How to Train Your Dragon Dominates South Korean Box Office Amid Decline

In an impressive display of box office resilience, DreamWorks' live-action adaptation of 'How to Train Your Dragon' has retained its position as the top-grossing film in South Korea over the weekend of June 13-15, 2025, earning approximately $2.3 million from 318,960 admissions. This performance brings the film's total earnings to $7.3 million after just two weeks of release, according to data from Kobis, the tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council.

The film's success comes at a time when the overall box office figures have seen a notable decline. The top ten films collectively generated $6 million over the weekend, a significant drop from the $10.8 million recorded the previous week. This downturn reflects a cooling trend in the South Korean box office, which has raised concerns among industry analysts about the sustainability of recent cinema attendance levels.

Korean film 'Hi-Five' managed to secure the second spot with $1.5 million and 228,720 admissions, bringing its cumulative total to $10.2 million. This film continues to perform well, signaling a robust domestic interest in local productions. Meanwhile, 'The Pact', a South Korean occult thriller, took third place with $848,542 from 119,136 admissions, accumulating a total of $4.1 million.

Despite the drop in overall revenue, 'How to Train Your Dragon' has been praised for its engaging storytelling and visual appeal, factors that likely contributed to its continued success at the box office. According to Dr. Emily Chan, a film studies professor at Yonsei University, "The film's blend of nostalgia for fans of the original series and its appeal to new audiences has positioned it well in the current market."

Other notable films in the top ten include 'Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,' which fell to fourth place, grossing $799,446 and bringing its total earnings to $22.8 million since its debut on May 17. Japanese animated feature 'Magic Candies' ranked fifth, with $82,204, increasing its total to $348,975. The sixth place was held by 'Lilo & Stitch', which earned $145,837 for a running total of $3.2 million.

The broader implications of this weekend's box office performance indicate a growing need for studios to innovate and adapt to changing audience preferences. According to Mark Lee, CEO of Seoul Cinemas, “The industry must explore new genres and formats to reignite interest among moviegoers. We are witnessing a shift in consumer behavior, and understanding these changes is crucial for our future.”

Looking ahead, experts suggest that the South Korean film industry will need to focus on both enhancing the cinematic experience and ensuring robust marketing campaigns to draw back audiences. As the landscape continues to evolve, the outcomes of upcoming releases will be closely monitored to assess whether this trend is a temporary fluctuation or a more significant shift in viewer habits.

In conclusion, while 'How to Train Your Dragon' maintains its dominance at the box office, the declining overall earnings present a challenge for the industry. The coming weeks will be critical in determining how stakeholders respond to these trends and adapt to the evolving entertainment landscape.