Box Office: 'How to Train Your Dragon' takes $43M

Weekend of March 26 – 28, 2010

DreamWorks Animation’s 3D adventure “How to Train Your Dragon” slammed its competition at the North American box office this weekend with a decent $43.3 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates. It’s not a bad start for the animated flick, but a sudden hike in 3D ticket prices may have hurt its potential weekend gross a little.

“Dragon” is now playing at 4,055 locations, but the film brought in less than DreamWorks’ “Monsters vs. Aliens” last year. “Aliens” played at only 4,011 locations but managed to grab $60 million during opening weekend. “Dragon” follows a young Viking who bonds with an injured dragon and swears to protect him from the people of his tribe.

Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland” dropped to second place, earning another $17.3 million. Disney’s 3D version of the classic tale lifted its domestic gross to $293.1 million after an incredibly successful three-week run. The film is currently playing at 3,384 locations.

Meanwhile, new entry “Hot Tub Time Machine” debuted at No. 3 with $13.6 million from ticket sales at 2,754 sites. Starring Craig Robinson, John Cusack, Clark Duke and Rob Corddry, the comedy follows four friends who visit a ski resort to party hard and end up being transported back to 1986 after a wild night in a hot tub.

At No. 4, “The Bounty Hunter” collected $12.4 million, lifting its cumulative gross to $38.8 million after one week in release. Following in fifth place with $10 million was Thor Freudenthal’s family film “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” which brought its total haul to $35.7 million.   

“She’s Out of My League” stayed put at No. 6, this weekend, generating $3.5 million for a domestic total of $25.6 million. At No. 7, Paul Greengrass’ “Green Zone” picked up $3.3 million, bringing its cume to $30.4 million. Martin Scorsese’s “Shutter Island” earned $3.1 million, enough for No. 8. The thriller starring Leonardo DiCaprio reached a total of $120.6 million.

At the bottom of the top 10, “Repo Men” finished the weekend with $3 million in ninth place, lifting its domestic total gross to $11.3 million only. Following at No. 10 with $2.2 million was Fox’s comedy “Our Family Wedding,” which brought its cumulative gross to $16.7 million.

Also, in case you missed it, James Cameron’s “Avatar” left the top 10 this weekend. The sci-fi hit flick finished at No. 11 with a three-day gross of $2 million, bringing its total haul to a superb $740.4 million.

Source: Box Office Mojo (www.boxofficemojo.com)