. Kevin Carter | Getty Images News | Getty Images An investment group led by LVMH’s private equity arm is buying 20% of private jet company Flexjet, marking the latest push by the luxury industry […]

Read More